Our group was initially formed as a social and support opportunity for those who had been affected by a traumatic brain injury. It was a wonderful chance to connect with others who shared experiences, and we soon realized that in addition to having the same speech pathologist—who, along with another member, had started the group—we also faced similar challenges related to our acquired brain injury.
While our individual stories were unique, the obstacles we encountered in navigating our recovery were strikingly alike. One of the toughest challenges we faced was securing help from our insurance companies. We were subjected to exhaustive testing and stressful interviews, constantly needing to prove our legitimate need for the benefits we had paid for. This process often "added insult to injury" as we desperately tried to recover and rebuild our lives. Our strong desire for a fairer and more compassionate system fueled our journey into advocacy for brain injury survivors, as we fought for change and accountability from the insurance industry.
We have collaborated with McMaster University to develop a report, petitioned our MPs, and visited Queen's Park to voice our concerns. We have been fortunate to work alongside The Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, FAIR, and other organizations advocating for change.
While we will never stop advocating for the government to hold the industry accountable, and supporting others who seek to do the same, we began to feel we had much more to share that could directly assist those who suddenly find themselves in an unfamiliar and daunting situation due to a traumatic brain injury.
We hope our site will provide valuable help as you navigate life after a life-changing injury. Please read our stories, learn about our projects, and utilize our resources list.
Our current project, which we believe will be particularly helpful, is a personal guide. This guide is in the final stages and will soon be available on our site. We hope you can make use of it in whatever way benefits you, your family, and your personal situation.
