June marks the official start of summer, but it’s also about raising awareness for something that affects approximately 160,000 Canadians each year. We’re talking about Brain Injury Awareness month.
Brain injuries are the worldwide leader in deaths and disabilities for people under the age of 44. That makes them more prevalent than Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, HIV/AIDS, and breast cancer combined. Knowing more about the very real danger of brain injuries is important to being a bit safer when biking, driving, swimming and doing all those fun recreational activities we all do each year. Unfortunately, acquired brain injuries (ABI) aren’t looked upon by the public as much as it should be.
What you need to know about Acquired Brain Injury
The World Health Organization defines an “Acquired Brain Injury” as an injury to the brain that isn’t hereditary, congenital or degenerative, meaning it’s not genetic, you’re not born with it, and they don’t deteriorate your brain progressively. A blow to the head, seizures, whiplash, tumours, diseases, and many other sources can cause an ABI. However, falls and motor accidents cause about 50% of ABIs in Canada.
Safety first, the right support second
Whether you primarily travel by car, on foot, or with a bicycle, you should always put safety first. When being safe isn’t enough, and you ever find yourself in a situation where you’ve been injured, our skilled team at MG Law can help.
In the event of an injury, you should see a medical professional right away. Brain injuries can sometimes be easy to miss, as even a concussion can lead to serious risks in the future. Let’s keep the dialogue on brain injuries going for the month of June by sharing this information with others!
