In this issue:

OBIA News Page 3

2010 ABI Survivorand FamilyEducation Series

Page 4

Dual MembershipApplication

Page 8

Support GroupsPage 9

13th Annual BrainInjury Conference

Centre Insert

In every issue:

Executive Director’s

ReportPage 2

Peer SupportMentoring Program

Page 6

Ask A LawyerPage 10

Upcoming EventsPage 28 The Brain Injury Association of London and Region acknowledges the generosity of

Legate & Associates as sponsors of this publication.

The MonarchMarch 2010

The Monarch

Technology and Brain InjurySee our Special Section Starting on Page 19

President: Mary Carter

Vice President: Lisa Fraser

Treasurer: Gary Phelps

Secretary: Elizabeth Skirving

Directors:Angie Blazkowski

Doug Bryce Jamie Fairles

Joanne RuedigerElizabeth SkirvingRobin Tugender

Talaal BondYvonne Pollard

Executive Director: Donna Thomson

Program Assistant:Becky LeCouteur

The Monarch is published by the Brain Injury Associationof London and Region. Opinions expressed are those ofthe authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion ofthe Board of Directors. Submissions to the Monarch arewelcome at any time, but should consist of no more than325 words. When you send in an article from apaper/magazine, please include the date and name ofpublication. Please include a cover letter with your nameand telephone number. Published letters can be anony-mous, but the editors must verify the information andobtain permission to reprint the letters, as well as have acontact for questions and responses. Advertising rates areavailable on request. The publication of an adver-tisement does not imply support of the advertiser bythe Association. All submissions must be received bythe first Wednesday of the month prior to publication, atthe office located at: 560 Wellington Street, Lower Level,London, ON, N6A 3R4

Phone: (519) 642-4539

Fax: (519) 642-4124

E-Mail:info@braininjurylondon.on.ca

Editors: Editorial Committee

Layout & Design: Cindy Evans, Advance Imaging

Copyright 2010 All rights Reserved

Brain Injury Association of London and Region Serving London, Middlesex, Huron, Perth, Oxford and Elgin560 Wellington Street, Lower Level, London, ON N6A 3R4

Phone: 519 642-4539 Fax: 519 642-4124 Toll Free: 1-888-642-4539Email: info@braininjurylondon.on.ca Website: www.braininjurylondon.on.ca

Registered Charitable: 139093736RR0001

Canada Post Publications Mail

Agreement Number 40790545

Return undeliverable

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560 Wellington Street,Lower Level

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Board of Directors

& Staff

Membership Renewals are now due!

Dual Memberships now available

with Ontario Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association

of London and Region.

See OBIA.BIALR Dual Membership

Application Inside

Reminder:

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When I beganmy career in braininjury rehabilitation inthe mid-1980’s, therewas very little technol-ogy available to assistpersons who had sus-tained a brain injury.

Over the past 25years, there have beenamazing advances inthe treatment, strate-gies and therapeuticaids offered to assistwith many of the cog-nitive and physicalchallenges a personmay encounter. Thetheme for this issue ofthe Monarch is devot-

ed to technology and its role in brain injury.At the writing of this report, we are knee-deep in

arranging the final details on our 10th Annual DinnerDance & Silent Auction, “Take a Chance..an Eveningof ABBA & the Bee Gees”.

We are currently seeking sponsors andexhibitors for our 13th AnnualConference, “Brain Injury GPS:Navigating Through theRecovery Process”. You willfind the conference brochureand registration form in the cen-ter insert.

The Community Awarenesscommittee is currently develop-ing a ‘Monarch Junior’ publica-tion that will contain topics thatare geared to parents who havea child with a brain injury. Thiswill be included in our informa-tion packages for distribution toareas that serve the pediatricpopulation. We will be seekingsponsors and advertisers forthis one-time publication.

Occupational Therapy stu-dents at UWO, in conjunctionwith the Support ServicesCommittee, are conducting anon-line survey to evaluate thesupport needs of our popula-tion.

If you did not get an invita-tion to participate in this surveyand would like to give your

input, please send an email to info@braininjurylon-don.on.ca indicating your email address.

Our Aged 18-30 Social Group has undergone anoverhaul. We welcome Bartimaeus staff member,Emily Black as our new leader. Emily has somewonderful, fresh new ideas for the group, so if youhaven’t been out to the group in a while, you maywant to give it a try! This group will be meeting at theCornerstone Clubhouse on the 1st Thursday of eachmonth.

