annual report 2016-2017€¦ · toronto police service disabilities community consultative...
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ANNUALREPORT2016-2017
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TABLEOFCONTENTSADVISORYCOMMITTEES......................................................................................................................................4
CONFERENCES......................................................................................................................................................5
BIST/OBIAMIX&MINGLE...................................................................................................................................6
5KHERORUN,WALK&ROLL2016.....................................................................................................................8
THIRDPARYFUNDRAISINGEVENTS..................................................................................................................12
BISTSTAFF.........................................................................................................................................................18
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ADVISORYCOMMITTEES
BISTisproudtohsitontwocommunityconsultativecommitteestobringtheperspectiveandvoicesofbraininjurytothetable,inanefforttocontinueadvocatingforbraininjurysurvivorsandtheirfamiliesrightsandneeds.
FormerBISTBoardMemberCynthiaSprigings,representsBISTonSpecialEducationAdvisoryCommittee(SEAC)attheTorontoDistrictSchoolBoard.ThiscommitteeisgovernedbytheMinistryofEducationandiscomprisedofrepresentativesfromthecommunity,localassociations,andtrusteeswhoareallselectedbytheBoardofEducation.
SEACmeetsmonthlytoobtaininformationonthespecialneedsofexceptionalstudentsandrespondtomatters
concerningspecialeducationprograms.Representativesarealsoavailableasaresourceandadvocateforparentsorguardiansofstudentswithexceptionalities.
TorontoPoliceServiceDisabilitiesCommunityConsultativeCommitteeBIST’sExecutiveDirectoralsositsonTheTorontoPoliceServiceDisabilitiesCommunityConsultativeCommittee’swhosemandateistoassistTorontoPoliceServiceinidentifying,prioritizingandworkingtowardssolutionstoissuesinpolicing.ThiscommitteeworkswiththePoliceandRepresentativesfromelevensocialserviceagencies,meetingoncepermonthatalternatinglocations.Areasofconsultationinclude:• Officertraining• Procedure/process• Publiceducation/awareness• Strategicplanning
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CONFERENCESThepresenceofaBISTtableatvariousconferencesthroughouttheyearhelpustoengagetheBrainInjuryCommunity,tolearnmoreaboutwhatothersofferandtoprovideinformationandeducationonBIST’ssupportsandservices.Thispastyear,BISTwashonouredtobeapartof:
• BrainInjuryCanadaConference,September2016• TorontoABIConference,November2016• UHNConference,February2017
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FUNDRAISINGEVENTS
BIST/OBIAMIX&MINGLE
Overthepast11yearstheBrainInjurySocietyofToronto(BIST)andtheOntarioBrainInjuryAssociation(OBIA)haveco-hostedtheBIST/OBIAMix&Mingle.Thisyear’sfabulouscelebrationof12incredibleyearsofpartnershipswithourABIcommunitytookplaceonWednesday,June8th,2016attheSteamWhistleBreweryinToronto,Ontario.Withmorethan700guestsinattendance,thisyearseventwasyetanotherhugesuccessinraisingawarenessforthisimportantcause,aswellasraisingfundstosupporttheongoingprogramsandservicesofboththeBrainInjurySocietyofTorontoandtheOntarioBrainInjuryAssociation. BIST’samazingMix&MingleCommitteeincludes:GregNeinstein(Chair),NickGurevich,RuthFernandes,EllieLapowich,AaronStiller,JoanneDriscoll,TerryWilcox,DarcyMerkur,DeenaGinsberg,ErikJoffe,JenniferNorquay,JordanAssaraf.Ahugethankyoutoalloursponsorsforyourgenerousdonationsandcontinuedsupport.
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SpecialThankstoourSponsors!
