Did you know that June was Brain Injury Awareness month? Every year Community Brain Injury Services (CBIS) holds a picnic for staff, clients, and family members to mark the occasion. Although it was a wet afternoon there was no dampening the spirits of all those in attendance. Staff, clients and family members from across Belleville, Kingston, Brockville, Smith Falls and Perth joined together at Lake Ontario Park for a fun-filled afternoon. There was games, live music, face painting, and smiles everywhere you looked. A band played crowd favourites and people huddled under the pavilion to hear the sounds of Johnny Cash and Jimmy Buffet.

CBIS has held their annual picnic for over two decades and it is no surprise that it has grown over the years. Not only do current staff and clients attend, but it is not uncommon to see former staff and clients there as well. In fact, some clients attend the annual picnic to meet up with other clients who they know from having been at St Mary’s of the Lake at the same time.

As a part of Brain Injury Awareness month staff and clients from across CBIS’ three locations participated in a variety of events. In Kingston, CBIS and the ABI System Navigation of Southeastern Ontario hosted the annual Acquired Brain Injury Conference for Professionals with over 100 participants in attendance. In Brockville, the annual Walk with Us event raised over $2600 for client programs, and in Belleville, CBIS partnered with Pathways to Independence and the Brain Injury Association of Quinte District to take part in Celebrating Success 2017 – a display of art work by brain injury survivors.

Rain or shine – the annual picnic is a highlight for staff and clients alike at CBIS. To learn more about Community Brain Injury Services visit our website.