The Governance Committee are seeking appli-cations from persons interested in representing thecounties of Elgin, Oxford and Huron on our Board ofDirectors 2010/2011.

We are sad to receive the resignation from ourBoard member Sari Shatil and wish her much suc-cess in her new business venture.

Thanks to our sponsors Bayshore Home Health,Legate & Associates, Lerners and Siskinds, we havebeen fortunate to have The Brainwaves Show con-tinue on AM980.

We hope you find the information in this editionof the Monarch interesting and helpful. We encour-age you to send us your suggestions for futurethemes for the Monarch.

Donna Thomson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

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The Ontario Brain Injury Association (OAC) heldits first meeting for 2010 on January 23. At thismeeting, participants heard from Mark Blumbergabout the legal requirements for charities. Mark is alawyer who specializes in Charity Law, and came tous through the Charity Law Information Program(CLIP) at Capacity Builders. Though this topic canbe dry, Mark kept our interest with his thoroughknowledge and sense of humor. Informationabout CLIP is available at http://www.capacity-builders.ca/clip

OAC representatives reviewed the Committeesof the OAC and have created a provincialAwareness Committee, which will create our keymessages for awareness campaigns in the com-munity to help make us more effective at reachingthe public. Other OAC Committees include:

Standards - monitors the affiliation process forlocal associations

Resources - working on the creation of information resources for stakeholders

Showcase - creates opportunities for survivorsto showcase their artistic talents

The OAC celebrated the success of the 2009conference in Niagara Falls, and began to turn itsattention to preliminary planning for 2011. Based onthe sell out attendance at last year’s conferenceand the great satisfaction with the venue, OAC rec-ommended to the OBIA Board that the 2011 con-ference be held in Niagara Falls again.

All local Associations will have opportunities toparticipate in planning, promoting and volunteeringat the conference. The OBIA Board approved thisrecommendation at the board meeting on January 24. At the meeting, representatives learned that JohnKumpf will be retiring from his position as ExecutiveDirector on September 6, 2010.

Over the past twelve years John’s passion inbringing education, awareness and support tothose living with the effects of brain injury has pro-foundly impacted survivors, family members andprofessionals alike. John’s leadership and dedica-tion will be sorely missed.

The board is currently in the process of recruit-ing a new Executive Director. Applications arebeing accepted from within the organization as wellas from external applicants. You can find out moreby contacting your local association or OBIA.

Across The ProvinceOAC Report, February, 2010

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Peer Support Mentoring Program for People Living with ABI

By Jamie FairlesPeer Support Coordinator

When I first filled the role of Peer SupportCoordinator (PSC), the method of keeping all therecords was the old fashioned method of paper filesin folders, which required a filing cabinet and a pret-ty methodical system of remembering who wasmatched with whom.

Close to a year after I filled the role of PSC, OBIAhad the ingenious idea of creating a website for thePeer Mentor program and each of the PSCs wasgiven their own username and password to accesstheir files for their respective association.

Each PSC has the ability to grant access to anyfile they choose to another Peer Support Coordinatorfor a cross-association match. For instance, if a men-tor in London is matched with a partner in Windsor,all I have to do is log on with my username and pass-word and the Windsor partner’s information is therefor me to read. And likewise with any other cross-association match: the two PSCs can read the otherassociation’s mentor’s or partner’s file.

The website also lists all available mentors and

partners as well as partnerships, both current andold. The use of technology for this program makesthe job of Peer Support Coordinator much easier.Not only does it make file keeping tidier and moregreen, in that less paper is used, but it makes match-ing mentors and partners easier. I highly doubt thePeer Mentor Program would be as successful as it istoday without the use of this website or other tech-nological advancements.

Every month, there is a PSC conference callwhere each association’s Peer Support Coordinatordials in to a conference call to discuss ideas and howeach community is doing with the program in theirrespective area. If you feel that your own personaljourney with brain injury can aid in supporting some-body new to acquired brain injury, or conversely, ifyou want to speak with somebody who has experi-ence with brain injury, please give the office a call.Using the technology at my disposal I will do mydarnedest to find you an adequate match!

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THANK YOU....

..TO ALL THE SPONSORS OF THIS YEAR S GALA

DIAMOND SPONSORS Siskinds LernersM&T Printing Group

PLATINUM SPONSOR PricewaterhouseCoopers Davis Martindale (Wine Sponsor)

GOLD SPONSORS Continuum a division of community RehabKing-Reed and AssociatesRehab First. Intact InsuranceLegate Personal Injury Lawyers Hoare-DaltonMatson Driscoll & Damico Ltd

Other Sponsor Nesbitt Coulter

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The Ontario Brain Injury Association&

Brain Injury Association of London & Region

You Can Now Belong to Both Associations for One Low Fee!!

