Londoners kicked off the Year of the Brain 2015 on Wednesday, in a celebration of all things related to the brain.
Joy Cameron, a brain injury survivor, says "Stigmas prevent us from talking about these issues. But when it comes right down to it, the reality is that my story isn't all that different from many of your friends, family members and co-workers."
The campaign, which includes 17 brain-related organizations, was launched at Parkwood Hospital.
The year-long series of activities is designed to bring awareness to the brain's impact on our health and well-being, and to improve support services for those affected.
Amy Matthias with the Brain Injury Association says, "We're hoping that with this year of advocacy and with getting so many organizations involved that we'll help promote the research that needs to be done.")
About one in three Canadians suffers from a brain condition, and it can bring high costs for families and caregivers, both financially and emotionally.
Brain conditions include neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, stroke, brain tumours, epilepsy and Parkinson’s and mental health issues like depression and addiction.
Cameron lives with clinical depression along with her brain injury.
"For me, it's not this hopeless, 'My life is over.' But it is, very much, the sense that my life has changed and it doesn't mean that it has to be bad, but it is decidedly different."
