“More Than My Brain Injury”
June 1st marks the start of #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth and is a time for education, connection, and awareness. The “More Than My Brain Injury” theme provides a platform for educating the public about the prevalence of brain injury. It aims to de-stigmatize the injury, highlight the diversity of the brain injury community, and empower those who have survived.
Mind Forward Brain Injury Services has been serving individuals with acquired brain injury for 31 years and is committed to promoting provincial initiatives that bring awareness to the broader community. Throughout the month of June, we are proud to be hosting and participating in events across the regions of Peel, Halton and Dufferin. We invite you to join us, reach out, volunteer your time, or lend an ear to help mark this significant month.
You Should Know…
Follow us on Mind Forward’s Twitter and Facebook page for updates throughout the month including the following ABI events:
Green Ribbons/Bracelets will be distributed across the agency at the beginning of the month. Please wear your ribbon or bracelet to show your support for the ABI community!
- “More Than My Brain Injury” – Join us on Friday, June 2nd at 1:00pm for our Brain Injury Awareness Month kick-off event! The Day Services team will be hosting a virtual special event to begin a month of exciting events! Prizes will be drawn from a raffle. All clients and staff are invited to attend.
- Clock Tower Lighting – On Wednesday, June 7th at 7pm, we will be gathering at the Forrest Garden section of Celebration Square. Here, we will celebrate together as Mississauga’s Civic Centre Clock Tower will be lit up in green at dusk in honour of Brain Injury Awareness Month. Please wear green to show your support. Refreshments (non-alcoholic beverages and cookies) will be served and a variety of activities planned to keep everyone entertained.
- Brain Injury in Colour/“Anatomy of My Brain” – we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chanth Seyone, Consulting Neuropsychiatrist to Mind Forward, to present on the impacts of brain injury through colour and pictures. This interactive presentation will give participants the opportunity to have questions answered directly by the expert! Following the presentation, we will be sharing artistic projects completed during the Anatomy of My Brain exercise.
- ABI Awareness Educational Booths – Did you know that June is also Seniors Month in Ontario? On June 15th (Elder Abuse Awareness Day) the Seniors team will be setting up educational booths at Post Inn Village in Oakville from 9-11am and Extendicare Mississauga from 1-3pm. On June 9th we will also be setting up an informational display at YMCA Oakville. Come by to show your support!
- “Walk A Mile in My Shoes” – Join us on June 12th and 13th in Central West and on June 16th at Head Office and all Assisted Living sites to partake in this meaningful project that will encourage participants to open up with an expressive art experience. Individuals will receive a blank white canvas shoe (structure or template) – otherwise known as “story shoes”. The shoe is metaphorical for the unique, personal journeys that each survivor has endured (the good, the bad, the happy and the sad). Every distinct shoe will be personal map of each person’s journey and will be shared on display at the Agency’s art exhibit at the end of the month. **Registration is required for June 16th event – please speak to your Case Manager to learn how to join.
- Central West Dominoes Tournament – Please join us for some friendly competition, light refreshments and prizes on June 20th at our new Central West space in Brampton, Nance Horwood Place (2520 Main Street North). Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional at Dominoes, you are welcome to join the competition. **A registration fee of $2.00 can be paid on the day.
- Inter-Agency Special Event – join us on June 23rd from 1-3pm as we join forces with several ABI agencies across Ontario for a virtual celebration. This 2-hour event will feature presentations from every corner of the province including our very own clients.
- Expressive Art Gallery and Scavenger Hunt – on June 30th between 10-4 we will be hosting an art gallery and scavenger hunt at head office (176 Robert Speck Parkway) featuring the works of our clients from the Water Colouring Club, Figure Art, the “Walk A Mile in My Shoes” initiative and other Day Services groups. Prizes will be available to winners of the scavenger hunt.
- Read All About It! – a number of local newspapers will be supporting the ABI community and helping to spread awareness throughout the month. Keep your eyes open for articles featuring some of our very own clients in the Orangeville Citizen, InsideHalton, the Toronto Star and more.
But That’s Not All…
We will continue to participate in and host events throughout the year to raise awareness for the ABI community. Join us in July (date to follow) for the annual Central West Picnic at Heart Lake Conservation Area and on Friday, August 25th Mississauga/Halton Picnic at Mississauga Valley Park.