Program Highlights

Membership in both the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA) and the Brain Injury Association ofLondon and Region (BIALR). Individual members shall be entitled to one vote at both BIALR andOBIA’s Annual General Meeting. Family members shall be entitled to no more than two at both BIALR and OBIA’s Annual General Meeting.

Membership in Community Support Network/Reseau De Soutien Communautaire (CSN/RSC) is avail-able to individuals and families who support the aims and objectives of participating community associ-ations and OBIA. Corporations, associations, partnerships, or other types of organizations are wel-come to support participating community associations and OBIA by listing or advertising in the onlineABI Directory of Services, but may not hold CSN/RSC membership.

Members will receive a one-year subscription to OBIA Review and The Monarch newsletter.

Members may participate in the Peer Support Mentoring Program for People Living with ABI.

Members will have free access to OBIA’s resource library and be eligible for a $25.00 discount on mostof OBIA’s training programs.

All membership fees are equally divided between OBIA and BIALR

OBIA & BIALR Dual Membership Application Form

Name:

Address 1

Address 2

City: Postal Code

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

Email:

Yes! I wish to purchase a Dual Membership and I understand that I will hold membership to both Ontario Brain InjuryAssociation and the Brain Injury Association of London & Region.

Annual Membership Fees:

Individual $30 Family $50 Subsidized $5

Please make cheque payable to Ontario Brain Injury Association or pay using:

Visa MasterCard American Express

Card Number: Expiry /

Ontario Brain Injury AssociationPO Box 2338

St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R9

obia@obia.on.caRegistered as a Canadian Charitable Organization, Registration #10779

7904RR0001

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This issue of The Monarch focuses on techno-logical advances that may assist the brain injury sur-vivor. Technology has come a long way in recentdecades, and continues to develop daily. The exis-tence of helpful technology, however, is not enough.The question becomes, how does one who has lim-ited financial resources access this technology?There are a number of resources to assist.

For those who have been injured in an automo-bile collision, accident benefits are available to payfor medical or rehabilitative assistive devices. Thekey to accessing unique (or not so unique) techno-logical devices is to have support from your treat-ment providers.

Your rehabilitation team has a wealth of informa-tion about available technology that may assist inyour recovery or improve your day to day function-ing. As well, your input is invaluable where you have

identified technology that you feel may assist you.With the support of a rehabilitation team, deviceswhich may, at first, seem outside of the scope of tra-ditional assistive devices can provide great improve-ment. A Wii Fit system may be just the thing toimprove balance and coordination.

An i-Phone or other all-in-one hand-held devicemay be the best way to organize and provide cues

where memory or cognitive skills are affected.Skype software (an internet based video telephoneprogram) can connect you to distant friends andfamily where personal visits are no longer feasible.Accident benefits are available to pay for many ofthese things provided the rehabilitation team issupportive.

Where the injury is not related to an automobilecollision, you may have a long term disability insur-er who will consider paying for assistive devicesthat allow you to get back to work, at least in somecapacity. Again, support of your rehabilitation teamis crucial. Similarly, the Ontario Disability SupportProgram (ODSP) will often consider payment forsupportive devices.

The important question to ask is not what is orappears to be available from the various potentialfunding organizations, but rather, what is the needto be addressed, and is there a way, through theuse of technology, to address that need?

Discuss your unique needs and possible solu-tions with your rehabilitation team, insurers, caseworkers and lawyer. The benefits of a creative pro-posal for solution cannot be overstated. I com-mend to you the article in this issue by DonCarlson of Parkwood Hospital whose exceptionalcreative thinking is eye opening.

Ask a LawyerJoni Dobson

Getting the Assistive Technology You Need

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A.J. FordhamAccuspect Home InspectionsAmanda LeCouteur Astral MediaBacardi Bartimaeus Inc.Bayshore Home HealthBG Golf Academy at Fire RockBlackfly BeveragesBlackfriars Salon & SpaBoler MountainBoston PizzaBraise RestaurantBraywick BistroBurkes FlowersCaradoc Sands Golf ClubCarlson Wagonlit TravelChanners Mens WearChris’s Country CutsChristie & Scott MacGregorCinnabonCrabby Joe- Wellington LocationCulture Salon SpaDan Carr ShellD’Arcy Lane InstituteDavis MartindaleDeacon FlooringDelta London ArmouriesDonna DowseEast Park Golf Edmond LeCouteur

