As more we learn about the brain, we害羞草研究所檙e learning more about how even the slightest injury can have the most dire consequences.
Over the years we害羞草研究所檝e heard from victims of assault, those who have suffered concussions in sports and recreation, and even those who have simply been in fender benders and struggled to make sense of a life after brain injury.
With one man害羞草研究所檚 struggle after an assault as a starting point to look further into the issue of brain trauma, 害羞草研究所 reporters wrote this series to shine a light on the dark corners of the mind.
Crime and punishing injuries: A victim害羞草研究所檚 struggle with brain injury
By Kathy Michaels
It took just nine minutes to destroy the life John Smith spent decades building.
He was walking his daughter to school April 1, 2016, with her backpack slung over his shoulder.
害羞草研究所淲e had literally just stopped holding hands after crossing the road and he got us,害羞草研究所� said Smith, who asked to use a pseudonym for this article, due to ongoing fears of his assailant.
His attacker levied multiple blows to Smith害羞草研究所檚 head, with a story that made headlines across the city, his life was forever changed.
Ex-athlete living in concussion害羞草研究所檚 wake
By Warren Henderson
Giving up his lifelong passion was the most difficult decision Josh Leins ever had to make.
A series of concussions over the course of several years forced the Kelowna man to reluctantly leave his days on the soccer pitch behind for good.
A talented player coming up through Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 minor system, the last and most severe of several head injuries ultimately led to Leins害羞草研究所� retirement in 2010. During a game that summer for the Pacific Coast League害羞草研究所檚 Okanagan Challenge, while leaping for a ball, Leins took the full brunt of an opponent害羞草研究所檚 head square on his temple.
害羞草研究所淚 kind of knew that would be it for me,害羞草研究所� said Leins, 27, now living and working in Calgary.
Head injury prevention a 害羞草研究所榥o brainer害羞草研究所�
By Alistair Waters
BrainTrust Canada wants everyone害羞草研究所攂ut especially the young害羞草研究所攖o use their heads, not lose their heads害羞草研究所攚hen it comes to preventing brain injuries.
Play the game, save your brain
By Alistair Waters
Okanagan-based, not-for-profit association BrainTrust Canada is launching an innovative game to increase awareness of the seriousness of brain injury among youths aged 11 to 18.
The game, found online at www.protectyourhead.com, has three themes害羞草研究所攕kateboarding, hockey and workplace safety害羞草研究所攁ll potential risks for brain injury.
Read More 害羞草研究所�
June is brain injury awareness month
By Carli Berry
The Pushor Mitchell Okanagan Symposium on Brain Injury is back for another year on Thursday, June 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ramada Kelowna Hotel and Conference Centre.
Project studies brain injury in domestic violence
By Carli Berry
A new project in the Okanagan is studying traumatic brain injury in survivors of domestic violence.
The study will be conducted by UBC Okanagan associate vice-principal for research Paul van Donkelaar and his team, along with the Kelowna Women害羞草研究所檚 Shelter, the Elizabeth Fry Society, and the Kelowna Friendship Society.
The organizations will be recruiting participants for the study.
Editorial: Be cool and wear your helmet
By Kevin Parnell
It害羞草研究所檚 always so nice to see young families out riding bikes together.
There害羞草研究所檚 the littlest one, wobbling along on her princess bike, tassles and streamers and training wheels and a nice shiny new helmet all part of the package as she learns a skill never to be forgotten.
Her brother rides circles around her on his new BMX, his black skater-type helmet adorned with stickers, the chin strap safely done up in case of a tumble where head meets cement.
The kids are all armed and ready with the proper safety gear. How about mom and dad?
Michaels: Time for powers that be to deal with what contributes to crime
By Kathy Michaels
More than one in 10 men and nearly one in three women held in federal prisons have mental-health problems, according to 2009 figures from the Correctional Service of Canada. Those numbers represent a near-doubling in the total proportion of inmates with mental illnesses between 1997 and 2009.
Adding to that, nearly 80 per cent of prison inmates have suffered a brain injury.
What is the strategy for identifying or treating these issues before they become fodder for grisly headlines?
