A room open for acceptance and interaction with peers at the Victoria Brain Injury Society is a highlight of Lori JousiB次元官网网址檚 week.

The Langford residentB次元官网网址檚 journey with the downtown Victoria organization started during a day off work, Nov. 19, 2020, with a debilitating stroke at the base of her brain.

Lucky to have it while awake B次元官网网址� her words B次元官网网址� Jousi managed to rouse her son to take her to the ER where she lived for hours, followed by days spent in Victoria General Hospital.

SheB次元官网网址檇 been unwell before that, but struggled for several reasons to get in to her family doctor B次元官网网址� facing delay after delay. The tests she previously sought came freely in the weeks spent at VGH after her stroke.

The road to recovery included outpatient rehab B次元官网网址� in part because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were limited options B次元官网网址� doing the work at home and utilizing outpatient services for physio, occupational and speech therapy and following up on the recommendation to visit the Victoria Brain Injury Society.

B次元官网网址淭his was the only place open to in-person interaction, which is what they really needed me to have,B次元官网网址� she explained, seated in one of many small offices in the Nootka Court where the society recently settled.

The end result of a brain injury can vary by individual depending on the severity and location of the injury, with enough similarities that ring true across the board.

Brain injury symptoms are categorized into physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural. The physical takes a toll, from headaches to seizures and sensitivity to light. Cognitive may include difficulty concentrating, memory issues and slowed thinking or processing as well as trouble finding words or communicating.

Emotional symptoms include mood swings, irritability or aggression, depression or anxiety and increased emotional sensitivity; behavioural include impulsivity or poor judgment, difficulty with social interactions, changes in personality and lack of motivation or apathy.

All in all, things just change, Jousi said. You can be quicker to anger, more emotional and simply not understand whatB次元官网网址檚 going on sometimes. It can mean something as simple as relearning to pace the day

B次元官网网址淲e have things to work on all the time.B次元官网网址�

For her, the crux of programs at the society is peer support, with Victoria Brain Injury Society offering regular sessions three days a week and a group for those who identify as women on a fourth day.

B次元官网网址淭o sit and be in a room with somebody was a big deal,B次元官网网址� Jousi explained. B次元官网网址淎 hard part for a brain-injured person is being accepted. We know here weB次元官网网址檙e accepted.B次元官网网址�

The program allows people to work through challenges in a safe and supportive environment with mentors who understand what theyB次元官网网址檙e going through.

The newest program at VIBS includes counselling in partnership with University of Victoria students. It's a critical new piece for the organization, according to executive director Pam Prewett.

Brain injury is so complex, and can include intersections with drug use and abuse or mental health, there are different counselling requirements.

The organization also offers ABI 101 a four-week program of basics on brain injury followed by coping strategies two hours a week. There again people learn from each other. For example, Prewett said, one peer supporter recently learned to carry a notebook B次元官网网址� building easier communication back into their world.

ABI 101 is offered for survivors as well as for family, caregivers and sometimes employers, which can help with another goal: acceptance.

Being accepted includes others learning and accommodating more, Jousi said.

B次元官网网址淭hey have to want to learn, to want to be able to understand why we behave the way we do,B次元官网网址� she emphasized. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not children.B次元官网网址�

Now sheB次元官网网址檚 a peer support volunteer B次元官网网址� trained to facilitate group discussions, share experiences, answer questions about brain injury, and pass on helpful coping techniques.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a way of being able to be social and being accepting of our differences,B次元官网网址� Jousi said. B次元官网网址淲e just donB次元官网网址檛 want to feel weB次元官网网址檙e invisible. WeB次元官网网址檙e still a part of regular society.B次元官网网址�

Learn more about the organization, including how to get tickets to the big fundraiser of the year B次元官网网址� An Evening of Black and WhiteB次元官网网址� Because Grey Matters gala March 1 at UVic B次元官网网址� at .