Education & Prevention

Kamloops Brain Injury Association strives to raise awareness about brain injury, and to promote injury prevention in the community. Some of the ways we do this are through our Core Education Programs, the Injury Prevention Program, and the Concussion Resource Program.

 

Core Education Programs

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Survivor Education

When taken together, the following three components of our Core Education Program will help survivors learn to accept the changes that have taken place in their lives after their brain injury, and are an integral part in reintegrating into a world that is different than the one lived in pre-injury. Brain Injury Basics is led by KBIA’s Education & Prevention Coordinator, and Rebuilding after Brain Injury and Connect, Learn, Grow are led by Life Skills Workers.

Part I: Brain Injury Basics

For survivors, their families, and caregivers, we offer a 3-session workshop series called Brain Injury Basics (BIB). BIB is an introduction to dealing with changes after brain injury. The workshops introduce basic brain functions and anatomy, cause and types of acquired brain injury, and healing after brain injury.

Part II: Rebuilding after Brain Injury

Survivors can follow BIB up with a 5-session workshop series called Rebuilding after Brain Injury (Rebuilding). Rebuilding goes further into detail on the subjects covered in Brain Injury Basics, spending more time discussing the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social effects that a brain injury can have.

Part III: Connect, Learn, Grow

The final component of our Core Education Program (** or education for survivors) is Connect, Learn, Grow (CLG). Before taking part in CLG it is important to have completed both BIB and Rebuilding, as CLG will build on what is learned in those two workshops.

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Injury Prevention Program

The Injury Prevention Program was started by KBIA in 1997. Each year we offer sessions to all elementary school classes in the Kamloops community. The students love this program and participate fully. The Injury Prevention Program promotes awareness of brain injury and injury prevention through safe practices, and correct helmet use. Survivors of brain injury play a key role in this program through their participation and sharing of information about their injury and the resulting impairments. This personal touch always seems to make the reality of brain injury much more meaningful and memorable for the students. This fun and interactive presentation helps students take safety seriously.

 
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Concussion Resource Program

In Fall of 2023, KBIA launched the Concussion Resource Program, thanks to a generous donation from 100 Women Who Care and the Spring 2023 Community Project Grant from BCICF. We also received a grant from Interior Community Services for new educational supplies and equipment.

The Concussion Resource Program was developed to provide information to all members of the community about concussion prevention, recognizing concussion symptoms, as well as healing and return to activity. We deliver a concussion awareness and safety lesson free of charge in the K-12 schools, and host education booths at public events. The program also supports survivors of concussion in managing effects of cognitive symptoms through an 8 - week Compensatory Cognitive Training program.

If you are a community member, group, or organization in need of concussion resources, please contact us at 250-372-1799, or by filling out the contact us form at the bottom of this page.

**Anyone with a suspected concussion should be checked out by a medical doctor. If any of the following red flag symptoms are present, seek medical attention immediately**

Red Flag Symptoms

  • Neck Pain

  • Deteriorating conscious sgtate

  • Increasing confusion or irritability

  • Severe or increasing headache

  • Forgetting what happened

  • Repeated vomiting

  • Unusual behaviour changes

  • Seizure or convulsions

  • Double vision

  • Weakness or tingling/burning in arms or legs

  • Slurred speech

  • Pupils that are bigger than normal or unequal in size

  • Leaking clear fluid from ears or nose

 
 
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Activities & Awareness

Activities & Awareness provides a great opportunity for the public to learn about brain injury and injury prevention and Kamloops Brain Injury Association takes part in many community events, in support of those individuals who face the challenges presented by the outcomes of brain injury. All are aimed at spreading the prevention message; and ultimately reducing the incidents of accidents and the resulting brain injury.

 

Contact us!

Interested in learning more about our education and presentation programs? Contact us now at education@kbia.ca.