Blog
Sounds of the Season by Debra Erickson
Maybe it’s Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas” that gets your adrenaline going and your shopping list done. Brenda Lee singing “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree” is the motivation I need to do my decorating. Of course, there’s the slow sipping of my eggnog...
Letters to Myself by Debra Erickson
This month, on November 11th, we’ll take two minutes to pause, reflect on the sacrifice made by those who have served during times of conflict. I make a point each year of going through the old black and white photos I have of relatives who were in the army. There’s...
A Case of Mistaken Identity by Debra Erickson
I would have to say that nine times out of ten when I’m introduced to someone, they will say: “you look very familiar”. This is always followed by: where do you work? Where do you live? Are you related to ...etc. I tell people I’m a twin, which is true so they...
Provincial Strategy for Brain Injury Support and Advocacy Needed Now by Janelle Breese Biagioni
This post is in response to the recent announcement regarding involuntary care under the Mental Health Act. I want to acknowledge the thoughtful work that has gone into developing this important strategy, aimed at supporting individuals with complex mental health and...
Mind Those Margins by Debra Erickson
I see it coming, the month of September. Why do I hold my breath when I reach to turn the calendar forward to the next page? I think it’s because September is a lot like my storage closet under the stairs. If I could open it slowly, one day at a time, I could breathe...
Let The Games Begin by Debra Erickson
On Friday, July 26, the world watched as the Olympic Games were officially opened in Paris, France. Two hundred and six countries are taking part. For the first time ever, the ceremonies took place outdoors. Ninety boats formed a parade down the Seine transporting...
Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health, and Addictions: A Stakeholder-Driven Priority-Setting Study
Ten Priorities for Research Addressing the Intersections of Brain Injury, Mental Health and Addictions: A Stakeholder‐Driven Priority‐Setting Study Kennedy, C.J., Woodin, E., Schmidt, J., Biagioni, J.B., & Garcia-Barrera, M.A. (2024). Ten Priorities for Research...
Priorities for Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury
UBC researchers and community stakeholders have published a paper on the Priorities for Quality of Life After Brain Injury and an informative infographic. It is known that individuals who have sustained a brain injury may experience changes to their quality of...
Summer Migrations by Debra Erickson
Last week anxious travelers watched as WestJet mechanics negotiated on a tentative deal. It resulted in 1,078 flights being canceled and over 100,000 frustrated customers stranded in cities across Canada. Have you ever experienced airport anxiety? We all know it’s...
Mother’s Metamorphosis by Debra Erickson
We will take a moment this month to wish Happy Mother’s Day to the person who fills that role in our lives. It is a role that is always changing. We find ourselves flexing and stretching through the years to straddle the demands of home and work. Throw a Traumatic...
The Impact of Brain Injury on One’s Inner Calendar
Forgetting something here and there usually isn't a problem. It happens to everyone. Memory loss is often associated with aging. People say things like, "My memory isn't what it use to be." But what if you were in your 20s and as a result of a traumatic brain injury,...
Why Write a Blog?
~By Debra Erickson May 16, 2008, I was heading up our city’s Bike to Work Week. While cycling home from my office that day, I was hit by a truck. The vehicle fled the scene and left me unconscious at the side of the road. That split second forever altered my life. Two...
Between the Lines: Stories of Brain Injury Survivors (Introduction)
Debra’s Journey: Introduction Brainstreams is pleased to introduce Debra Erickson, the newest writer in our Between the Lines series committed to sharing the stories of brain injury survivors. Debra Erickson was the victim of a hit and run in May 2008 and sustained a...