Journal

Something big is starting this month, and what it’s about has the power to reshape how our entire country views helmet safety.

At a press conference to be held at Vista Centre Brain Injury Services, we’ll officially launch the development of “I am BrainSTRONG,” which will be a groundbreaking new campaign that’s not about enforcing helmet use—it’s about transforming it into a choice everyone will proudly make. This isn’t a typical safety campaign. This is the beginning of a paradigm shift.

It will probably be like when the NHL made helmets mandatory back in 1979, where there was resistance. Players thought it wasn’t necessary, and some thought it made them “look weak.” But over time, something incredible happened—it became the norm. Today not a single player would imagine stepping on the ice today without one. That’s the culture change we’re after with biking.

They’re fast, fun, and environmentally friendly. E-scooters have surged in popularity in cities around the world, offering a convenient way to get around without a car. But while they might feel like the future of urban mobility, they also bring with them a serious—and often underestimated—risk: head injuries.

In fact, emergency rooms are seeing more and more cases of riders arriving with concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. The trouble is, many people underestimate how dangerous a fall from an e-scooter can be. At 20 to 30 km/h, a crash or sudden stop can easily send a rider head-first onto pavement. Without protection, the brain is left vulnerable to life-altering injuries.

When you look at me, the fact that I’m disabled is immediately seen. I use a walker, I go for coffee using a mobility scooter, and using those associate with being “disabled.” And yes, that part of my injury is real. It’s part of who I am now. But, the physical aspect of my injury isn’t the most significant element of what happened to me, nor why I was declared “catastrophic” and medically retired from my awesome job. What I’m sharing about today is the invisible-injury that I’d sustained, which was the Acquired Brain Injury.

In many ways, being visibly disabled has actually been an unexpected gift. People more often than not give me the benefit of the doubt. They assume I might need help, and they’re often kind. But I’ve met many people with invisible brain injuries who don’t get that understanding. They might say something slightly off, forget something important, or respond emotionally — and instead of being seen as someone with an injury, they’re judged as rude, unreliable, or even unstable.

That’s why I want to use my visible disability as a bridge — to open a conversation about the invisible parts of brain injuries that are just as real, just as disabling, and often more socially isolating.

I’ve been using the phrase better than awesome a lot lately — and for good reason. The Trivia Night held on January 30 wasn’t just awesome. It was better than awesome in ways that matter deeply to me.

First, it was sold out.

Let that sink in for a moment. Every seat filled. Every table buzzing. Every question answered with laughter, friendly trash talk, and that unmistakable energy that comes from people choosing to show up. For me, the sold-out sign meant more than a full room — it was confirmation. Confirmation that people do want to help. That they care. That this mission resonates.

A new year always brings that spark of possibility — the feeling that maybe this is the year something meaningful shifts. Some people focus on changing habits or chasing goals. For me, what I’m going to establish as my goal for this year is about changing perspectives — especially around something as simple, and as powerful, as what we put on our heads before getting on a bike.

Before you think I’m going to talk about posting safety reminders, it’s more than that. It’s not about guilt or obligation. It’s about identity. And it’s about a shift in how we think about strength — the kind that isn’t about how fast you pedal or how far you go, but about how you protect what matters most.

The choice to wear a helmet isn’t about waiting until it’s too late. It isn’t a decision you look back on with “hindsight is 20/20” because damage to your body can’t be undone. It’s a choice you make now, a proactive step that reflects self-awareness, responsibility, and the kind of strength that often goes unseen. That’s the kind of thinking I hope to help grow this year.

The holidays are here — a time to celebrate, reflect, and look forward with hope. For me, and for everyone involved with BrainSTRONG, it’s about more than decorations, gifts, and festive cheer. It’s about celebrating strength, resilience, and determination — even when it’s invisible.

Most people living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) face challenges that aren’t obvious. Their victories and perseverance often go unseen. That’s why BrainSTRONG exists: to shine a light on the invisible, raise awareness, and foster understanding. It’s about turning empathy into action and showing the world that resilience matters.