Did you know?
- up to 52% of homeless people in Victoria have a brain injury
- 69% two thirds of these acquired their brain injury before they became homeless
- Brain injury is the number 1 killer and disabler of people under 45 years of age
- Men are twice as likely as women to experience an acquired brain injury
- Even a ‘minor’ concussion (seeing stars, disorientation, dizziness) indicates a level of brain injury
Prevention is the best cure – it is estimated that over 90% of brain injuries could have been prevented:
- wear a helmet when participating in at-risk sports (cycling, in-line skating, snowboarding, skiing, skateboarding, etc)
- wear a seat belt when driving
- ensure children are in size-appropriate restraints
- do not drink and drive
Know these common symptoms of brain injury:
- Loss of consciousness
- Continued headaches, and headaches that get worse
- Nausea and vomiting, particularly in adults
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Loss of memory of events surrounding injury
- Drowsiness or lack of responsiveness
- Blood or clear liquid from the ears, nose or mouth
- Unusually large pupils, or pupils of different sizes.
If you or someone you observe has symptoms like these following a fall or a blow to the head, check with your family doctor or take the person to an emergency medical centre, particularly if the symptoms worsen within the first 24 to 48 hours.
For more information about the role of Brain Injury awareness in the fight to end homelessness, please read “The Mind of Homelessness.”
Links
- The Brain from Top to Bottom (McGill University): http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/index_i.html
- Brainstreams – Online Resources and Community building: http://brainstreams.ca/
Publications
- Times Colonist Letter to the Editor
- The Mind of Homelessness
