The Life Line

Wed, Sept 11th

Throwback Potluck

Wed, Oct 16th

OBIA Caregiver Workshop

Sat, Oct 5th

Pumpkin Fest

Sept. / Oct. 2019

ASK A LAWYERSERIES

In only a few more weeks, it will be time for the kids to go back to school. Soon, the roads of many communities in On-tario will have more school buses on them, and quite frankly, more vehicles and traffic in general. Before school is officially back in session, it is helpful to keep some key safety considerations in mind.

September is a time where students are adapt-ing to new schedules. It will also be a time where drivers need to adapt to changes in the traffic con-ditions. If you are a driv-er, it is prudent to provide yourself with more time in the mornings and the af-ternoons to arrive at your destination, in light the increase in school buses and commuter traffic in general.

When travelling near school buses, be mindful

that there could be chil-dren standing near the side of the road and, in some cases, it’s possi-ble that a child might run out out onto the road, of-ten chasing things like a stray ball. Travel slowly, leave lots of space be-tween your vehicle and school buses, and always remember to observe the flashing lights on the school bus. The law re-quires that you come to a complete stop and remain stopped while the bus’s lights are activated.

There is also school trans-portation for students with disabilities. Be extra mind-ful of the fact that some students with disabilities might not be able to hear or see your approaching vehicle, or otherwise may have mobility limitations that pose hazards when embarking or disembark-ing from their designated transportation. Again, pa-tience and caution should always be exercised.

If you are a parent of a young child who takes the bus to and from school,

now is a good time to talk to your child about the dangers of strangers. You and your child should have a plan in place for how he or she will get to the bus and get home from the bus. An older chaperon is often recommended for young children.

Remind your children that when disembarking from a bus they need to walk around the front of the bus far enough to be able to make eye contact with the driver and signal to the bus driver that they are safe and have made their way around the bus.Back to school is not only for young children, but also for teenagers and young adults. We often see teenagers and young adults walking with back packs and operating cel-lular phones or MP3 play-ers, with headphones on. Remember that pedestri-ans have the right of way and always drive cau-tiously near pedestrians, affording them plenty of space. Sometimes stu-dents may be distracted by music, their phone,

conversations, etc., so as the driver of an approach-ing vehicle, it is always best to err on the side of caution and be extra safe when approaching any pedestrian.

A great deal of promoting safety around children and young people stems from the discussing the dangers inherent in the society we live in. Safety and injury prevention of-ten stems from being pre-pared and having discus-sions about dangerous situations. It is important not to overlook these se-rious safety issues, as no-body ever wants to deal with a tragedy after it’s too late to do anything about it.

From one parent to oth-ers, I look forward to the back to school season and wish everyone a safe, healthy, and successful new school year

Chris Dawson is a per-sonal injury lawyers at Lerners LLP. Chris can be contacted at 855-HELP-NOW or by e-mail at cdawson@lerners.ca.

Back to School – Back to Safety

By - Christopher Dawson

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Save the Date:

Sting Hockey Game – November 8, 2019

Welcome to Our New Members:

• Anita• Shreena • Ken and Christine • Kaleo and Rebecca• Valerie• Susan• Larry

Library Resources:

In addition to many books and resources that we have for members to use, we have recently added the two following books:• Every 21 Seconds, Brian Sweeney• New Hope: Concussions, TBI and PTSD, Dr. Larry Komer, MD

Lambton College Placement Student:

We are very happy to welcome, Harroop Kaur, a second year Recreation Therapist student fromLambton College. She will be joining us on Thursdays from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm until December 2018.She is very interested in the area of brain injury and completed her placement last year at NewBeginnings.

Medic Alert and Brain Injury Canada Partnership

MedicAlert is designed to help emergency responders and the police identify symptoms of brain injuryquickly, while responding with timely and customized care. The Medic Alert ID will serve as your voice in the event of an emergency. Additional features include a 24/7 Emergency Hotline and a Family Notification Service. If you are interested

November 23, 1 pm - 4 pm

1705 London Rd. in the Community Room (VON bldg beside Tim Hortons), Sarnia

Cost: $30 per person. Payment must be received by Nov. 8.

