Anna Jurak of Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex (and PP of Rotary Windsor-St Clair and Windsor-Roseland Rotary Club) began her talk by showing a video about the Unmasking Brain Injury project: An international movement that, through the coordination of the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA), Ontario became the first province in Canada to participate. "The goal is to provide brain injury survivors the opportunity to create their own mask and tell their own story". Anna thanked our Club for our contribution; Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) funded the Windsor chapter of this project. The masks and their corresponding stories (of how they got the injury and how it affects them) can be viewed as part of an exhibit in the lobby of Hotel Dieu. For more information about this project, visit http://www.biawe.com/unmasking-brain-injury-june-7/

Anna went on to explain about the brain - it's "the most important part of our bodies!" She described the free helmets program the Brain Injury Association puts on every year, important because "helmets reduce brain injuries by 88%". Brain injuries are known as a "non-visible disability", and an astounding stat was presented: More than 18,000 Ontarians will suffer a brain injury this year alone. She addressed the topic of concussions, and explained that the most important issue is that kids need to tell their teachers, councillors, parents or coaches. Often, they hit their heads but "shake it off" and keep playing, which could be very dangerous. After a concussion, it's very important to give your brain an opportunity to rest. "It's not about being tough anymore" - if the brain doesn't have time to heal, symptoms may last for months or even years.

Click here for more pictures of this meeting (courtesy of Gordon Drake)