Gerry had a career as a maintenance and repair technician before his brain injury. He was a natural leader who was able to interpret blueprints, perform all aspects of maintenance and yard care, and had a successful business of his own.

After his brain injury in 2015, he found that self-employment was very difficult. Symptoms like fatigue and memory issues were taking over his abilities. Today, with the support of the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain injury Society (SOSBIS), Gerry is learning how to cope with the fatigue which once reduced processing time, and caused troubles with problem solving, storing, and retrieving information.

He is learning how important it is to listen to his body if he’s really tired in the afternoon. Allowing himself more time to rest and recover each time the fatigue becomes overwhelming has helped him so much. He now knows that planning and pacing himself are key components in preventing fatigue from happening.

We asked Gerry to talk a bit about himself, and the Vocation Employment Program that the Brain Injury Alliance funds. How does your brain injury affect your health?

In the last year and a half I have had several epileptic seizures that resulted in a brain injury with symptoms including memory loss and fatigue.

How did the brain injury change your life?

It changed every aspect of my life. I had my own business as a maintenance worker, fixing all kind of things in and around people’s houses. Since my brain injury, I have memory problems; remembering things and executing tasks takes me much longer. Before I was able to do most things automatically, but now I have to think about each step that needs done. It has really affected my self-confidence.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the brain injury employment program you’re involved in?

My case manager told me about the employment program as an opportunity to get back into the work process. I was very excited about it, and I recently started painting some suites. In one way it feels like starting all over again, but when I’m painting, I experience that I’m still able to do the work. And, because there is no pressure or stress, I have time to bring back my skills and qualities.

How does the program benefit you?

Despite my brain injury, I still want to be the same person as I was before, and being able to work again helps me to draw back that old Gerry. With the help of SOSBIS my mood has improved, I’m building up my self-worth, and I’m gaining confidence that one day I will have my own maintenance business again. I sincerely thank SOSBIS, the Alliance, and the government for making this program available.

Guy had a Stroke in early 2016 and has been involved with the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society for several years now.  He lives with his sons in subsidized family housing operated by the Society.  He is doing an amazing job as a single parent since his ex-partner left the family shortly after his stroke.

Guy experiences physical limitations due to muscle weakness and limited movements in some parts of his body.  He is still living with symptoms including memory problems and retention of new information.

SOSBIS Case Management has helped him to get all of his personal documents organized in a binder.  He says this has helped him in so many ways.  This organization has allowed him to be prepared to deal with all of his child custody matters, his medical information, his income information and applying for any new programs for his children.

He has participated in many of the group programs offered by SOSBIS.   These programs helped him to gain some new peer friendships and built his confidence up to make day to day tasks more successful.

Guy says that he knows most people think of Stroke survivors as older people.  His story shows that stroke is happening to people of any age.  He is making a great recovery.  He is able to maintain a very organized home, which helps him cope with the challenges of raising children as a single father.  His routine helps him feel that life is in control.