Learn how the beats and sounds of music can benefit the brain at the 'East Coast Festive Kitchen Party' hosted by the Brain on Wheels Rehab Society at Duncan United Church on Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m., as they invite community members to come out to this free event to experience how music supports wellness through the Six Pillars of Brain Health.
"Music is more than entertainment, it's medicine for the mind," said recreation therapist intern Claire Leitch. "Through our programs we aim to inspire."
BOWRS which has no association with the Cowichan Brain Injury Society, was founded by former CBIS executive director Chris Rafuse. It offers programs that can be accessed anywhere in the community and is a new venture not just geared to help those living with a brain injury, but rather for all cognitive rehabilitation.
"I was inspired to start Brain On Wheels Rehab Society due to cognitive impairment running in my family as a result of dementia and other such as addictions and stroke," said Rafuse. "We have services available for brain health for all stages of life whether one has dementia, anxiety, stroke or looking for solutions for healthy aging. Issues such as functional neurological disorder do not fall under brain injury, but we can serve them under our brain health services. We empower people with brain health by using recreation therapy for a healthier brain."
Recreational Therapy is therapy.
Rafuse, who has been a certified recreational therapist since 2009, said the mission of the society that officially got underway this past summer on July 11 is to optimize brain health as they aim to inspire hope, and foster brain health by offering a comprehensive continuum of of support, programs, and education to assist in awareness as well as prevention across the lifespan. Services that BOWRS offers include case management, education, both individual and group programs and peer support, as well as respite and assistance with errands and medical appointments.
"This new venture feels really good because people have come to us from word of mouth, and I can help people that I couldn't help before, especially people with dementia," said Rafuse. "There are programs for caregivers but little for the people with dementia. Therapeutic recreation interventions can enhance quality of life and can slow cognitive decline and aid recovery and rehabilitation for a variety of brain health disorders."
MLA Debra Toporowski will do the official opening for the kitche party that will include food, music, dance and lots of activities to demonstrate the Six Pillars of Brain Health, which encompasses physical exercise, mental stimulation, sleep, and stress management, social connection, and nutrition.
"It is an honour to have Debra come to our event," said Rafuse. "It feels good because she is an inclusive leader that gives us hope for positive change in our community. We are also both starting out on our new career paths and on the cusp of starting meaningful change in the Cowichan area."
The event has been made possible through the support of several Duncan community sponsors such as Dairy Queen, Coffee On the Moon, Thrifty's and Real Canadian Superstore. All are welcome, and snacks and warm beverages such as hot apple cider will be provided, and any additional donations would be happily received.
"Come to our kitchen party to meet your brain," said Rafuse. "The pre-frontal cortex is the brain’s CEO, the temporal lobe is the brain’s GPS, the occipital lobe is the brain's eye and the cerebellum is the brain's coordination."
For more information on the society, or their upcoming kitchen party call 250-709-8404 or email admin@brainonwheels.org.
"Social connection is so important to one’s mental health," said Rafuse. "We work from a therapeutic recreation process to enhance brain health across the lifespan. We hope attendees will understand how important the connections between brain health and recreation therapy is by participating in music, art, line dancing as well as connecting with people."