REGISTER BY NOVEMBER 8 Email Carolyn Sim at csim09@hotmail.com or call 519-337-5657

Name: _______________________________

Phone number: ______________________

Have you ever done card making before? Yes or No

On Saturday, November 23, 2019 Brain Injury Association Sarnia Lambton will be hosting a Christmas Card Making Fundraiser. This event is to raise money to help offset costs of their Card Making Group and Making Memories Scrapbooking Group. Participants will make 5 different Christmas card designs of 4 sets per design, which will give participants a total of 20 cards. Grab some friends and sign up for a fun & creative afternoon! Refreshments & door prizes.

BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION SARNIA LAMBTON

Christmas Card Making Fundraiser

Saturday, November 23 1 - 4 pm

Rowan’s Law Day – Wednesday, September 25

Rowan’s Law Day falls on the last Wednesday in the month of September. It is a provincially recog-nized day to help generate awareness about Concussion Safety. This was establish after the tragic death of Rowan Stringer, a high school student in Ottawa who died in the Spring of 2013 from a condition known as Sudden Impact Syndrome. This is more commonly referred to the swelling of the brain caused by a secondary injury before an initial injury is properly healed. It is believed that Rowan sustained three concussions over a six day period while playing rugby. Neither Rowan, her parents or her coaches knew at the time, that she required time to heal her brain after the first concussion.

A concussion is a brain injury that may not be detected X-rays, CT scans or MRIs. It may affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts. A blow to the head, face or neck may cause a concussion. A con-cussion may also be caused by a sudden hit to the body, particularly if the force causes the brain to move around inside the skull. A concussion can happen to anyone – anywhere – including:• at home, school or your workplace• following a car, bike or pedestrian accident• from participating in games, sports or other physical activity

A concussion is a serious injury. While the effects are typically short-term, a concussion can lead to long-lasting symptoms and even long-term effects.

There are many signs and symptoms of a concussion to look out for, including:• headache• dizziness• ringing in the ears• memory loss• nausea• light sensitivity• drowsiness• depression

If you notice signs of a concussion in others, or experience any of these symptoms yourself, consult with a physician or nurse practitioner (Hit, Stop. Sit. Rowan’s Law., website of Government of Ontario, 9 May 2019).

Shreen DewShreena is a 3rd year Sheridan College student taking Visual and Creative Arts.

My Story

I never thought in a million years this would ever happen to me. Most people think that way too, but in a moment your life could change…

I’m an artist attending Sheridan College. May 25th 2018 was the day my life changed. I was biking home at 7:00pm. I remember pressing the button at the lights and waiting for them to change. Once I saw the green light and walking sign, still looking both ways, I started to bike across the street. All I remember was car headlights, and then everything went black.

That’s it; this is how my life ends?

Why me?

Waking up confused, I thought “Why am I laying on the ground? Why am I not at home by now?”I was hit by a car! Luckily, I didn’t break any bones. All my organs were fine and I had no bleeding in the brain. I did end up with staples in my head and a brain injury. I am dealing with constant head-aches, dizziness, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. I am also unable to concentrate or re-member things, have severe anxiety, sadness, depression and irritability. Everything that I do seems to be a little more difficult. Yes, that’s a concussion. This is my new normal.

We don’t always get to choose what happens to us but we can choose how we react to the things that happen to us. I chose to stay positive and move forward. It is very difficult to stay positive and happy but with the help of many wonderful people, I am on my way back!

By, Shreena Dew

UPCOMINGBIASL ACTIVITIES

Note: Please call the Brain Injury Association Sarnia Lambton office at 519-337-5657 or email sarnia.biasl@gmail.com. if you wish to participate in any of the following events.

We appreciate RSVPs!

Note: Please know that if there is a concern with the cost of any of our activities, please advise Lori so that this can be resolved in a fair manner.

Coffee Group: Do you enjoy good coffee, great food, meeting new people, and socializing with old friends? Then join us for the Coffee Group! This group meets every Tuesday at the Coffee Lodge on Exmouth Street at 1:00 pm.

