On April 10, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) students from Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School in Health and Wellness and Sports had the unique opportunity to visit Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for a Sector Partnered Experience on concussion advocacy and brain injury awareness as facilitated by HeadsupCAN.
This immersive day was organized by Seth Mendelsohn, Ryan Sutton, and the HeadsupCAN team, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by brain injuries. HeadsupCAN’s goal is to generate concussion awareness and support research through sharing a unique lived experience approach, while also providing leading edge concussion education programs that effectively utilize different forms of media and leverage existing resources.
Founded in 1899, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada's largest children's rehabilitation hospital. As of 2005, the Centre provides hospital care, outpatient clinics, an integrated kindergarten school program, assistive technology services and community outreach activities to nearly 7,000 children and youth with disabilities.
The experience began with a deep dive into the science of brain injuries. Students learned directly from Michael Jorgensen, PhD, of the University of Toronto and Dr. Shannon Scratch of Holland Bloorview, followed by four activity stations coordinated by Andie Hickling and Alexa Irvin. These sessions allowed students to explore Interdisciplinary Care, Concussion and Mental Health, Knowledge Mobilization, and the R2Play assessment model.
In the afternoon, the energy shifted to innovation as students tackled real-world challenge questions facing the hospital. They worked diligently to develop promotional campaigns for safe return-to-sport protocols and designed school-based programs to support peers returning to the classroom after a brain injury. The day culminated in a series of impressive pitches delivered directly to the Holland Bloorview team.
Sincere thanks to the staff at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital for opening their doors, and a special thank you to the HeadsupCAN team for facilitating such an inspiring and educational experience. Our students walked away with a profound understanding of how they might one day contribute to the recovery and support of their peers!
