Calgary brain injury survivor helps raise awareness
Posted Jan 25, 2015 10:18 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Calgary woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an ATV crash is helping others experiencing the same challenge.
Back in 2001, Denise Pelletier was rushed to hospital in critical condition and given less than a five percent chance of living an independent life, if she survived.
After making an incredible recovery, she now volunteers with brain injury survivors doing what she can to get the message out, not only about rehabilitation, but about the use of helmets.
“A lot of people, unfortunately, don’t realize the extent and the impact a brain injury can have until they’ve actually had one themselves or somebody that they love has gone through it and they’ve watched them go through it. I deal with a lot of patients (in Unit 58) and the number one reason as to why they ended up in that unit is due to falls, a lot of them having to do with cycling,” said Pelletier.
Pelletier shares her experience through speaking engagements to brain injury patients, caregivers and medical professionals at the brain injury rehabilitation unit (Unit 58) at the Foothills Hospital.
She established her website to help others dealing with traumatic brain injury and to advocate for the use of helmets.