Please note, as we have grown in numbers, the Coffee Lodge has agreed to reserve the back section of tables for us by the windows and benches. This will allow us to have our own space, without creating any barriers for the other customers

Tues, Sept 3rd

Tues, Sept 10h Tues, Sept 17th

Tues, Sept 24th Tues, Oct 1st

Tues, Oct 8th Tues, Oct 15th

Tues, Oct 22nd

Family and Caregiver Support Group: We know that Brain Injury does not affect the survivor alone. Caregivers need an opportunity to speak with other caregivers. Thur, Sept 5h

Thur, Oct 3rd 10am

VON Community Room Throwback Night Potluck 5:30, VON, since September is a month that often reminds us of our school days, please bring a dish that reminds you of your childhood. .

Wed, Sept 11th 5:30pm

VON Community Room Camp Dawn: Meet the bus at Canadian Tire on September 12 at 11:15 Thur, Sept 12th

Fri, Sept 13th

Sat, Sept 14th

Card Making: Come out and enjoy an afternoon of card making with Carolyn. You can always personalize a card for a birthday; get well or thinking of you as well. Thur, Sept 12th

Thur, Oct 3rd 1-3pm

VON Community Room

Lunch Out: Join us for a nice lunch out at Lake Point Grill House located at 1150 Christina Street N. in Sarnia

Wed, Sept 18th 12pm

Lake Point

Lunch Out: Join us for a nice lunch out at Lake Point Grill House located at 1150 Christina Street N. in Sarnia

Wed, Sept 18th 12pm

Lake Point Making Memories Scrapbooking: Come out and enjoy an afternoon of scrapbooking and have your memories to cherish. Thur, Sept 19th

Thur, Oct 17th

1pm VON Community Room

Bingo: Do you have what it takes to win? Try your luck with a fun game of BINGO Thur, Sept 26th

Thur, Oct 10th 1-2:30pm

VON Community Room Pumpkin Fest: Enjoy a beautiful fall day at Korny Korners, 6193 Blackwell Side Rd, Sarnia, Pumpkin Fest, 1 pm $5 Please Note: Rain Date will be on October 6 at 1 pm. Join us for some traditional Fall Fun as we enjoy Hay Rides, John Deere Pedal Go-Carts, Farmer Roger’s Mini-Put and more….

Sat, Oct 5th 1pm

Korny Korners

OBIA Caregiver Workshop: Come out for an educational workshop at Redeemer Christian Reformed Church, 5834 Blackwell Side Rd., Sarnia Wed, Oct 16th

1-4pmRedeemer Church

Jewellery Making: Come on out and get a head start on some Christmas gifts! Design and make your own earrings and bracelets. Wed, Oct 23rd

1-3pmVON Community Room

Halloween Potluck: Don’t forget to wear a costume…prizes will be awarded for categories including the following: * Most Original Costume * Scariest Costume * Best Overall Costume * Best Couples Costume * Most Creative Costume

Thur, Oct 24th 5:30pm

VON Community Room

Mooretown Flags Hockey Game: Join us for a night of hockey at 1166 Emily St., Mooretown, ON Sat, Oct 26th

Time TBA Mooretown Arena

Lunch Out: Join us for a delicious lunch Boston Pizza located at 1400 Exmouth Street in Sarnia

Thur, Oct31st 12pm

Boston Pizza

The harder you think, the more oxygen and fuel your brain will

use from your blood – up to 50 percent.

BIASL Board of Directors:

Kevin Cheung (President), Jillian Prior (Vice President), Jacob Lavoie (Treasurer), Marg Mitchell, Kelly Steeves, Mike Janssen (Secretary), Christina Martin,Chantal Prasad (Past President), Martin McNeill and Rhonda Houghton

Membership

Assistance can be provided for individuals who would like to renew or obtain a free membership by completing an on line research questionnaire by OBIA (Ontario Brain Injury Association). Please

contact the BIASL office at 519-337-5657 if you require assistance completing survey

Donations

BIASL is a registered non-profit organization incorporated in 1994. Currently there is no on-going or provincial funding for our organization; therefore we rely on all of our own fundraising. For this reason, at anytime donations come our way, we are most grateful. We thank you for considering us at anytime

throughout the year! With this being said, you can donate on line from our website at www.sarniabiasl.ca.

Volunteers Needed

Brain Injury Association Sarnia Lambton is looking for volunteers. Assistance is greatly appreciated.We are especially looking for volunteers to help with social leisure and fundraising activities.

Also looking for a volunteer Office Administrator. Please call 519-337-5657 for more details.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call BIASL at 519-337-5657 or email info@sarniabiasl.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!

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