With inconsistent support for brain injuries in Canada, peer groups are a lifeline

Brain injuries are misunderstood and isolating. They can have little to no external signs but completely upend someone’s inner workings and daily life. In the absence of robust, consistent supports across Canada, survivors turn to one another.Carla Eckert got a brain injury from encephalitis in 2022. She's maintained a positive attitude, as evidenced by her collection of inspirational T-shirts.

"It means I'm not alone," says another. "It means I can absolutely be myself. If I cry — that's all right."Brain injuries are misunderstood and isolating. They can have little to no external signs but completely upend someone's inner workings and daily life., such as a sports concussion or car accident. That doesn't include tens of thousands more who aren't hospitalized or who suffer an acquired brain injury, such as from a stroke or tumour.

"I look fine, but if you were to spend more than 10 minutes in my brain, you would be very scared," says Butler. "It doesn't think like everyone else's brain." "I think they feel comfort in that they're not alone — that someone else knows what they've been going through." Knaus says this setting can be good for developing social skills, practising interacting with staff and making decisions.

Patel isn't a stranger to brain injuries: his father suffered a debilitating stroke 20 years ago, for which Patel says he didn't get much treatment. "When we work together, we become part of something bigger than just ourselves," says Mike Pelzer, who has been running the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association's drumming group since 2010.

Her love of life is apparent on her Instagram account, which she uses as a public diary of simple daily pleasures, like prepping breakfast buffets, dancing while cleaning and devotedly cheering on her favourite sports teams. In the drumming circle, those relationships have lent themselves to a synchronicity. The players find a rhythm together when the rest of their life feels off-beat. Closing their eyes as they get into the groove, they also stop on cue. Silence and some peace.It's the new year and Eckert is sporting another T-shirt in her favourite colour. This one says, "I see no good reason to act my age.

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