The president of the Brain Injury Association of North Bay and Area says brain injuries are underestimated.
Tracey Poole says one reason for this is because the injury is hidden.
She says someone might look fine but may in fact have been suffering from post-concussion symptoms for years like memory issues or ongoing headaches.
However Poole says the reality is it’s estimated that in Ontario alone there are half a million people living with the effects of a brain injury.
“It’s also estimated that there are 46,000 new brain injuries a year,” Poole said.
Poole made the comments during an event in North Bay to increase awareness about brain injuries and how caregivers can help a family member who is recovering a from such an injury.
Poole became involved with the association after her brother had an aneurysm in 2013.
During that first 12 months, Poole says her brother had five brain surgeries and suffered three strokes.
The good news is he’s almost made a full recovery and Poole adds he’s now able to manage his affairs.
“But he’s fortunate and not all stories end that way,” she said.
Poole says in recent years awareness about brain injuries has grown thanks to football and hockey stories emerging about players suffering concussions.
But she says there is no standardized system in place to teach a caregiver how to help someone with a brain injury.
“You just learn by doing,” Poole said.
“Also every brain injury is different. For example two people with a concussion will likely have different symptoms.”
Poole says one area where caregivers can get help is thanks to a network of other caregivers and brain injury survivors.
She says these people know what a person is going through and are available to provide suggestions “and maybe save you some grief along the way.”
The awareness day was the first time the association held the event in North Bay and Poole says it may hold another similar event in the future.