Elmhurst InnErmo Hair StudioEvolve AssessmentsFanshawe Pioneer VillageFeatherfields the Bird & Garden StoreFlamenco Dance StudioFoster Townsend Graham &AssociatesFruits & PassionFuture ShopGift of ArtGordon’s GoldGrand TheatreHeather Coghill - BacardiHennessey Gibson HoganHighland Golf ClubHomestyles by TanyaIncare Inclusive Health Management Jack AstorsKeyz ThankzKingsmill’s Dept. StoreLlyndinshire Golf & Country ClubLondon Crochet ClubLondon Fine JewellersLondon Speech & Language CentreM&T PrintMarble Slab CreameryMasonville PlaceMcCabe PromotionsMilestones RestaurantMolsons

Moshka YogaMoving Towards WellnessNancy SingerNapa Auto PartsNash JewellersOIHJE Salon and SpaPerfect Image StudioProviva Wellness StrategiesPursuit Health ManagementReflectionsRheo Thompson CandiesRobert Q TravelShantz Orthotic SolutionsShauna Powell, LernersSilver City & GoodiesSt. Thomas Golf & Country ClubStratford Shakespeare Festival Sunroom RestaurantTetherwood SpaThat Training PlaceThe Athletic ClubThe Only on KingThe Stag ShopVan Horik’s GreenhousesWabi Sabi Hair ArtistryWidder Station Golf & Country ClubWireless WaveWortley RoadhouseYoung & Co.

Thank you to all those who contributed to the Silent Auction at Take a Chance

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You are cordially invited to attend the

Annual General of the

Brain Injury Association of London Friday, June 18, 2010 at 4:30

Four Points Sheraton1150 Wellington Road South

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Parkwood Hospital invites those who have survived a brain injury, their partners, parents, other family members, and friends to their

2010 Acquired Brain Injury Survivor and Family Education Series.

Spring 2010 Schedule

The survivor and family education series is a forum open to individuals with acquired brain injury, theirfamily, and friends. The goals of the series are to share education and information, provide opportunitiesto meet other individuals and family members affected by brain injury, and to encourage peer support.Sessions are Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. in room A273 main level of Parkwood Hospital. Thesesessions are video-conferenced to participating hospitals throughout Southwestern Ontario

March 23rd Brain Injury 101 Kelly Williston Wardell, OT Reg. (Ont.)

This session provides an overview of the structure and function of the brain and what goes wrong whenan injury happens, as a basis for understanding the changes that occur in an individual following a braininjury. The presenters will describe some of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and behaviouralconsequences of brain injuries and offer some examples of strategies for managing.

March 30th Practical Strategies for Managing your Life Scott McLean & Amy Abbruzzese

How do you organize your life differently following an acquired brain injury? This session focuses onsome of the knowledge, thinking strategies, tools, and habits that make life easier for individuals with braininjuries and their families.

April 6th Psychiatric Aspects of Brain Injury Dr. R. Manchanda

This presentation reviews the common causes of traumatic brain injury and the various psychiatric sequelae,their clinical presentation and respective treatments are outlined with emphasis on a multi-disciplinaryapproach.

April 13th Life after Injury: Reintroducing Leisure Into Your Lifestyle Kellie Clark TRS &, Breanne Lindsay, TRS

This session will help individuals adjusting to lifestyle changes that may follow a brain injury. There will bea focus on leisure activities, as often there are few, if any, new leisure pursuits initiated to replace pastinterests. This is an important area of concern,as it has the potential to assist with the recovery process.

April 20th Nutrition Considerations for People with ABI Chris Fraser, Registered Dietitian

This presentation will provide information on nutrition for heart health, bowel health (to help counteractbowel issues related to pain medication use) and the food/headache link. This presentation will be inter-active, with time available to ask questions.

April 27th Addiction IssuesCathy Irwin, ADSTV

This session will aim to educate the audience with regards to the substance use/abuse/dependency con-tinuum, and will introduce strategies to prevent relapse and reduce the harm associated with substanceuse in order to obtain optimum recovery.

May 4th Survivor Stories Sharon Campbell-Rayment & Doug Lein

A survivor and a parent of a survivor tell their stories about their journey dealing with a brain injury. Thesession will be interactive and informative for all who attend.

Please call Program Assistant Wendy Davis at (519) 685-4064 or toll-free at 1-866-484-0445 toreserve your place for each evening you choose to attend or to clarify location of other sites. You are welcome to attend one, some, or all of the sessions.