TitleSponsor:
PlatinumSponsor:
GoldSponsors
FoodSponsors
SilverSponsors:
• EdenDalesSocialWorkandCounselling•EssentiallyYou•FunctionAbilityRehabServices•GenesisCommunityRehab•GiffinKoerth•GlucksteinLawyers•GrowthEngineMedia•HendersonStructuredSettlements•HimelfarbProszanski,LLP•HowieSacksHenry,LLP•InnovativeCaseManagement•JordanM.AtinGuardianshipCounsel•Lee&Associates•MichelleCohen&Associates• AccessRehabInjuryClinic• AdairBarristers,LLP• Adapt-AbleDesignGroup• AGTAHomeHealthCare• AimeeHayes&Associates• ArcadiaHomeCare• ARCG• BalancePhysiotherapyBarbaraIbbitsonandAssociates• BartimaeusRehabilitationServices
• BayshoreHealthCare• BaxterStructures• CBA/CarolBierbrier&Associates• CentreforEducationalDevelopment• DesaiLaw• NetworkReporting&Mediation• NeurocorePhysiotherapy• OmegaMedicalAssociates• PropelPhysiotherapy• RehabilitationManagement• RitaLenhardt&Associates• Shekter,Dychtenberg• SimoneFriedmanSpeechLanguageServices• SocialWorkConsultingGroup• SokoloffLawyers• TCLEconomicValuationExperts• TorkinManes• WillDavidson,LLP• Vertex• WrightRehab
MCLEISH ORLANDOOATLEY VIGMONDTHOMSON ROGERS
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
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5KHERORUN,WALK&ROLL2016OnOctober1,2016wehadahero-filled,5Kextravaganza!Eventhoughitwaswet&rainyeveryonewasfullofsmilesandexcitement.Thisyearwehadalmost400participantsout,SNAPTorontoNewsCoverage,oursignatureband&bouncycastle,andtonsofsuperherofun.
TopMaleFinishers
1. GarvinMoses2. DavidWesseling3. ZachFiore
TopFemaleFinishers
1. KathleenLawrence2. SierraButler3. KateMazzucco
TopIndividualFundraisers TopTeamFundraisers 1. DavidLuder 1.InnovativeCaseManagement2. EllieLapowich 2.Tanya’sTeam 3. RyanMurray 3.OatleyVigmondLLPAlmost$55,000wasraisedtosupportBIST.Manythankstoourruncommitteememberswhovolunteeredtheirtime,resourcesandoneveryearlymorningtohelpus.Runcommitteemembers:JudyMoir(chair),MichelleMcDonald,MarkLapowich,MichelleDiamond,KateMazzucco,RohitTamhaneandLindsayCharles.
Aspecialthankstoalltherunners,walkers&rollerswhocameoutthatday,ourswagbagdonors&Hero5Ksponsors-weareeversogratefulforyoursupport!
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BIRDIESFORBRAININJURY2016
OnJune23,2016BISTheldits2ndannualBirdiesforBrainInjuryTournament.Itwasagloriousdayonthecoursewith100golferswhohelpedusraiseover$37,000tofundBIST’sprogramsandservices.
SpecialthankstoourGolfCommitteewhovolunteeredmanyhourstoputthistogether:JordanAssaraf(chair),RyanMurray,JeffNunn,RickMenessa,ColleenWorseley,DianaRockbrune,KatPowell
Wealsowouldliketothankoursilentauctiondonors,participantsandoursponsors–wecouldn’thavedonethiswithoutyou!
HoleSponsors:
• AccessRehabInjuryClinic• ArteryStudiosInc.• GenesisRehabilitation&SportsInjuryClinic• GlucksteinPersonalInjuryLawyers• iCareHomeHealth• InnovativeCaseManagementInc.• MEAforensic• McKellarStructuredSettlements• McLeishOrlandoCriticalInjuryLawyers• PrincipeNafekhLimitedLitigation&ValuationServices• RehabFirst• RoarEngineering• ShekterDychtenbergLLPPersonalInjuryLawyers• WrightRehab
Hole–In–1Sponsors
• EcoMotionSolutions• MarchofDimes• OatleyVigmond
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THIRDPARYFUNDRAISINGEVENTSBISTishonouredtohavecommunitymemberswhodonatetheirtimeandresourcestoholdthirdpartyeventsthatraisefundsforBIST.Lastyear,ColleenWorselyorganizedBeachBlast,afun,competitivevolleyballtournamentwithallproceedscomingtoBIST.SalGuzzoLLPalsoheldaRockingnightattheRockPilewithnumerousbandscomingouttobringawarenessandfundstoBIST.Botheventsraisedapproximately$2000andweareverygratefultoeveryonefortheirsupport.
