So it’s happened…and it’s happened to you …or someone in your family. A serious car crash or loss, or diagnosis has changed the trajectory of life as you know it right now. Aside from injuries sustained, you are riddled with emotions…maybe misplaced (or well-placed) anger, sadness, longing and anxiety. There seems to be a mountain of information and instructions that leave you overwhelmed and not knowing where to begin.
When it comes to injury or loss, it is often said that the road to healing or rehabilitation is paved with good supports. It is often recommended as we navigate the challenges of rehabilitation or healing, that we ask ourselves this question:
“Who is on MY team?”
It is so very important to have a team of people who are supportive, compassionate and who only want what’s best for you and your journey. That team could consist of family members, like your children, your parents, your siblings. Your team could consist of a good friend-even one. Your team could have an involved neighbour, mentor, pastor or lawyer.
But the one key to any “Who is on my Team” list, is a dedicated and compassionate medical rehabilitation team. A professional team of field experts that can assist in getting the very treatment you will need, to help you move forward with your life in a way that is meaningful to you.
Thirty-five years ago, Neuro-Rehab Services, (NRS), a multidisciplinary medical rehabilitation firm, was founded in the Greater Toronto area. Its goal from the outset, was to provide a full range of medical rehabilitation and assessment offerings, to adults and children with brain, spinal cord and other neurological disorders and serious conditions. Due to the multicultural nature of the Toronto area, NRS realized that the best way to reach the most people, was to provide culturally sensitive programming.
Medical rehabilitation firm Brainworks’ goal, under the leadership of founder, Arden McGregor, has always been to ensure each person has access to quality healthcare, not just those residing in bigger cities. Given its success in southwestern Ontario since 2003, it was surprising to some that in 2008 Brainworks branched out to the northern communities, opening an office in Huntsville Ontario. By 2018, Brainworks had moved all its operations north, including a second office in North Bay, answering the need for both evidence-based brain injury and mental health services in that region. Brainworks continues to evaluate the need for these services and has outstretched its reach to the most northern parts of the province, in unserviced and underserviced areas.
Two companies, with the same goal of reaching as many as possible with their services. NRS, by way of multi-lingual programs and services, meeting the needs of a multicultural service area. And Brainworks, territorially and intentionally broadening service horizons to provide services exactly where most people won’t go, the most remote northern areas of the province.
So it only makes sense that these two powerhouse, award-winning companies combine efforts: Smarter Together. These two teams are now working together side by side to ensure that those suffering with the effects of acquired brain injury, or other serious injury, loss or disease have the best possible supports in place, despite culture, language or location. These companies together, provide all manner of medical rehabilitation both in person and virtually: Psychological, social work, occupational therapy, rehab therapy and much more. Individually and now together, both NRS and Brainworks are on the “Who is on my team” list of countless clients all over Ontario, and beyond.
Create a Visual List
No matter where you are on your rehabilitation journey, pull out your journal, a vision board or your phone or laptop and caption the top of the page: “Who is on MY team”. List the friends, the family, the supports, the resources that you KNOW you will be able to count on. Seeing a visual list can be encouraging and motivating in a time when you need strength the most. You are not alone. Together, along with the other members of your team, you can and will achieve your goals.
For more information on Brainworks please visit their website at: brainworksrehab.com.
This article is also featured in our 2022 Summer Issue of Sharing our Recovery
The Crash Support Network is a unique website consisting of an online support group, a Crash Survivor Blog written by a survivor, our Sharing Our Recovery Newsletter, informative articles and a Virtual Crash Memorial. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
