Parkwood Institute
Acquired Brain Injury
Survivor and Family Education Series
Spring 2015 Schedule
The survivor and family education series is a forum open to individuals with acquired brain injury, their
family, and friends. The goals of the series are to share education and information, provide
opportunities to meet other individuals and family members affected by brain injury, and to encourage
peer support. Sessions are Tuesday evenings 6:30-8:00 p.m. In London, the sessions are held in the
Parkwood Auditorium (Room B-283) on the main level of the Main Building at Parkwood Institute. The
sessions are also broadcast via videoconference to the following areas: Grand Bend, Hanover, Owen
Sound, Sarnia, Stratford, Windsor and Woodstock.
March 24th
Brain Injury 101 – Part 1
Speaker:
Kelly Williston Wardell, Occupational Therapist
Lisa McCorquodale, Occupational Therapist
This session provides an overview of the structure and function of the brain and
what goes wrong when an injury happens, as a basis for understanding the
changes that occur in an individual following a brain injury. The presenters will
describe some of the physical, cognitive, emotional, social and behavioural
consequences of brain injuries and offer some examples of strategies for
managing these.
March 31st
Brain Injury 101 – Part 2
Speaker:
Kelly Williston Wardell, Occupational Therapist
Jill Bowen, Social Worker
The presenters will continue to discuss the physical, cognitive, emotional, social
and behavioural consequences of brain injuries and offer some examples of
strategies for managing these.
April 7th
Practical Strategies for Managing your Life
Speaker:
Susan Rice, Occupational Therapist
How do you organize your life differently following an acquired brain injury?
This session focuses on some of the knowledge, thinking strategies, tools, and
habits that make life easier for individuals with brain injuries and their families.
April 14th
Changes in Social Communication Following ABI
Speakers:
Connie Ferri, Speech Language Pathologist
Stephanie Muir Derbyshire, Speech Language Pathologist
This session will discuss social communication changes after acquired brain
injury, skills of a great communicator and tips for improving topic initiation, topic
maintenance and topic closure.
April 14th (cont’d) Noise, Noise Noise!
Speaker: Patti Hinton, Audiologist
Are you sensitive to sounds around you? Are you avoiding social events, family
gatherings and eating out because it's just too hard to follow conversation in
noise and groups? Do you find yourself reaching for earplugs? These problems
can develop after a brain injury. Their impact on day-to-day functioning and on
recovery from ABI will be presented.
April 21st
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Sleep
Speakers:
Chris Fraser, Registered Dietitian
Laura Graham, Physiotherapist
This session will discuss nutrition, sleep, and gradual return to physical activity
and the important role each play as building blocks in recovery following brain
injury.
April 28th
Minding your P's: The Importance of Pacing and Planning
Activities After Brain Injury
Speaker:
Becky Moran, Occupational Therapist
This session will focus on managing fatigue following a brain injury using
pacing, planning and a points system as a way to structure daily activities.
May 5th
Difficulty with Emotional Control - Navigating Daily Ups
and Downs, Keeping the Peace
Speakers:
Dave Furac
Dan Pettapiece
This presentation will discuss strategies to manage those moments of difficulty
with emotional control that sometimes occur following brain injury. Topics to be
discussed include:
 Recognizing trigger points: knowing your limit and staying within it.
 Managing daily stressors in the home environment.
 Semantics: Not what you say but how you say it.
 Meaningful engagement as a means to an end.
May 12th
Survivor Stories
In this session you will have the opportunity to hear the stories of survivors as
they journey through their recovery from brain injury.