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Technology After Brain Injury

By Kathy Hysen, MLIS

There are so many devastating changes thatoccur after a brain injury, that it can be awfully hardto find the humour in any of it. But to have a goodlaugh, and a good laugh at yourself, can alleviatesome of the ongoing, depressing, uphill battle of it all.

“Mom, you didn’t buy more toothpaste!” Easiersaid than done, I discovered, as I stood in the storeaisle looking at, yes, count them, nine shelvesfilled with tubes of toothpaste! I just want one!!Will that be Crest or Colgate? Fresh mint,refreshing mint, cool mint or long-lastingmint? Maybe peppermint? Paste, gel orliquid gel? Small, medium orlarge? Whitening or tartarfighting? Or extra whiteningwith tartar protection? Orwhitening with tartar controland Scope for bad breath control?No toddlers, so I can forget the BarbieBurstin’ Bubblegum and Spider-Man Liquid Geltoothpaste in Super Action Mint. No dentures yet but,you know what? Maybe I should try one for sensitiveteeth. Oh, I just noticed the sale prices ... which oneis the best deal? OK, calm down, just buy what wewere using at home … heck, what were we using athome?!

Thankfully, the process of brushing my teeth has-n’t changed since I was a child. But what happenswhen we’re shopping for a cellphone or computer?

Technology certainly has changedsince I was a child, and theInternet and computers areeverywhere now, with theoptions as varied as our tooth-

paste choices. Choosing theright piece of assistive technology

to help people with a brain injurysuccessfully navigate their lives,schooling and employment immedi-

ately magnifies the issues. These include smaller market aware-

ness of these specialty products, theirmuch higher price points, and the availability of

technical support that goes beyond selling and ini-tial setup. The user-friendliness of technology is ofparamount importance. The client needs to get themost benefit possible with the least amount of angst,and the service provider needs to be able to instructand guide the client with clarity and efficiency inorder to avoid angst all around.

But first, how about some help in choosing thattoothpaste …

Phone: 519›318›6500

Fax: 519›681›1474

Email:

carlrlokko@rogers.com

Mail: 106-645 Commissioners Rd.

London, Ontario

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Is technology a survivor’s Achilles heel or theirsaving grace? I understand the fear of technologyas it speaks a new and different language that canbe daunting for many.

I do believe that if technology is embraced itcan help and improve a survivor’s lifestyle. Myname is Adam and like many readers of this mag-azine I too have a brain injury.

I am missing many memories and was left withmany deficits with anterograde amnesia (shortterm memory loss) high on the list. I have alwaysbeen a “techie” and thankfully I retained a lot of mytech knowledge. But more importantly, I retainedthe drive to make technology work for me.

I wired my house myself pre-injury and made itremote controlled which is very kewl BUT because

I set it up I did not label anything.When I came home from the hospi-tal I looked at the remote pod andrealized I don’t know how to switchthe lights off or on. Slowly the real-ity began to seep in: I can’t remem-ber most of my passwords and ourlives are password driven. Banks,online banking, Internet sites,email, firewall codes, telephonenumbers, and addresses: they allbecame a blur to me. I was luckyagain because I had a method forrecalling passwords which slowlycame back but over time.

I have always thought that youneed to be knee-deep in a problemto see a solution. So who better tomake technology work for themthen the survivors themselves? Aperfect example is going to the mallto get some goodies: you park out-side and then head in to do yourshopping. When you come outsideto look for your car you just see anocean of steel and rubber. At thatpoint I would pull out my iPhoneand use “Take me to my Car”.When you get out of the car youpush the button and your car istagged. Do your shopping andwhen completed let the iPhoneguide you back to the safety ofyour own car. Things don’t getmuch better than that! But they doand in the future perhaps I will goover many more modern methodsthat can aid an ABI survivor in theirday-to-day lives. If you have aproblem you feel could be helpedin some way but you are not surehow, please feel free to send me anemail at shallowgroove@gmail.comI would love a challenge or a newscenario to think about.

Technology: How it can help brain injury survivorsBy Adam Orton

When I first joined the nowubiquitous social networking siteFacebook in 2007, I was amazedat how easily I could reconnectwith some of the people of mypast, as well as the new ones thatI hardly saw anymore since myown injury.

As we know acquiring a braininjury is different for each individ-ual, but one of the most commonfeelings felt by many survivors isthat of isolation.

