The Concussion Podcast Amy Tom

Keeping yourself financially afloat while recovering from post-concussion symptoms can be challenging. Many people who experience concussions — myself included — need to take time off from full-time work in order to heal. Others don't have the luxury to take time away.

No matter your circumstance, know that you're not alone and there are ways to manage the logistical pain that you might be experiencing with your concussion. In this episode of The Concussion Podcast, Amy Tom talks about how to continue working and earning a living while dealing with a concussion.
The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/

Concussions and brain injuries can be isolating and can make people feel alone. People experiencing post-concussion syndrome can feel like no one understands their thoughts or feelings. However, when you remember that you're not alone, hope prevails. That's why support groups are so important in recovery — they provide a safe space to share and receive success stories, learn about treatment options, and gain knowledge of potential symptoms and side effects. 

In this episode of The Concussion Podcast, I talk to Diane Smooke from Heads Up For Hope about:
How does resource availability affect concussions and brain injuries?What resources are available to people in remote areas or with low-income levels?How can friends and family support those living with brain injuries?To learn more about Heads Up For Hope, visit their website: headsupforhope.org
The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/

I hear you, persistent headaches and unexpected migraines are amongst the worst parts of experiencing a concussion. To help us better understand what happens to our bodies when we experience headaches, Amy Tom asks Dr. Grace Ni — a Naturopathic Physician — about how to deal with headaches. 

In this episode of The Concussion Podcast, you'll learn about:
The differences between headaches and migrainesWhat happens when you take medication to manage your mainThe underlying factors that contribute to headaches

Dr. Ni is a licensed Naturopathic Physician practicing in Coquitlam, British Columbia. She believes modern healthcare necessitates a blend of conventional medicine with evidence-based naturopathic medicine and she is committed to providing compassionate, attentive care. Dr. Ni encourages patients to take an active role in their health, and she is a strong believer in the body’s capacity to heal and adapt. Find more from Dr. Ni at drgraceni.com.
The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/

At 28, Dan MacQueen was leading a healthy, active life. After an optometrist appointment to identify the cause of his persistent headaches was cut short, he was handed a sealed envelope and told to go directly to the hospital. What followed, was emergency brain surgery. On June 21, 2014, Dan's reality was shattered by a devastating brain hemorrhage. With no map to guide him on the gruelling path to recovery, Dan had to rely on his grit, perseverance, and resilience to relearn everything he once knew: how to walk, talk and even smile. Dan has survived two emergency brain surgeries, weeks in a coma, and months in a rehab hospital. Driven by a positive mindset, Dan battled through excruciating rehab exercises to rebuild his life and return to a job he loved.

In this episode of The Concussion Podcast, Amy talks to Dan about how he persevered through his physical trauma, how he changed his mindset, and how he used that resilience to recover.
The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/

After I sustained my concussion, I had a lot of physical symptoms that came on gradually. I wasn't able to pinpoint what was happening and why, which made recovery difficult. Now, I know physical symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nauseous, exhaustion, noise and light sensitivity, balance issues, insomnia, vision issues, and more. In this episode of The Concussion Podcast, I wanted to learn more about what happens to the body when someone sustains a concussion.

Nick Li is a physiotherapist based in Toronto, Canada. He works with patients to provide neurological and complex orthopedic rehabilitation. He also hosts a series called "The Neuro Network”: a mini-series that shares best practices and knowledge on managing neurological conditions.

Connect with Nick Li on Instagram: @itsphysionick

Recommended resources:
Sunnybrook's Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Handbook (https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=bsp-brain-injury-education)Ontario Brain Injury Association (https://obia.ca/)Ontario Holland Bloorview — Kids rehabilitation hospital (https://hollandbloorview.ca/)The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/

After my accident, I had a lot of questions about what was happening to my body. I started to feel new emotions and things I had never experienced before, and I was confused about what was happening and why. So, in this episode, I ask Dr. Molly Cairncross — what is a concussion and what are the psychological effects of concussion?

Dr. Molly Cairncross is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University, an Associate Member of the Rehabilitation Research Program at Vancouver Coastal health Research Instate, and Affiliate Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Dr. Cairncross earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology at the University of Windsor in 2019. In 2019-2021, she was a postdoctoral research fellow at UBC studying prognosis and treatment in concussion across the lifespan. 

She is now the director of the CORTECH Lab at SFU, where her team studies risk and resilience factors associated with outcomes from concussion. She uses both quantitative, qualitative, and patient-oriented research methods to develop accessible tech-based interventions for concussion.
You can find Dr. Cairncross' work on Twitter @DrCairncross or on the Cairncross CORTECH Lab website at www.cairncrosslab.com.
 
The Concussion Podcast aims to raise $15,000 with all funds going to Brain Injury Canada for the development of online concussion resources to provide education and support, as well as raise awareness about the prevalence and challenges of living with concussion. Donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/brain-injury-canada/campaign/the-concussion-podcast-fundraising-page/