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Shawn and Miki Matheson enjoy life on their farm in Carp after the Robin Easey Centre helped them adjust to Shawn’s brain injury.

Every morning since the accident, Rob Rae hops on the bus to go to work. Ten minutes later, his sister checks her Find My Phone app to make sure he’s going in the right direction. If he’s not, she sends him a text to let him know that he should get off and switch to the other side of the road.

This is one of the many ways that the Robin Easey Centre – an extension of The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre Acquired Brain Injury Program – helps patients with acquired brain injuries increase their independence.

In 2010, after participating in sledge hockey competition at the Vancouver Paralympics, Shawn Matheson suffered a brain injury, most likely a result of contracting meningitis during his flight home. Two years later, he was referred to the Robin Easey Centre by surprise, where he and his family worked with Wendy Spenst, a life-skills counsellor at The Ottawa Hospital, to develop strategies to help them adjust to daily living, and resume various goals and initiatives. Instead of returning to woodworking, Shawn chose to pursue farming, which allows him to adjust and cope with his condition.

“The doctor tells us about the damage, but Wendy explains what it means to our daily lives,” said Miki Matheson, Shawn’s wife. “Without the Robin Easey Centre, we wouldn’t be here, living comfortably. We would still be in a dark hole.”

Since then, the Robin Easey Centre has expanded its use of technology, introducing patients to tablet and smartphone applications that help them keep track of lists; set appointments and reminders; use transportation and map-based applications; and learn to manage their budgets. Many of these applications are synched to a loved one’s phone or computer, allowing them to supervise without actually being in charge.

Another key tool in the Robin Easey Centre’s arsenal is group meetings. Brain injury involves not being aware of your injury and the impact it’s having. By joining in group discussions, many patients see the effects of a brain injury in others before themselves; that enhances their self-awareness and helps them adjust to their own injury.

At the centre’s 20^th anniversary celebration on Feb. 19, staff and patients reflected on the many patients who have come through the doors feeling lost and confused, and who have left with a renewed sense of confidence and independence.

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