B.C. Provincial Medical Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry often reminds residents that marginalized groups are at particular risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association Executive Director Carol Petkau spoke with CIVL about one group that may not initially come to mind.

In the first part of a two-part interview, the challenges encountered by people with brain injuries, and what the Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association is doing to assist them, are discussed. Petkau talks at length about the impact of moving all their services, including support groups, online.

To begin with, she talks about how learning new skills can present serious problems for individuals with brain injuries. This is further compounded by the new adjustments warranted due to the pandemic. As an example, she talks about teaching people with brain injuries about online banking, a process even technologically savvy people with normal brain function may find challenging. She examines the technology access problems and the learning difficulties these brain injury individuals face. She said that the Brain Injury Association has purchased tablets for their clients to address the technology access issue.

Additionally, Petkau spoke about the added stress brain injury individuals experience as a result of COVID-19 and what is being done to address this stress including the role professional counsellors are playing.

Here is Carol Petkau speaking with CIVL: