In this episode Erin and I talk to Shana De Caro, the Chairwoman of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). Shana talks about the important mission of the organization; the resources available to brain injury survivors and caregivers, including what to expect for adults and children, whether that's around the home, at work or at school. Shana also discusses the current challenges for advocacy, treatment, and the difficulty with diagnosis during COVID 19. Shana is the De Caro of De Caro a...
Mar 23, 2021•30 min•Ep. 83
Dr. David Ellemburg is a neuropsychologist researcher at University of Montreal. Dr. Ellemburg is focused on understanding the organization and functional plasticity of the human brain during its development, recovery from brain injury and the limits of this plasticity In this episode he discusses what research is currently working on in regards to TBI and concussions in sports.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick...
Mar 22, 2021•50 min
In this episode Erin and I talk to Ella Sofia, who is a Habit Coach and content creator at www.retrainyourbrain.ca. In January 2008, at age 14, Ella suffered a hemorrhagic stroke due to an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) rupture in her cerebellum. Ella now specializes in the mind's role in habit creation and its benefits for mental health and mental rehabilitation. What is a "habit", and why is it an important tool for rehabilitation? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk...
Mar 16, 2021•28 min•Ep. 82
Nick Mercer (that’s me!) is the creator and writer of Concussion Talk blog – since 2010 – and host and producer of Concussion Talk Podcast – since 2015.In August 2003, while in Victoria, B.C., doing his Master’s of Public Administration at UVic, he was severely brain injured while riding his bike. He was in a medically induced coma for two weeks, and in in-patient rehabilitation at home in St. John’s, NL for 6 months learning how to walk and talk. He also spent a lot of time with occupational th...
Mar 15, 2021•50 min
Bella Paige is the owner of Post Concussion Inc., a website to help brain injury survivors and their families. After sustaining over 10 concussions and experiencing post-concussion syndrome for nearly 9 years, she realized that she could help others. She is also partaking in her Masters of Applied Neuroscience, focusing on mental health, and can't wait to share what she learns. Though Bella still struggles with symptoms, she is now living happily with PCS and believes you can too!Concussion Chat...
Mar 08, 2021•31 min
On episode 81 Erin and I talk to Ethan O'Brien and Dr. Sasha Blaskovich. Although each have unique concussion stories, and followed different paths, the two came together to co-author, "Dr. B's Concussion Breakthrough" (a #1 Amazon Best Selling Book)! We discuss their stories, concussion symptoms, Dr. Blaskovich's practice and why they wrote a book together. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 02, 2021•37 min•Ep. 81
Dr. Brigitta is a Naturopathic Doctor and Primary Care Paramedic with a mission to help active individuals braving concussion recovery, mental illness, and memory loss reclaim and optimize their resilient brains, naturally. With over a decade of experience as a paramedic, Brigitta has witnessed firsthand the care and management of concussions in both the Prehospital and Emergency Department settings. As a Naturopathic Intern on the Sports Medicine focus shift, she had the opportunity to mentor w...
Mar 01, 2021•46 min
In this special episode, the 'Concussions and Mental Health Student Speaker Series' event that was held on February 18th, 2021, will be released as a podcast. This initiative was organized by the Concussion Legacy Foundation chapters at Laurier, the University of Toronto, and Ryerson, and includes student speakers who share their concussion stories, and the impact their concussions have had on their mental health and well being. The speakers include Nicole Bass, Theadora Verwey, Abdullah Rahimi,...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 22 min
On episode 80, Erin and I talk to Michael Kaplen of De Caro & Kaplen, a law firm in New York that specializes in brain injury. We talk to Michael about his legal background that lead him to a focus on brain injury, and what he has learned along the way, including his years as president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State. We also talk about the course, Michael Kaplen teaches at George Washington University Law School, about brain injury and the U.S. law. Support this show http:...
Feb 23, 2021•22 min•Ep. 80
Jordan is a Personal Trainer and a Chronic Illness Coach who has fully recovered from a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as Chronic Lyme Disease. Jordan uses his social media platforms to show what life can be like post-recovery and how to get there. Jordan believes in the power of the mind and swears by his consistent meditation practice.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is ded...
Feb 22, 2021•47 min
On the fifth episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, interviews Tate Paul. Tate grew up snowboarding and playing soccer, and has sustained multiple concussions. Tate also speaks to her experience playing soccer in Maine on an athletic scholarship, and how submaximal exercise has contributed to her concussion recovery.Be sure to check out University of Toronto's Concussion Legacy Foundation Chapter's website , Faceboo...
Feb 18, 2021•27 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Eryn and Mariah were good friends, then Mariah was brain injured, then Eryn was brain injured. Now they're good friends with a podcast! Inspired by their own, unique, but bonding experiences!Check out Mariah and Eryn on Making Headway Podcast! Subscribe and review! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 15, 2021•32 min•Ep. 79
…And seeing the positives.Laura Grabe has been playing basketball since she was 10. While playing basketball, she has suffered three concussions. While sometimes it has been tough, there is always a bright side.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing hope and strength to those suffering from concussions through sharing experiences. Join us to hear recording...
Feb 15, 2021•35 min
Curtis is a motivational speaker, who shares his stories and recovery journey of being an extremely severe traumatic brain injury survivor. On his Instagram, he consistently posts about different activities/challenges that he does to measure his recovery and to motivate others. His Instagram handle is @curtisanderson6Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing ...
Feb 08, 2021•35 min
In this important podcast, Dr. Angela Colantonio, Lin Haag, Karen Mason, Dr. Paul Van Donkelaar, Lauren Ziaks (Phoenix Concussion Recovery), ABI Reasearch Lab, and the SOAR Project, discuss the intimate partner violence (IPV) and the all-too-often ignored connection with traumatic brain injury (TBI)! Sophia Gutierez - episode 3 of BRANIAC podcast - was instrumental in putting this episode together, and she helps guide the discussion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-p...
Feb 02, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 78
Claudia is a human resources professional, diversity and inclusive advocate, longtime volunteer in the Montreal community, and a concussion survivor. In the process of returning to work she’s been faced with some challenges, but has also learned something about reasonable accommodations and disclosure of a medical condition. She hopes others can benefit from her experience, and while it is still an ongoing and learning experience for her as well, she’s also equally interested in the feedback and...
Jan 31, 2021•51 min
Wendy is a retired teacher who has been dealing with chronic pain for more than 30 years and persistent symptoms of concussion for the past 3.5 years. She will be sharing some of the information she has gathered, as well as coping strategies she uses to help her manage both conditions.We discuss goals, resting, and we get philosophical (more sociological actually).Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussi...
Jan 25, 2021•55 min
On the fourth episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, interviews Nick Eustace, a graduate of Western University who has extensive experience with concussions. Growing up playing competitive hockey, Nick sustained many concussions, but it was a few major concussions which ultimately led to the end of his hockey career. Years later, Nick is still suffering from concussion symptoms, but has made major strides in his per...
Jan 22, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Louis, currently enrolled at Carleton University, is a former Rugby player, and athlete, who retired prematurely due to numerous concussions. He now spends his time playing and listening to music, reading and working out.We discuss acceptance and self-blame after concussion.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing hope and strength to those suffering from co...
Jan 18, 2021•46 min
Dr. Hilary Duncan is a clinical psychologist with over 10 years of professional experience, including 8 years at Concordia University where she completed specialized training in neuropsychological assessment. Her training includes positions at the ADHD Clinic of the Royal Victoria Hospital, The Jewish General Hospital Memory Clinic, and the Johns Hopkins Hospital Neurorehabilitation Unit in Baltimore. She also works in her private practice in the Plateau.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by t...
Dec 21, 2020•47 min
On episode 77 Jill Wheatley, Mountains of my Mind, tells the story of how a baseball to her head in Germany has led her to Nepal. Jill's story is about hopes, dreams, and their fluidity. How they change, yet bring even greater joy! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 08, 2020•46 min•Ep. 77
Marc suffered a concussion almost 9 years ago playing basketball. He has been collecting ways of dealing with his symptoms ever since. He is an educator in a learning centre, a part-time professor and a proud father.A short description, but an excellent, inward looking talk. Marc understands that the brain injury journey is not so much about knowing, but about learning. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/concussion-talk-podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
Dec 07, 2020•49 min
David first became injured in August of 2006 following 2 mTBIs within 10-minutes. He also suffers from fibromyalgia and PTSD amoungst other injuries and damages. Learning to free himself form an unhelpful medical system was the best move he ever made and it kept him alive to this day. He works as an energy and reiki instructor and has found may listed ways to heal mind, brain, and spirit. He is now in his 2nd year of podcasting and video casting for post-concussion syndrome awareness worldwide, ...
Nov 30, 2020•45 min
On the third episode of BRAINIAC, Edina Bijvoet, president of the University of Toronto chapter of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, will interview Sophia Gutierrez, a University of Toronto Kinesiology student. Sophia has sustained 2 concussions, and shares her concussion story with listeners. Although Sophia has an extensive sport background, one of her concussions was actually sustained through an assault. Her recovery and her perspective is highly insightful!Be sure to check out University of...
Nov 26, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 3
On episode 76 of Concussion Talk Podcast, Erin and I talk to Curtis Anderson about concussion awareness and how being aware is so important in averting another brain injury. Curtis talks about his how his brain injury occurred in at a rodeo bull riding competition just weeks after he sustained a concussion also while bull riding. Curtis now speaks to groups about the importance of concussion awareness as he continues his own, active recovery! Follow him on Instagram @curtisanderson6 ! Support th...
Nov 24, 2020•26 min•Ep. 76
Cathy is a five-year survivor of traumatic brain injury that works as a key player for a variety of different types of companies. She is passionate about neuroscience and TBI recovery. She will be sharing her story of overcoming adversity through self-advocacy and about her recovery that has been centered around neuro-optometric rehabilitation.Cathy is the founder of https://www.makethegradetraining.com/about-us/ and her skills run the gamut from training large groups of teachers nationally to p...
Nov 23, 2020•57 min
On episode 75 Erin interviews me about being a Standardized Patient at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) Med School (St. John's, NL, Canada). I've been doing this since 2018, thanks to my GP Dr. Jessica Bishop. It's an excellent program where second year medical students are able to interact/"examine" people with interesting histories and conditions, hopefully preparing them better for real life situations when they inevitably arise as they begin practice. Support this show http://suppor...
Nov 17, 2020•32 min•Ep. 75
Refael Hileman grew up in Seattle and now lives in Silver Spring, MD. He studied many different areas in college, majoring in dance. His career has been in various IT and business capacities. He enjoys singing, cycling, reading, kettlebells, and ultimate frisbee when it's available.Concussion Chats is a podcast hosted by the McGill Students for the Concussion Legacy Foundation, with the help of Nick from Concussion Talk. This podcast is dedicated to providing hope and strength to those suffering...
Nov 16, 2020•46 min
On episode 74, Erin and I talk to Ryan Phillips as he delves into his love of hockey, concussions that derailed his burgeoning career as a pro hockey player, and his subsequent off-ice challenges. Ryan talks about his ongoing experience with PCS (post concussion syndrome), how he deals with it, and his focus on improvement; not only for himself, but for the lives of anyone dealing with mental illness or mental health issues.Ryan speaks internationally, and is on Instagram @ryanphillipswarrior an...
Nov 10, 2020•47 min•Ep. 74
*Trigger Warning*Suicide is discussed in this episodeMarion earned a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Wilmington, North Carolina. She has worked as a social worker since 1992 in the areas of housing security, mental health with adults, adolescents and couples as well as in the area of Suicide Awareness, prevention, intervention and postvention. She believes strongly in the...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min
