This letter is in response to yet another attempt to decrease support and funding to a TBI ( Traumatic Brain Injury) support group in B.C., this time the East Kootenay. The East Kootenay Brain Injury Association was closing its doors until an emergency meeting between them and IH ( Interior Health). IH was able to come up with some funding only after many of the people affected by the closure called to express their anger, fear, and the devestating effects it would have on their life.

TBI is the number one killer and disabler of people under the age of 45 and there is very little support in most communities in B.C., not to mention no intensive in-patient rehab facility in B.C. Former Health Minister Kevin Falcon expressed that the Liberal government gave $25 million for brain injury rehab. His statement was misleading. In actual fact, the $25 million was given to The Brain Research Centre of UBC in February of 2008. Those monies did not go to help fund support groups or rehabilitation of TBI survivors. Given that brain injury has now become an epidemic in this country, one would think the government would be more willing to step up to the plate to help survivors to get back home and out into their communities. Instead, government sweeps the survivors into group homes, long term care facilities, and some survivors unable to cope end up homeless and hopeless.

Understanding brain injury is difficult for most unless you have been through it yourself or know someone who has. The recent loss of three NHL players should make the effects of TBI more clear to some of you. When your brain is damaged, it needs repair, long, consistent support. These people need to know that their depression is a part of TBI, their lack of social skills and their lack of self-esteem is a part of TBI. Without groups such as EKBIA (above mentioned) survivors cocoon themselves in their homes, self medicate with alcohol and over the counter and prescription drugs. These groups provide an outlet to express their fears and other feelings of doubt about themselves with others going through the same process. And without the intensive in-patient rehab facility, those with severe TBI, don’t even get the chance to return to their communities at all.

This letter is being sent to the House as not a request, not to plead, but to demand that the Government of B.C. lead the way in the support for TBI survivors on all levels.

Kimberley Harris

WifeTBI survivor Norman Gagatek

B..C Taxpayer and self-appointed advocate for Brain Injury Rehab in B.C.

Invermere

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