Statement made on 22 June 2011 by Senator Robert Peterson
Hon. Robert W. Peterson:
Honourable senators, it gives me great pleasure to present this message from the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Patron of the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association and former Clerk of the Senate.
The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Canada designate June as the National Brain Injury Awareness Month. The importance of this initiative is to highlight awareness across Canada of the effects and causes of acquired brain injury.
In Canada, acquired brain injury is the number one killer and disabler of people under the age of 44. More than 56,000 Canadians — 2,200 in Saskatchewan — experience traumatic brain injury each year.
The traumatic effects of brain injury can disrupt one's daily life in a dramatic way through subtle yet significant changes to personality, abilities and mobility. The social, emotional and economic consequences of brain injury are devastating not only to the survivors but also to their family members; everyone is affected when a loved one experiences a brain injury.
Honourable senators, by designating June as the official awareness month, the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association hopes to promote the prevention of brain injuries with information and educational programs. Through National Brain Injury Awareness Month, we hope to encourage people to play safely, drive defensively and choose wisely.
The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association encourages all members of the Senate to support brain injury associations throughout Canada. With your help, we can curb this epidemic.