Brain-injured need more support

Re: "Brain-injured face stigma," and "Minor injury, major change; Emergency-room doctor with brain damage has rebuilt his life," The Journal, May 24.

Thank you for the sensitive and insightful articles about brain injury which appeared in the May 24 edition of The Journal. I hope they will lead to better public understanding of the life-changing effects such injury can have, even when it is not immediately obvious that the person is disabled.

I also hope they will lead to more public support for proper assessment and support services for those experiencing a brain injury.

I have met dozens of such individuals during the past 14 years in my work at the Peace River Regional Women's Shelter.

Unfortunately, in the Peace Country, most struggle alone with no support services.

The only support program available in my area has funding to provide just 36 hours of service a week for the entire North Peace, from the Peace River near Dunvegan to the Northwest Territories border. That includes travel time for the workers, who try to see each client at least once every two months.

Neuropsychological tests are not available anywhere in the Peace Country, and even psychological tests are hard to come by. The local Alberta Health Services mental health clinic does not do psychological testing for purposes of determining eligibility for financial support.

The result is that many people who might otherwise qualify for the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) do not. If they are unemployable, they are left to struggle on $687 a month, which is the welfare rate for single adults not expected to work. The AISH rate is $1,188 a month.

Our shelter has helped many individuals with brain injury qualify for AISH, but this is a very complex and time-consuming process. In two cases, a local psychologist volunteered his time to do assessments. In another case, a First Nation put up the funding so we could escort a woman to Edmonton for a neuropsychological exam (it also paid for the exam, which was well worth the money).

We all benefit when there is a place for everyone in our society, regardless of ability or disability. We need to make it a priority to create such a society in this province.

Brenda Brochu, executive director, Peace River Regional Women's Shelter