Concussions can be life-changing. 

An injury impacting the head and mind, concussions effect people in different ways and everyone's recovery varies. 

For Okanagan College (OC) professor Colin Wallace, he knows from experience and is now doing something about it, as he wants to get students get back to the classroom in the best and healthiest way they can after recovering from the dreaded head injury.

Wallace, while pursuing his research degree, suffered a concussion and faced challenges in his recovery to get back in the classroom. Those challenges included intense fatigue and difficulty concentrating, and the experience changed his perspective a concussions and recovery.

Now an educator in OC's Department of Kinesiology, Wallace has been helping students through their journeys in recovery from concussions and mid-traumatic brain injuries. Because of this and his own experience, the Wallace has created and launched "a groundbreaking research project" aimed at student's learning after suffering a head injury.

B次元官网网址淎s a professor, IB次元官网网址檝e seen how concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries impact a studentB次元官网网址檚 ability to engage with their academics,B次元官网网址� Wallace says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 frustrating for students because they want to participate, but the nagging symptoms can often hold them back.B次元官网网址�

The initiative is focused on developing return-to-learn plans with personal accommodations for students as they recovery from a head injury. Wallace has received support for the project from OC, Braintrust Canada (a Kelowna-based non-profit specializing in brain injury prevention), a Mobilize Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

B次元官网网址淐oncussions and mild traumatic brain injuries can severely disrupt a studentB次元官网网址檚 ability to engage in their studies,B次元官网网址� added Wallace. B次元官网网址淥ur goal is to create a program that adapts to the unique needs of each student, ensuring they have equitable opportunities to succeed in their academic journey.B次元官网网址�

Right now, research on returning to the classroom following a concussion is sparse and often based on the return-to-sport strategies. During his research, Wallace will be working with students who are working through concussions.

"Feedback from students is absolutely essential,B次元官网网址� said Wallace. B次元官网网址淭hey are the ones who have lived through the experience of recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury while managing coursework. Their input will help ensure that the program we develop will be both practical and effective."

Crystal Krickemeyer, a third-year OC kinesiology student is a research assistant on the project, as she lives with a permanent disability and has spent years trying to navigate between her health and academic life.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been there,B次元官网网址� said Krickemeyer. B次元官网网址淛uggling studies while your health is compromised is tough, and students with concussions deserve the right resources to help them recover without falling behind.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 learning so much by being part of this research,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淚 get to apply my knowledge in a real-world setting, which makes my education at OC so much more valuable.B次元官网网址�

For BrainTrust Canada, the partnership was an easy match to make.

B次元官网网址淏rain injury can affect every aspect of someoneB次元官网网址檚 lifeB次元官网网址攁cademics, social life, employment. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why we offer such a wide range of services,B次元官网网址� said BrainTrust's executive director Amanda McFarlane. B次元官网网址淥ur work with Okanagan College is a natural extension of our commitment to helping people reclaim their lives after a brain injury.B次元官网网址�

The project is one of many applied research initiatives taking place at OC.