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BISTBOARDOFDIRECTORS
RyanMurray,Chair
Ryanisalawyer,mediatorandarbitratorwithMurrayMediationServices.Ryanspentoveradecadeworkingasapersonalinjurylawyerrepresentingpeoplewhohadsufferedbraininjuries.ThatexperiencetaughtRyanthatabraininjuryoftenhasalifelongimpactonboththeinjuredpersonandtheirfamily.RaisingawarenessaboutbraininjuryandpromotinginjurypreventionaretwoofthereasonsthatRyanvolunteerswithBIST.RyanholdsaBachelorofLawsdegree(LL.B.)andaMasterofLawsdegree(LL.M.–CivilLitigationandDisputeResolution)fromOsgoodeHallLawSchool.HealsoholdsaBachelorofArts(Honours)fromYorkUniversity.RyanisamemberoftheLawSocietyofUpperCanadaandtheAlternativeDisputeResolutionInstituteofOntario.
KerryMacLean,ViceChair
KerryMacLeanhasbeenworkingwithadultswithAcquiredBrainInjuryforover17years.SheisaServiceCoordinatoratCommunityHeadInjuryResourceServices(CHIRS),managinganoutreachteamthatprovideshomeandcommunitysupporttoadultslivingwithABI.InadditiontoherroleatCHIRS,KerryistheABISystemNavigatorintheCentralLHIN,andamemberoftheCentralABICollaborative.Inthisrole,sheworkstoimprovesystemaccessforindividualswithABIandtheirfamilies.KerryhasaBachelor’sDegreeinSocialWelfareandhasabackgroundinaddictionsandmentalhealth.
OutsideofherworkwithABI,Kerryisabusymomoftwoboys,activelyinvolvedinherlocalcommunityandenjoyspursuinghertwootherpassions:paintingandrunning.
MichelleDiamond,PastChair
MichelleDiamondcurrentlyworkswithFunctionabilityRehabilitationServicesastheDirectorofCaseManagementandClientServices.ShehasworkedinthefieldofBrainInjuryforover12years.ShegraduatedwithherMaster’sDegreeofSocialWork,fromtheUniversityofToronto,in2000andbeganworkingatTorontoRehabontheABIservicein2001.MichellewaswithTorontoRehabforover10yearsinthecapacityofSocialworker,ServiceCoordinatorandwassecondedforoneyeartotheTorontoABINetworkasProjectandReferralCoordinator.
Michellecontinuestoworkdirectlywithclientsandfamilieslivingwiththeeffectsofbraininjury.MichellehasbeeninvolvedwithBISTfortwoyearsasavolunteerontwocommittees;theBIAMCommittee,andwasafoundingmemberoftheRunCommittee.
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ColleenWorsley,Secretary
Colleenisdedicatedtoraisingawarenessandbuildingsupportsystemsforindividualslivingwithacquiredbraininjury.(ABI)ColleeniscurrentlyworkingwithDelisleYouthServicesasaCommunityResourceConsultantaswellascontinuingtoworkonfundraisingprojectsintheABIcommunity.
Shehasmorethan15yearsofexperienceinthesocialservicesfield.ShegraduatedfromYorkUniversitywithaSpecializedHonoursDegreeinPsychology,hasacertificateinNutritionandtraininginBehaviourTherapytechniques.Hercontinuingeducationinvolvesconferences,seminars,andcoursesfocusingonadvancesintheunderstandingandtreatmentofABIandspinalcordinjury.
JordanAssaraf
JordanAssarafisalawyeratGlucksteinPersonalInjuryLawyers.Bybeinginvolvedincontactsportshisentirelife,Jordanhasseenhowtraumaticbraininjuriescanoccurandaffectnotonlythepersonwhoacquiredtheinjury,buttheirwholefamily.ThishasledJordantobecomethepersonalinjurylawyerheistoday,andhasalsoledhimtovolunteerhistimeandraiseawarenessaboutbraininjuriesbyjoiningBIST.
Jordan’sothervolunteerexperienceincludesleadinghislawfirm’steamintheannualWheelchairRelayRaceandsupportingthecharitableorganizationTHREETOBEintheireffortstoassistchildrenwithneurologicaldisorders.Jordaniscommittedtoraisingpublicawarenessabouttheeffectsofbraininjuriesonvictims,theirfamiliesandthebroaderpublic.
AsadHussain
AsadisafamilymemberofanindividualwhohasanAcquiredBrainInjury.HehasbeenamemberofBISTforanumberofyearsandhasvolunteeredandspokenatpreviousBISTFamilyRetreatsandotherBrainInjuryConferences.
HeiscurrentlyemployedattheDepartmentofJusticeasaRegionalDirectorofFinanceandholdsanaccountingdesignation(CMA-CPA)andMBA(SchulichSchoolofBusiness).
