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Five years ago I was in a life altering car accident. As a result I now have a Brain Injury that has left me with cognitive deficits, such as issues learning, reading, speaking and thinking, and an inability to be around people and busy-ness. I still haven’t recovered to the point that I can live and work on my own. It’s never been easy for me to ask for help, but after 5 years of trying to deal with my injuries on my own and slipping through the cracks, I need help. I have a much better chance to recover with you by my side.
Last year, I took part in a program that finally gave me real hope that I can get my life back. Unfortunately this program is outside of my reach financially, so I’m starting this GoFundMe to continue my treatment.
My Story
On a rainy afternoon in January 2014, my car hydroplaned out of control and spun like a wayward dreidel into the side of a mountain. I sustained a serious brain injury, multiple soft tissue injuries, and nerve damage in my neck and face.
Every day I cope with severe migraines, dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, brain fog, memory issues, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Simple activities like reading, going to the grocery store, having a conversation or even washing my hair, are extremely difficult for me and leave me exhausted. I can’t get enough sleep, and if I overdo it, the repercussions can last for days afterward.
Before the accident I was a welder for almost ten years. At the time of the accident I was about to begin my dream job: teaching night classes in welding at Camosun College. Post-accident, I tried to manage on my own but after nearly a year I realized that I needed help, and I moved cities to live with my parents, grandmother, and sister. As things stand now, I'm still unable to work. I want to be able to work and live independently again.
After being discharged from the hospital, I immediately saw my family physician. I worked with the medical system and insurance company but it was complicated and I was unable to access all the services needed. It took almost a year for me to be formally diagnosed with an acquired brain injury (ABI). I was given a recommendation to the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, but since it had been over six months since the accident, I was unable to participate.
New Hope
Over the past five years I have tried a wide variety of therapies: Some were ineffective; some of them were helpful, but too costly to sustain. The biggest breakthrough in my recovery came in 2018 when I participated in a new program run by the Watson Society Center for Brain Health, through UBC. This program was life-changing for me in that for the first time since the accident I have had hope for recovery. My 3 months in the program dramatically improved my cognitive functioning, processing speed, reading comprehension, and I even regained aspects of my personality I had lost. The staff understand the issues faced by those of us with brain injuries, and it has been invaluable to be a part of a community of people who experience the same challenges as me.
Through the Watson program I learned about specialized therapies and health care providers that I may never have come into contact with on my own. During the three months of the Watson Program I had to miss several days due the difficulties I have with processing visual information, and extreme migraines and body pain. I was referred to visual therapy and concussion-specific chiropractic, which I explored after the program. Both of these therapies were life changing: the chiropractic was the first therapy to truly relieve some of my pain and visual therapy allows me to read and process visual information without the nausea and fatigue that normally accompanies these activities. I’d ideally like to pursue all three programs in order to have the best recovery.
What We’re Funding
Participation in Watson Program 6 months = $15,600
Visual Therapy for 6 months to correct eye movements and learn strategies for processing visual information = $8800
Specialized Chiropractic for 6 months to address severe migraines and body pain = $5760
Raising Awareness
My greatest desire is to raise awareness and share as much information as I can about mild traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, so people don't fall through the cracks and struggle as much as I have. I plan to start a Facebook page to tell my story in more detail, and to share what I've learned about Post-Concussion Syndrome and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. If someone ends up in a similar situation, the information and strategies I share will allow them to find the help they need more effectively.
Thank You
I know that my life will never be the same as it was before. I'm a different person now, with different abilities. I have a deeper understanding of how brain injury impacts one’s life. I look forward to doing all the things that I love again, even if the way I do them is different. And with my success I will be able to help others dealing with similar issues.
If you wish to contribute, a donation of any size makes a huge difference. Of course, sharing and talking to others about this campaign is immensely appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this GoFundMe, for being an important part of my healing journey and for joining in increasing awareness for those dealing with brain injuries.
In Gratitude and with much Love,
Heather <3
FAQ’S:
Q: Why do you need this, Isn’t Heath Care in Canada Free?
Answer: Some of it is, Kind of... what happened to me could be compared to ageing out of public school. Once you are 18 years old are up you can’t go to school with minors anymore. Once six months had passed since the date of injury, I couldn’t go to brain school with everybody else anymore.
Q: You were in a car accident, doesn’t your car insurance pay for this?
Answer: Again, kind of. In the province of B.C., When you’re in a single car accident you are immediately considered “at fault “. This puts you under what used to be called “part 7 benefits”. These are tertiary benefits and only kick in once you’ve exhausted all government sources, and any private medical coverage you may have. Any coverage after that is restricted and at their discretion, with reimbursements often being less than $20 / approved appointment... this is helpful, but the remainder adds up fast when you have multiple appointments Per week each at over $100. Under this system you are not entitled to any type of “settlement”, aka no lump sum will be paid out, since there is no litigation.
I spent a little over 5 years under that system, where a host of things happened that are just another story for another day. Now that they have overhauled the whole Insurance system, I am in a slightly better position, but again support is limited. I am not recovered to the point where I can support myself, and my claim won’t go on forever. Essentially I’m ageing out of the system again.
Please understand that I am very grateful for both the insurance and government medical services support that I have received, but that isn’t to say that it is has not been immensely frustrating and difficult to navigate (ultimately impeding my recovery time) or that both of the systems could function to support people with brain injury better.
