BIST holds a workshop for caregivers / family members / spouses / loved ones / kin of people living with the effects of brain injury approximately once a year.

You can watch our 2022 Webinar below:

Melisa Vigar; Executive Director, BIST

Welcome and Introductions

Roxanne (Roxy) Riess,  Member with Lived Experience

Topic: What Does it Mean to be a Caregiver?

Roxy is a BIST member and Caregiver. Her talk will address the word caregiver, what it means to her and the challenges and benefits of using the word to describe family members, friends and kin who care about someone with a brain injury.

Carolyn Lemsky, Neuropsychologist

Topic: The Gap Between Say and Do – Information and Strategies for supporting someone with Initiation and Awareness after an ABI 

Dr. Lemsky is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience working with people who are living with a combined challenge of brain injury, serious mental illness, and substance use disorders. She is the clinical director of Community Head Injury Resource Services of Toronto.

Zoe Mentz, Social Work Consultant

Topic: Compassion Fatigue

Zoe Mentz is an experienced social worker, manager and trainer with a demonstrated history of working with children and families affected by trauma, mental health, and addictions. She is skilled in collaboration, public speaking, and program management. Zoe graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Master of Social Work after completing a degree in psychology at York University.

Andrea Rovazzi, Member with Lived Experience

Topic: Caring for someone with brain injury; Caregivers’ Group

Isabelle Rivaletto; Case Coordinator, BIST

Topic: Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) for caregivers

Isabelle Rivaletto has been working in the field of Acquired Brain Injury since 2014. She has a background in psychology and journalism and has a certificate in WRAP facilitation. Her experience working in the ABI community has assisted her in creating positive community partnerships leading to better access to support for people living with brain injury.

Melissa Forrest, Programs & Services Coordinator, BIST

 Information about the Peer Support Program for Caregivers

Melissa Forrest came to BIST originally on a two month contract as our ABI Community Connections Coordinator in the summer of 2020, where she assisted members access technology supports. She has over 10 years experiencing working in brain injury, including working as an Educational Assistant at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Her experience includes being a tutor at George Brown College and working at the First People’s Office and Student Support Services at Seneca College. She is known as a genius with word puzzles and has a close family member who lives with the effects of brain injury.

Thank you to our Platinum Corporate Sponsor

And for the Generous Support Provided by