AsadislookingforwardtobringingbothhispersonalandprofessionalexperiencetotheboardandthemembersofBIST.
Inhissparetimeheistheproudfatherofa2-year-oldandanavidsportsenthusiast.
RickMenassa
Rickbrings27yearsofbusinessdevelopmentexperienceworkingforglobalandCanadiantechnologycompaniesinCanadaandacrossEurope.HeisthePresidentandco-founderof,iCareHomeHealth,aboutiquehomehealthcareco.servingHalton,PeelandtheGTAregion;andiCareNavigatorprovidingPatientAdvocacyandExpertOpinionregardingstandardofcareforpersonswhosufferedinjury,servingOntario.
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RickisalsotheVP,Marketing,PharmaceuticalInnovationLtd.,astartupandcreatoroftheInteleChip.Adevicethatwillrevolutionizemedicinedispensingtopatientswithaccessibilitychallenges.
MakingadifferenceisanintegralpartofhisDNA,RickfundraisedforseveralorganizationsandcontinuestoparticipateintheannualHeart&StrokeRideforHeart,theHealingCycleRideinsupportofPalliativecare,andtheannualAlzheimerSocietyfundraisingcampaignsinHaltonandPeel.
ServingontheBISTBoardcomplimentsRick’spassiontoempowerinjuredandagedtolivewithdignityandmaintainthequalityoflifetheydeserve.
CeliaMissios
CeliaMissiosisthefounderandauthoroftheinternationallyreadlifestyleblogHighHeeledLife.Since2010shehasbeeninspiringwomenworldwidewithherjourneyofsurvivingwhatshouldhavebeenafatalaccident,findingher“Joiedevivre”andcreatinganewlifethatfitsthepersonsheistoday.
Celiahasbeenabraininjurysurvivorforalmost9years,andhasvolunteeredwithBISTasPeerMentor;spokenatcommunitymeetingsandisaregulareditorialcontributortotheblog.SheisalsoaregularspeakerforCanadianBloodService’s–SpeakersBureau.PriortoheraccidentCeliahadasuccessfulcorporatecareerasBusinessandMarketDevelopmentforalocalcommunicationsfirm.AndvolunteeredhertimeasChairofFundraisingCommitteeforanEastYorkhomelessyouthshelter.
Celiabelievesit’snotwhathappenstoyouthatdeterminesyourfutureitshowyouchosetoreacttoit.Whensheisnotvolunteeringhertimeinthecommunityandhelpingotherscreateahealthylifestylethatfitswhotheyaretoday–sheenjoystraveling;meditating;afternoontea;self-care;yoga;writing;gardening;photography;andplayingwithherYorkies,Dolce&Gabbana.
JoshHimmel,TreasurerJoshisaSeniorAccountantatLiptonLLP,amid-sizedaccountingfirm.Hehashadextensiveexperienceworkingwithclientsinthenot-for-profitsectorandhasastrongbackgroundintheAccountingStandardsforNot-for-ProfitOrganizations(ASNPO).JoshishopingtoapplyhisknowledgeandexpertisegainedthroughhispracticesintheaccountingfieldtotheTreasurerroleatBIST.Additionally,asJoshhashadacloserelativesufferfromABI,hehasseentheeffectithasontheindividualandtheirfamilymembers.JoshislookingforwardtobothraiseawarenessforbraininjuryandbroadenthereachofBISTwhileusinghisprofessionalexperienceinaccountingtohelpensurelong-termgrowthfromafinancialperspective.
ErikJoffeErikJoffewasmotivatedtojoinBISTasaresultofhisexperiencegrowingupworkingatCampAwakening,andlateroninlife,asaresultofhisexperienceworkingwithclientssufferingfromtraumaticbraininjury.ErikhasbeenanAssociatewithNeinsteinLLPsincejoiningasasummerstudentin2011.HecompletedhisBachelorofArtsatMcGillUniversity,whereheobtainedadoublemajorinPoliticalScienceand
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SociologyandgraduatedwithDistinction.HewentontograduatewithaJ.D.fromQueen’sUniversityLawSchool.WhileatQueen’sUniversity,ErikwasanactivememberoftheQueen’sLawJournal,ClinicalCorrectionalProgram,andanExecutiveProducerofQueen’sProBonoRadio.ErikisanavidtravelerandspenthalfofhisfinalyearoflawschoolonexchangeinSouthAfrica.HehasbackpackedthroughNepal,Israel,SouthEastAsia,SouthAmericaandEurope.DuringhisfreetimeErikalsoenjoysrunning,playinghockeyandgolfing.Erik’spracticeisdevotedtoallareasofPersonalInjurylitigationonbehalfofplaintiffs,includingmotorvehicleaccidentclaims,disabilityclaimsandCanadianPensionPlan,occupier’sliabilityclaims,productliabilityclaims,medicalmalpracticeandaccidentbenefitclaims.
