Work

My insurance adjuster wondered because of my vestibular symptoms, about whether I could take VIA rail to and from work instead. The thought of how to buy a ticket, where to buy a ticket, getting on and off at the right stop (having recently gotten lost in my own neighbourhood on a walk), and how to manage symptoms getting worse on the commute were overwhelming. This was just getting to work, not even discussing actually working.

86% of those with Brain Injury cannot return to work following their injury (OBIA P.35 caregiver issue)

 

Think about these work-related options:

• Look at vocational rehabilitation or work hardening activities through your Occupational Therapist

• Meet with your personal Injury lawyer to discuss the process of deciding whether you can go back to work or not

• Keep track of symptoms (what makes them worse, when are you most tired)

• Be sure you are able to do all of your activities of daily living (shopping, personal care, cleaning, etc...) and your stamina is good when doing these over multiple days before you even considering going back to work

• Journal all communications related to return to work (In case you need to report them to your doctor or lawyer).

• All work related insurance plans are different so familiarize yourself with yours. If you are lucky you will have a short term disability plan. Mine changed to LTD after 3 months. At the 2 -year post injury mark I was  assessed as to whether I could do ANY job. I wasn't able, so my LTD continues. If iat the 2 year mark t looks like you will be able to return to work, the process will start for that. You can be denied LTD even if you are unable to return to work. Contact a lawyer in this case.

• If you are not able to work and have no LTD, you can apply for UI, Ontario Works or Ontario Disability SP. RDSP may be an option for you (your disabilities must qualify the same as for the disability tax credit).

• Find out if you qualify for the disability tax credit

• You can also apply for CPP disability although it is hard to get as I know so many who have applied and have been denied. This is something to still apply for and certainly your lawyer can help you.  You can keep applying if you are denied at the beginning. For more information, please see: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-disability-benefit/apply.html

• If you have a pension and are not working, you can apply for a disability waiver so that you don’t have to keep paying into the pension program (but it still accrues).

• If your injury happened at work, you will be dealing with WSIB and should consult a personal Injury lawyer that specializes in WSIB about that process.

• Work closely with your doctor/OT concerning medical restrictions on hours of work, workload prioritize tasks, timelines, and even location of work (at home, or specially designated office). Allow extra time for completion of tasks, and when necessary, negotiate for additional time. 

• Familiarize yourself with your employer's policies on rehabilitation, re-employment and assistance for job re-entry as federal law requires that disabled workers be given reasonable accommodations concerning re-employment.

• Educate your employer concerning the types of accommodations you need to help make your return to work efficient, and productive for all parties. 

• Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers. Discuss the types of support and assistance that they can offer to assist you in your return to work 

• Help your union promote a "Return-to-Work" policy for injured workers. This can make a difference not only for yourself and your co-workers, but for future generations.

• Work together and adhere to Occupational Health and Safety practices.

 

Examples of job accommodations:

Reduced distractions, private work area, white noise, music, natural lighting, reduced clutter, no interruptions, tasks that can be divided into smaller steps, lists of essential functions only, additional training time, adjustable orthopedic chair/desk.

Try these:

Make to-do lists, use several calendars and timers, reminders, a watch, electronic organizers, a work mentor, and ask for weekly meetings to review what you have done

Use flow charts, whiteboards, tape meetings, written minutes, notebooks, checklists, sticky notes with instructions

Parking close to job site, using an accessibility entrance, automatic door openers, accessible restrooms.

 

Additional Information

https://www.braininjurycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Brain-Injury-Canada-RTW-Guidebook.pdf

https://www.brainline.org/article/tbi-research-review-return-work-after-traumatic-brain-injury

 

School 

As a person with a brain injury, you may need to advocate for yourself in the post secondary environment as brain injury is difficult to understand as it is so global in nature. 

 

Try These:

• Think (in advance) of what accommodations you might need at school. Tell the school that you might not know what accommodations you will need until the year starts.

• You will have to prove that you have a disability and provide reports to the accessibility office from assessments you have had, and the school will keep those on file. This can be tedious, but is a necessary part of the system

• Help your instructors know what your capacity limits are so they can adjust their expectations

• Work with your doctor and other treatment providers such as an OT or SLP to help you return to school and determine if it is something you can do.

 

Additional Information

https://concussionfoundation.org/concussion-resources/return-to-learn?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjYjWy6mb6wIV1uzjBx0dXw8BEAAYASAAEgLmPPD_BwE

 

Play/Exercise

I used to compete in triathlons but after my accident I found I was only able to walk to my mailbox and back. Then I was able to walk around my block. Then I was able to walk further. Then I was able to ride a stationary bike which is where I have stayed still at 6 years after my injury.

Your exercise tolerance may have changed since your injury. You might get headaches or head pressure, dizziness or fatigue after exercise now so slowly building tolerance to exercise back up again is very important. 

Please read the formulas below but check with you physician before beginning any exercise programs.

This is the standard formula to determine heart rate min and max, and tolerance (I’m using 60 as my age and 68 as my resting heart rate). See this for more info: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/heartrate.htm#:~:text=You%20can%20estimate%20your%20maximum,beats%20per%20minute%20(bpm).

220-age (60) = (160)

160-resting heart rate= 160-68=100

80% of 100 is 80

80+ resting heart rate 68=148

Your goal should then be 20 mins at 148 bpm without any symptoms several times per week. This has taken me years and is still ongoing.

• Follow your sports’ return to play protocols

• KEEP MOVING- walk as far and as often as you can

• Do something you really enjoy, and enjoy what you can

• Document your issues with physical tolerance (use an exercise journal)

• Request appropriate accommodations according to your abilities

• Make sure your coaches understand your capacity limitations so they can adjust their expectations

 

Additional Information

​http://braininjurycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Concussion-Current-guidelinesDrover2011Conf.pdf