They can no longer socialize as easily as theyused to and their friendships tend to fall by the way-side. After looking at many of the brain injury-relat-ed groups on Facebook, I surmised that Facebookwould be an excellent forum to meet other survivors

of brain injury and promote the Peer SupportMentoring Program. I had just recently finished mymentoring partnership and had just been named thenew Peer Support Coordinator for London andRegion. I created my own Facebook group calledSupporting A.B.I. (Acquired Brain Injury). I invited allthe people on my list of friends which included manyfamily members, school friends and members of myfraternity.

I checked the group every day to see if any moremembers had joined, what people were posting onthe wall, and how the discussion board was going.At the date of writing this, I still check the groupevery day and I’m pleased to say that the group nowhas over 3400 members spanning the globe withevery continent besides the inhabitable Antarcticabeing represented. The group is comprised of braininjury survivors, their family, friends, care givers andprofessionals in the field of brain injury. Almost allthe known brain injury survivors are listed as offi-cers as is anybody associated with the PeerSupport Mentoring Program.

Each time I find a new survivor who’s joined, Isend them a personal message asking if they’dmind becoming an officer because I know that not

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Supporting A.B.I. (Acquired Brain Injury)

By: Jamie Fairles

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all survivors wish their injury to be publically broad-cast. I do this because it’s my way of acknowledgingthe courage and strength it takes to be a survivor ofbrain injury.

There are currently just fewer than 100 officers,but since creating the group, Facebook has changedthe format of the site many times and I can no longeradd any more officers. Many people post on the wallhow grateful they are to have found the groupbecause “they thought they were the only one facing such problems”, and “now they have found a placethey can call home”.

People frequentlyshare their storiesand others willrespond as to howthey can relate tothe person’s situa-tion. Or a personwill post a specificdifficulty they arefacing and askhow otherscoped with asimilar issueand more oftenthan not, theperson whoposted the

original query will get many responses back fromothers who faced or are currently facing the sameissue.

With so many responses the person now hasmany avenues to try to assuage the problem. It is agroup where personal stories of triumph and failureare shared and members congratulate one anotherfor their successes and encourage them to stay pos-itive and try again if they happen to fail.

There is also an area on the group to post anyrelevant links to other

websites. There are numerous pages oflinks that take youaround the world tovarious brain injuryassociations, sup-port groups, andanything elserelated to braininjury. I like tothink of it as acyber, internation-al peer mentorprogram. In fact I placedthe website thatI discussed in myPeer SupportCoordinator’s

report as the main web page for thegroup. If a member clicks on thisURL, they are taken to the OBIApage that gives a detailed descrip-tion of the peer mentor program,the participating associations andcontact numbers, and each asso-ciation’s PSC. I was even reward-ed OBIA’s Volunteer Award in 2008for my duties at the Association aswell as for creating this group.

The group is open so anybodycan join. If you have a Facebookaccount and are interested in join-ing my group simply type‘Supporting A.B.I.’ in the searchbar in the top right corner of thepage and you will be taken to it.

And while you’re at it, try typingin “Brain Injury Association of London& Region” and “Camp Dawn”because I also created fan pages forboth. You can join either and getupdates on each.

With current advances, there are so manychoices available in the marketplace that it can bedifficult to choose the device that is right for you.Here are some ideas to guide you in making yourdecision.

Digital Recorder:Simple, yet this can work like a charm for somepeople.

1. Record short lists.2. Record information/stories to share with

family and friends.3. Record a whole university or college lecture.4. Record a consult with a doctor (with

permission, of course).5. Record a “to do” task and set an alarm to

get you started.6. Record an appointment time to enter on

your calendar when you get home.7. Create voice records which you can

download to your computer (some models).

Cell Phone:This is a full-time companion for many of us andhas many features.

1. Record voice reminders for short lists and information to share with others.

2. Use the camera to take pictures of gift ideas, things you need to purchase, or to create a picture journal.

3. Enter appointments on your calendar and set an alarm to remind you.

4. Keep track of information for your family, doctor or for meetings on the notepad.

Smartphone:Don’t leave home without it! There aremany to choose from. You will have to tryseveral different brands and models todecide which you like best. Also, carefullyresearch service plans to match yourneeds and budget. The uses include thoselisted above for the cell phone plus:

1. You can back up your information on your computer and it is always good to have a backup.

2. It is way easier to enter your information with a full keyboard.

3. You can download “apps” for just about anything (at a cost).

4. You can access and respond to e-mails quickly (so you don’t need to remember to do it later).

5. You can access the internet to acquire information quickly - this helps you be more efficient at work.

GPS:If you need help navigating the town, this is for you!Many clients tell me this reduces some of the stressrelated to driving.