AlexandraPiottiAlexandraPiottiisaprivateCaseManager/RehabilitationConsultantworkingwiththecatastrophicallyinjured.Herareasofexpertiseincludeworkingwithindividualswhohavesustainedanacquiredbraininjury,havecomplexmedicalneeds,mentalhealthissues,dualdiagnosisandthebehaviourallychallenged.Alexisanadvocateforherclients,dedicatedtohelpingtoensurethebestenvironmentformaximalrecovery.AlexhasbeenamemberofBISTsince2012andcurrentlyistheChairoftheAwarenessCommittee.AsamemberoftheBISTBoard,AlexhopestobringherpassionforpeopleandserviceandhopestofindnewwayscastawidernettoincreasethepresenceoftheBrainInjurySocietyofTorontoinourcity.
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BISTSTAFF
MelissaVigar ExecutiveDirectorMelissaisaRegisteredSocialWorkerwhohasbeenactivelyworkinginthefieldofAcquiredBrainInjurysince2001.Throughouthercareershehasprovidedsupporttosurvivorsandtheindividualswhosupportthembothinthenon-profitandprivatesector.Withcollaborationandcompassionbeingherfocus,shehassupervisedteamsandimplementedtrainingsandprogramsinbothcommunityandresidentialsettings.SheispassionateaboutimprovingthequalityoflifeforanyonewhohassufferedanABIaswellasensuringthattheindividualswhosupportthemareequippedwithresources,educationandstrategiesforself-care.Outsideofwork,youcanfindMelissainthekitchencookingandbakingwithhertwogirls.Sheusesthefuelfromthesetreatstopowerherotherpassionsofhotyogaandrockclimbing.CarrieMacKinnonGroupFacilitatorandPeerSupportCoordinatorCarriehasmanyyearsofexperienceprovidingcasemanagement,assessmentandsupporttoadultslivingwiththeeffectsofanacquiredbraininjury.SherecentlyattainedherMasterofSocialWorkdegreeandisaRegisteredSocialWorker.Throughaclientandfamilyfocusedapproach,Carrieworkstopromoteindependence,engagement,andanimprovedqualityoflifeforthosesufferingfromanABI.Outsideofwork,Carrieisabusymomof3.SheenjoystheoutdoorsspendingtimewalkingherBoxer,Indie,hikingandcampinginthesummerwithherfamily.Shealsoenjoysspendingtimeinthekitchenwithherdaughters.JulieNottoProgramsandServicesCoordinatorJuliehasapostgraduatecertificateinadultmentalhealthandover10yearsexperienceinthenon-profitsectordevelopinghealthandeducationprogramsforyouth,adultsandtheirfamilies.Juliechannelsherpassionforeducationandadvocacyintodevelopingprogramsthatsupportindividuals,andtheirfamilies,dealingwithphysicalandmentalhealthissuestoimprovetheirqualityofandzestforlife.OutsideoftheofficeyoucanfindJuliecyclingthroughthecity,playingbasketballandmakingshortfilmswithhertwoboysandwalkingtheirsweetLabradorretrieverStarr.MeriPerraCommunicationsandSupportCoordinatorMeriPerrahasseveralyearsofexperienceconnectingpeopletoresources,throughherformerpositionatFindHelpInformationServices.SinceleavingFindhelp,sheearnedadiplomainjournalism,workedasacontributorandassistanteditorforanonlineparentingmagazine,andheldapositionasanewsandsportseditorforadigitalmediacompany.
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YoucanoftenspotMeriridingaroundtowninhermassivecargobikewithhertwodaughters(wearinghelmetsofcourse!).Sheenjoysvolunteeringatherkids’schoolandhousingcooperative,andfitsinpoweryogainhersparetime.HernewfavouritepasttimeisplayingCrazy8swithherfamily–agameshe(re)-learnedattheBISTSocialDrop–In!
