Concussion Clinic launch

Photo: Contributed

Local non-profit organization, BrainTrust Canada, is launching a social enterprise providing concussion recovery for children and youth ages 5 to 25 who have been diagnosed with a concussion. The BrainTrust Concussion Clinic grew out of a need to serve the growing number of children and youth who sustain concussions and are diagnosed in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and walk-in clinics, but receive no follow-up monitoring or direction. The clinic offers a safe and affordable, medically supervised approach to helping children and youth heal from concussion, so they can get back to regular life as quickly and safely as possible. 
 
BrainTrust Concussion Clinic physician, Dr. David Rhine, has over 35 years of experience in concussion management. “Whether at home, school or in sport, we are more aware than ever that concussions have a huge impact on our children’s health,” he says.  “A concussion can result in long-term problems if not treated properly. BrainTrust Concussion Clinic fills that gap by walking young people and their families through the process of recovering from concussion from the day of injury to 30 days post-concussion.” The clinic provides immediate assessment, personalized recovery plans, and daily guidance until the child/youth is cleared by the physician to go back to school, sports, and other activities.
 
“Healing from concussion begins immediately, so it’s important to provide early intervention and guidance right from the start.” says Mona Hennenfent, BrainTrust CEO.   “BrainTrust offers a Safe Start program at a reasonable price point to ensure that all children and youth can afford to receive assessment and specific strategies for their recovery.” 
 
Ontario recently became the first province in Canada to pass concussion safety legislation following the death of Rowan Stringer, a 17-year-old athlete who sustained a concussion during a high school rugby game; it was her second concussion within a week.  Rowan’s Law was passed on March 7, 2018 and draws attention to the reality that concussion is an injury to the brain, and must be taken seriously.
 
Olympic gold medallist, Kelsey Serwa, knows firsthand the experience of concussion, so deciding to act as BrainTrust Canada’s spokesperson is a choice she’s pleased to make.  “Our brain is our most important asset,” says Kelsey.  “When a child or youth has a concussion, we want to provide them with a safe, effective way to return back to normal life.
 
BrainTrust Canada is an Okanagan-based, non-profit organization with a mission to bring the issue of brain injury to the forefront, maximize the potential of those who have been affected by brain injury, and reduce preventable brain injury, especially among youth.  BrainTrust Concussion Clinic is a social enterprise whose profits will go back into funding BrainTrust’s brain injury prevention, education, and support programs and services.  For information go to www.braintrustcanada.com/concussion-clinic or call (250) 762-3233 ext. 112.