1. The voice directions allow you to focus on the road and not on the street signs.

2. The advance warnings give you extra time to move into the proper lane to make your turns/exits.

3. The voice directions also keep you focused on your destination, so that you do not forgetwhere you are headed.

Computers:There are many advantages to computer use afteracquired brain injury. There are also many softwareprograms available, which can enhance overallfunctioning and efficiency.

Technology can be costly, so consider what youneed and choose carefully.

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TECHNOLOGY: WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU?By: Lisa Jadd, M.Cl.Sc., Reg. CASLPO

Assistive equipment or assistive technology isany device whether purchased in a store, custommade, or modified that helps a person functionwithin their environment. It can allow person tofully participate in meaningful activities despiteimpairments. Assistive technology can help toremove obstacles in daily activities and communityparticipation.

There is a wide variety of devices specificallydesigned to assist with all areas of daily function-ing. As promising as some assistive equipment isin improving the lives of people with acquired braininjury, approximately 1/3 of devices provided toclients are abandoned or not used. The mostimportant reason devices are not used is lack ofclient involvement in device selection.

To improve device acceptance and use the fol-lowing should be considered by the user and ther-apist:

1. How well does the device satisfy the user’sgoals and dreams. The first step is to help the per-son with brain injury define their goals. Goals in theareas of communication, mobility, vision, hearing,literacy, household activities, self care, and recre-ational/social activities should be considered.

Then the uses should identifytheir goals specific to the use ofassistive technology and equip-ment.

2. The unique needs of theuser of assistive technology. Itis important to consider whatpeople do, not only what theycan’t do in determining what isneeded in terms of assistiveequipment. By focusing on thetask to be completed the per-son’s strengths and the needsfor additional supports are iden-tified. It is also important toconsider where the task is to beperformed and the uniqueneeds of the environment.

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Steps in Choosing Assistive Equipment

By Angie Blazkowski, Occupational Therapist

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3.The attractiveness, appeal and personal readiness for theequipment. Psychological readiness for the use of assistiveequipment is a strong determinant of its acceptance and use. Formany people with brain injury the assistive technology becomes apart of who they are and how they present themselves to others.The device becomes part of their identity. However, this can be avery difficult transition for many people, especially if they do notsee how the device will help them achieve their goals or meet theirneeds.

4.Whether the equipment fits the user’s lifestyle. The assistiveequipment needs to be incorporated into the person’s regular rou-tines and lifestyle and not introduce new time consuming routinesthat interfere with desired activities. Acceptance and consistentuse of assistive equipment also depends on the acceptance ofassistive technology by family members and the willingness toadjust regular routines to accommodate use.

5 . Comfort and ease of use. An important determining factor inthe use of assistive equipment is the experience of pain or dis-comfort. Use of the equipment can cause new pain or aggravateother pain symptoms. Once assistive equipment is delivered tothe client and used it cannot be assumed that the process is com-plete. It is important to assess the user’s physical and psycho-logical comfort with a device and their level of satisfaction with usein multiple environments.

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Mention “Assistive Technology” and most peoplemight think of wheelchairs or scooters, or perhaps awheelchair van or a mechanical limb. But did youknow you could operate a computer mouse cursorjust by turning your head? You can now talk to yourhome. It’s not science fiction anymore to commandthe lights to turn on, and tell the telephone by namewhat number to dial.

You can also talk to your notebook computer -dictate letters to friends, send emails, or do youronline banking with speech recognition software thatmakes your computer completely “hands-free”.

The door to your home can open merely by yourpresence using a special radio ID tag. Your clocksspeak the time, your computer reads your mail toyou, and your favorite music album plays . . . simplywith a few soft breaths on an “ability” switch. Theseare all examples of what is called “AssistiveTechnology”.

“Assistive Technology” is a term used to refer toany electronic or advanced mechanical device thatprovides an alternative or improved way to performsome daily task, like turning on lights, or dialing thetelephone. Such technology can be of great benefitand provide significant independence and safety topeople with diminished mobility, brain injury, or spinalcord injury.

Unfortunately, most Assistive Technologies havenever been under the spotlight in any retail store.Many people, with sudden disability or an injuredfamily member, have no idea that these devices areavailable.

Some of the local home healthcare vendors dohave a smattering of special technology amongsttheir offering of home care and mobility products.You may be able to find a large button televisionremote, or a copy of voice recognition software at acomputer store. But the majority of sources for

Assistive Technologies are found on theInternet.

If you have a physical disability, you mightwant to try that gadget out before you buy - -just to make sure you can really use it. So whatdo you buy? Where do you even start looking?Who could you ask?

