By Kat Boag-Munroe
East Kootenay Brain Injury Association
It was Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 8:11 a.m. I will never forget the words, "Your husband has had a fall and is being transported to Fernie hospital. You better come immediately."
February 28, 2012, again, words that still haunt me, "Your daughter has fallen on the ski hill and is being transported to Cranbrook hospital by ambulance with a head injury."
We had always purchased helmets for our kids growing up on the Kimberley ski hill but once they became teeagers all we could do was trust that they wore them. That day in emergency the ambulance attendants and doctors confirmed that it was that helmet that prevented Abi from a potentially disasterous accident.
Eleven months previously Joe had fallen from a machine at the mine where he was a heavy duty mechanic and sustained a basal skull fracture and frontal lobe brain injury.
The brain injury staff at Foothills told us this was going to be a marathon recovery and it has taken the expertise of specialist doctors, nursing staff, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counsellors and community support services.
The bottom line is that brains need to be protected and in these two cases both were wearing helmets but injuries still occur and it’s a life-changing experience. I am previleged to be working with East Kootenay Brain injury association and we have so much to offer. June is Brain Injury Awareness month. Please join us by becoming a member or calling for information.