After my mom passed away I decided to look into my own health issues pursuing difficulties I'd had with headaches and other symptoms for years. I was diagnosed with an aneurysm and put on a waiting list for surgery. Almost a year later I had my operation. At first I thought I felt fine. I had some difficulties like bleeding and about three weeks later I am thought to of had a mini stroke after which I started noticing issues with my memory and began stuttering.

Since then my headaches continue and my vision continues to change. I have sensitivity to noise and light and pain on my right side. I sought out some services including speech and language therapy as well as counseling. Private services are costly and applying for funding is difficult. Along with help from the Catholic counselling services and the March of Dimes I was encouraged to contact BIAPH and join their support group meetings. I have been attending since 2017 finding ways to get to the meetings due to transportation limitations.

A friend or my stepmother helps me get to the meetings and often stay finding them informative and good at lending perspective to what I am experiencing. I am a bit shy so sometimes I sit back and wait for the group to get going before I speak up. I have really enjoyed people sharing their stories and hearing the speakers present. There have been some very informative speakers. Just listening to others helps me not feel alone and connected to others, you feel like somebody else understands what you're going through. Seeing happy faces makes me feel better, you know laughing despite pain it gives you a different outlook. Although I feel meeting in person provides a personable interaction, I've been able to adapt to online meetings as they continue to provide connection to others in similar circumstances. For those thinking about attending a group I would say come with an open mind and expect to receive something good. It doesn't matter where the group is, there's always something good.

Just a quick note to say thank you for the work you do. I really value the time you've taken each time to find me the right mentor. I am once again absolutely loving my calls with my current mentor and they are a highlight of my week where I know I can speak with someone who understands what I'm coping with. These are wonderful people who are mentors and I truly value their volunteered time to help people like me as we join the same path. I look forward to giving back as a mentor myself at some point.

In case you don't hear it often enough, thank you! 

Hello fellow survivors! I am 3 1/2 years post TBI sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Having a local support group (BIAPH), helped me a lot during my recovery. It has been great to meet other survivors that can relate to you and understand you and your situation.

I made a whole new group of friends. I had wonderful experiences finally connecting with other survivors. The local support groups helped me share some of my challenges and learn from others. The Headspin group is more of a social group and we do more activities like cooking, movies, pool and bowling. During these COVID times HeadSpin switched very quickly to online activities to keep us all connected. I highly recommend that survivors find a local support group to get back at it!

The caregiver relief program allows my husband an opportunity to be out of the home safely. I truly appreciate Patrick coming twice a week. A wonderful friendship has developed due to the consistency for at least 7 years.

We go, depending on the weather for a nice walk, we're doing groceries and we're going for a cup of coffee. I usually leave it up to him and he really seems to enjoy it.