Links to Practitioners and information about brain injury:
https://watsonbrainhealth.com/
https://sportmedbc.com/practitioners/38007
http://www.foundationforintegratedhealth.com/
https://vbia.ca/ Vancouver brain injury association
The link below Explains vision therapy. The Video at the bottom of the page is good.
https://concussionproject.com
A bit on “eye teaming”
http://www.drgallaway.com/vision-and-learning/eye-teaming-focusing-and-tracking/
Last year, I took part in a program that finally gave me real hope that I can get my life back. Unfortunately this program is outside of my reach financially, so I’m starting this GoFundMe to continue my treatment.
My Story
On a rainy afternoon in January 2014, my car hydroplaned out of control and spun like a wayward dreidel into the side of a mountain. I sustained a serious brain injury, multiple soft tissue injuries, and nerve damage in my neck and face.
Every day I cope with severe migraines, dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, brain fog, memory issues, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. Simple activities like reading, going to the grocery store, having a conversation or even washing my hair, are extremely difficult for me and leave me exhausted. I can’t get enough sleep, and if I overdo it, the repercussions can last for days afterward.
Before the accident I was a welder for almost ten years. At the time of the accident I was about to begin my dream job: teaching night classes in welding at Camosun College. Post-accident, I tried to manage on my own but after nearly a year I realized that I needed help, and I moved cities to live with my parents, grandmother, and sister. As things stand now, I'm still unable to work. I want to be able to work and live independently again.
After being discharged from the hospital, I immediately saw my family physician. I worked with the medical system and insurance company but it was complicated and I was unable to access all the services needed. It took almost a year for me to be formally diagnosed with an acquired brain injury (ABI). I was given a recommendation to the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, but since it had been over six months since the accident, I was unable to participate.
New Hope
Over the past five years I have tried a wide variety of therapies: Some were ineffective; some of them were helpful, but too costly to sustain. The biggest breakthrough in my recovery came in 2018 when I participated in a new program run by the Watson Society Center for Brain Health, through UBC. This program was life-changing for me in that for the first time since the accident I have had hope for recovery. My 3 months in the program dramatically improved my cognitive functioning, processing speed, reading comprehension, and I even regained aspects of my personality I had lost. The staff understand the issues faced by those of us with brain injuries, and it has been invaluable to be a part of a community of people who experience the same challenges as me.
Through the Watson program I learned about specialized therapies and health care providers that I may never have come into contact with on my own. During the three months of the Watson Program I had to miss several days due the difficulties I have with processing visual information, and extreme migraines and body pain. I was referred to visual therapy and concussion-specific chiropractic, which I explored after the program. Both of these therapies were life changing: the chiropractic was the first therapy to truly relieve some of my pain and visual therapy allows me to read and process visual information without the nausea and fatigue that normally accompanies these activities. I’d ideally like to pursue all three programs in order to have the best recovery.
What We’re Funding
Participation in Watson Program 6 months = $15,600
Visual Therapy for 6 months to correct eye movements and learn strategies for processing visual information = $8800
Specialized Chiropractic for 6 months to address severe migraines and body pain = $5760
Raising Awareness
My greatest desire is to raise awareness and share as much information as I can about mild traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, so people don't fall through the cracks and struggle as much as I have. I plan to start a Facebook page to tell my story in more detail, and to share what I've learned about Post-Concussion Syndrome and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. If someone ends up in a similar situation, the information and strategies I share will allow them to find the help they need more effectively.
Thank You
I know that my life will never be the same as it was before. I'm a different person now, with different abilities. I have a deeper understanding of how brain injury impacts one’s life. I look forward to doing all the things that I love again, even if the way I do them is different. And with my success I will be able to help others dealing with similar issues.
If you wish to contribute, a donation of any size makes a huge difference. Of course, sharing and talking to others about this campaign is immensely appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this GoFundMe, for being an important part of my healing journey and for joining in increasing awareness for those dealing with brain injuries.
In Gratitude and with much Love,
Heather <3
FAQ’S:
Q: Why do you need this, Isn’t Heath Care in Canada Free?
Answer: Some of it is, Kind of... what happened to me could be compared to ageing out of public school. Once you are 18 years old are up you can’t go to school with minors anymore. Once six months had passed since the date of injury, I couldn’t go to brain school with everybody else anymore.
Q: You were in a car accident, doesn’t your car insurance pay for this?
Answer: Again, kind of. In the province of B.C., When you’re in a single car accident you are immediately considered “at fault “. This puts you under what used to be called “part 7 benefits”. These are tertiary benefits and only kick in once you’ve exhausted all government sources, and any private medical coverage you may have. Any coverage after that is restricted and at their discretion, with reimbursements often being less than $20 / approved appointment... this is helpful, but the remainder adds up fast when you have multiple appointments Per week each at over $100. Under this system you are not entitled to any type of “settlement”, aka no lump sum will be paid out, since there is no litigation.
I spent a little over 5 years under that system, where a host of things happened that are just another story for another day. Now that they have overhauled the whole Insurance system, I am in a slightly better position, but again support is limited. I am not recovered to the point where I can support myself, and my claim won’t go on forever. Essentially I’m ageing out of the system again.
Please understand that I am very grateful for both the insurance and government medical services support that I have received, but that isn’t to say that it is has not been immensely frustrating and difficult to navigate (ultimately impeding my recovery time) or that both of the systems could function to support people with brain injury better.
Links to Practitioners and information about brain injury:
https://watsonbrainhealth.com/
https://sportmedbc.com/practitioners/38007
http://www.foundationforintegratedhealth.com/
https://vbia.ca/ Vancouver brain injury association
The link below Explains vision therapy. The Video at the bottom of the page is good.
https://concussionproject.com
A bit on “eye teaming”
http://www.drgallaway.com/vision-and-learning/eye-teaming-focusing-and-tracking/