One source of Assistive Technology infor-mation are companies such as Ablenet orEnableMart or InfoGrip (all US companies).They offer a wide range of products to suit a dis-ability need, such as special access to comput-ers and operating home electronics.

Most universities and state or provincialgovernments have web pages that can suggestcategories of devices and vendors, often underthe catchwords of “accommodating technolo-gy”, or “daily living aides” or “assistive technolo-gy”. AbleData also has a good online listing ofproducts, listed by disability category, whichmay assist in locating a helpful device to suityour needs.

But while Internet companies can offersome technical support at a distance, there isstill a clear gap with the “hands-on” job of set-ting up and making this often-unfamiliar tech-nology work effectively.

In London Ontario, Parkwood Hospitaloffers services including a high level ofAssistive Technology capability.

Assistive Technologies: is there a gadget that will . . .By Don Carlson

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The PossAbilities Program is one component ofthe rehabilitation services offered by NeuroTraumaRehabilitation, and offers a resource centre forAssistive Technology devices and disability productsfor people in the Southwestern Ontario region.PossAbilities is a fee for service program which isoften paid for by auto insurance companies if theperson was in a car accident, by the WorkplaceSafety and Insurance Board (WSIB) if the personwas injured at work, or by other privately purchasedinsurance.

The best place to start looking for support is withyour healthcare team. They can offer the advice anddirect you to those with the experience to ensure thatthe right questions are asked. Occupational

Therapists (OT’s) can help with selecting adevice or control that best suits your physical abilitiesand disabilities. They can provide therapies to makereliable use of the device. An OT will also be morefamiliar with finding the type of Assistive Technologythat will fit your needs.

A key and often under-utilized resource is aRehabilitation Engineer. A Rehabilitation Engineer is

a uniquely qualified technical expert withAssistive Technologies. RehabilitationEngineers know where to get thesedevices, how to choose, use, or even howto build a solution if nothing is available todo the job. They have the knowledge, skilland creativity to knit gadgets together tosuit an individual’s level of need.

For example, your poweredwheelchair’s joystick control not only drivesyou to the computer desk, but is improvedso that it also operates the computermouse, and lets you answer the door inter-com from across the room. And don’t forgetyou can now also turn off the TV!

Perhaps, if you are someone whocould benefit from technology to enable animproved sense of independence, you maywish to investigate available AssistiveTechnologies. While such controls anddevices might seem difficult to find and areoften unfamiliar in the regular retail market,there are healthcare individuals who canhelp you.

Occupational Therapists andRehabilitation Engineers can assist andthey have the experience to ask the rightquestions to get an Assistive Technologysolution that will work for you.

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Upcoming Conferences and Events

Helmets on Kids

9th Annual CampaignJune 17, 2010Blessed Sacrament School, Oxford Street

Brain Injury GPS… Navigating Through Recovery

Brain Injury Association of London & Regions 13th Annual ConferenceJune 18, 2010Four Points Sheraton, London

Annual General Meeting

Brain Injury Association of London & RegionJune 18, 2010 4:30 pmFour Points Sheraton, London

Camp Dawn

September 16-19, 2010Rainbow Lake, WaterfordFor more information, visit www.campdawn.ca

London Brain Injury Golf Classic

9th AnnualGreenhills Golf Club, LambethSeptember 23, 2010

For a list of international brain injury conferences and events, please visit:http://www.northeastcenter.com/brain_injury_conference_event.htm

Personal Rehabilitation Counselling Services Inc.

E. “Ike” Lindenburger Helena WoodM. Div., M.S.W., C.C.R.C., C.Ht. M.S.W., (R.S.W.)

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Cognitive/Behavioural TherapyIndividual, Couples and Family Therapy Capacity AssessmentIndependent Medical Assessment HypnotherapyCatastrophic Injuries Pain ManagementStress and Anger Management Fear of Driving and PTSDGrief and Loss, Bereavement Relationship Management

Appointments at office or in clients’ home

Mailing Address Counselling Office900 Adelaide St. South P.O. Box 37088 190 Wortley RoadLondon, ON N6E 3T3 London, ON (Lower Level)

Phone: Ike: 519-645-7393 Fax: 519-645-6195 Helena: 519-280-5196Email: (Ike) elindenburger@yahoo.ca Email: (Helena)

helena.wood@sympatico.ca

Supporting people to gain healthy functioning

Brain Injury Association of London & Region560 Wellington Street, Lower Level London, ON N6A 3R4