People
“Unmasking Brain Injury”Reveals Life with ABI
June is Brain Injury Awareness month. This year, participants at Communitas’ Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Drop-In in Abbotsford took part in a unique art project that allowed them to visually share their journey with an acquired brain injury.
Unmasking Brain Injury uses colours and symbols to represent the realities of living with an ABI. The masks became the canvas that allowed each individual to express their own experience.
Amina Ochai is the manager of the Abbotsford ABI Drop-In. She says the project was both creative and informing as the group learned that there is more to a brain injury than what is visible on the surface. Many people call ABI an invisible injury because so often the person living with an ABI does not have outwardly visible symptoms. An ABI can manifest itself in many ways: memory loss, speech impediments, headaches, and more.
Sara and Judy both attend the Abbotsford Drop-In as facilitators. Sara suggested using plain masks as a way for participants to design and express their individual brain injury journeys. Judy collaborated with Sara to develop and bring the Unmasking Brain Injury art project to life. The group’s response to the project was very positive.
“Creating the masks encouraged people to think deeply, to reflect on what their injury meant, and how it had affected their lives,” Amina says.
Judy wanted her mask to show both the physical and mental impacts of living with an ABI. Judy lives with brain fog and chronic fatigue. She experiences deep frustration, insecurity, and anxiety.
“Even when there is success, the daily journey still has its challenges,” she says. “But I also realize that my journey isn’t over and every day, I am valued and loved and can make a difference in someone’s life.”
The same is true for Dana, who is also a facilitator with the Abbotsford Drop-In. Her mask is adorned with a Fascinator, which symbolizes the possibility of having a fascinating life despite the trauma of living with a brain injury. The colours and jewels represent the love and blessings that can still be borne out of a life-changing experience.
“I hope that people who see my mask will understand that the colourful and the beautiful remain intact and may even stand out brighter after tragedy and set-back,” Dana says.
Masks are an appropriate medium for this exhibit because masks can both hide and reveal. As Judy says, “appearances can be deceiving.”
“I hope people who view the exhibit or read this story will understand that we are no different than anyone else,” Judy says. “We all have struggles and stories and we can all achieve success if we support one another.”
Amina says the project became a life-changing opportunity for deep reflection and creative expression.
“I believe that our inner thoughts and experiences help define who we are and make us unique,” Amina says. “Accepting the reality of these challenges is an important step toward healing, growth, and wholeness.”
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