Experiences from past participants of EBIRS programs:

….she met me one on one and has been very helpful with memory, difficulty in my ability in multi-tasking, and getting me back on things to do with my time and courses to take

….it made me achieve understanding and made me [have] self-confidence again. I am able to volunteer and take my place as father and husband again.”

….Classes were better than I could imagine, thank you for all your input and guidance.

….The price [for the computer] was right. I can now contact my family in Brazil.

….Wouldn’t have gotten along without it. EBIRS bent over backwards for me.

….I am really grateful for the help and support I received from everybody at EBIRS. I always felt supported and appreciated.

Survivor Stories

Ternjit Dhesi – Survivor Story

Background about my injury: shattered femur, broke humerus, had rods inserted, motor vehicle accident, now

have back issues, skull fracture (28 plates), and radial nerve damage.

What I like about EBIRS:

· Sincere staff who are helpful

· Life skill classes: help to refresh and relearn things, provide good explanation, learning from others

experiences, everyone works together, I might be able to help someone who is going through something I went

through

· The program gets a person back on track and teaches you how to deal with things

· Example: Being in public is difficult, people don’t understand and EBIRS teaches you how to deal with it

The things I have done at EBIRS includes:

· Life skills classes

· Applying for volunteer positions – Edmonton Humane Society and Police

· Developing memory strategies

· Being referred to places like Community Enrichment Program at Grant MacEwan College

In conclusion I would like to say that EBIRS has been very helpful in my recovery and I would recommend it to

all individuals with a brain injury.

Michael Maslyk – Survivor Story

I have been told that, “I am the same but different.” A quote from one of my group sessions which I feel is very appropriate. I had a Colloid Cyst (which I had never heard of). We are born with them. Most of us live our lives with these cysts never bothering us. Five years ago I had a drop attack on my daughters’ driveway. My Colloid Cyst started to grow and was blocking the flow of my spinal fluid. After the removal of the cyst, and approximately a month in the hospital, the assessment was: problems understanding and using language, multi-tasking, as well as short term memory problems. I had to accept my difficulty and get comfortable with who I am now. I am beginning to accept what happened to me through people at the Glenrose and EBIRS, my providers: physician, speech & language therapist, psychologists, occupational therapist, social workers, friends and family.

This is who I am, I have strong family ties with my wife, three children, and three grandchildren and my brother and sister-in-laws. I have realized that my recovery is relearning and accepting a new sense of who I am. I have to continue (as the same person) but accepting that I am now different. “I am the same, but different.” I am accepting the change in my life since the brain injury. I let people help me and I try to help others. I keep trying to learn about myself now, and I feel I am more aware of how I function each day.

My rehabilitation program started at the Glenrose Hospital and has carried on with EBIRS. Thank God for these facilities and the people working in each program. Programs in psychology, speech & language therapy, coping with depression, anger management, communication, memory group and self-esteem. For leisure I like reading books and newspapers. I like to meet friends for coffee or go for an outing. I also enjoy movies, going out to dinner and taking vacations. I enjoy recreational golfing as well as go to the gym for health club training.

My education activities are computer classes like Microsoft Word, e-mail, and internet through the Reconnecting program at EBIRS. I have also learned how to use a digital camera and work on my memory skills.

In the future my plans are to spend time with family and friends and continue to learn. I would like to take this opportunity to convey my thanks to my partner (wife Marilyn), and my family and friends. Also, a special thanks to the Glenrose and EBIRS for all their support and help. Without them and their excellent rehabilitation programs, my recovery may not be as successful.

We all have difficult times but day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year we strive to get better. So “I am still the same but different.”

-Michael Malsyk

Survivor, Brain Injury

It is scary to realize that you no longer know yourself. Who you were before, No longer exists. You have to grieve. You may have gone from an overachiever to someone who can do very little. Or you may have gone from someone who did very little, to wanting to do everything. Whether good or bad, you are a new you. You have changed. In the past, you may have needed only five or six hours of sleep each night. Now, you may need eight or nine hours of sleep each night. Now, your health may have changed. Whether good or bad you are a new you. Grieve if you must… Then face each day and try to find at least one good thing. For though it may be scary… believe that there is a reason to your life.

- V. Spreiter