Cambridge study shows high number of brain injuries among homeless population in city
Concerns are being raised in Cambridge where a recent study by a local health organization found a large number of people experiencing homelessness in the city have an acquired brain injury.
Traverse Independence, an organization that helps adults with acquired brain injuries, is behind the study. Its CEO calls the numbers concerning, saying around 60 to 65 per cent of people with mental health complications and addictions also have a brain injury, but the numbers in this study exceed that.
“Out of the 93 people that we screened, 68 of them came back as screening positive for a brain injury,” said Toby Harris, CEO of Traverse Independence.
“And then you layer on the living rough and precariously on the streets component, we’re not surprised that it increased that percentage up to 73 per cent.”
Bobbie Townsley is experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
Bobbie Townsley was one of the 93 people experiencing homelessness who was screened at the drop-in site at 150 Main Street in Cambridge as part of the study. His results came back positive for an acquired brain injury.
Townsley says the results were actually a relief because he now has an explanation for symptoms that were causing him frustration.
“Losing your spot in your train of thought,” he says. “You know, you kind of stutter, or you can’t really articulate everything you want to say to the person. I would say parts of coordination. I tend to hit my head a lot.”
Cambridge Shelter Board Chair Sharon Livingstone appears during an interview with CTV Kitchener.
The Cambridge Shelter Corporation says they’ve noticed a much lower number of people passing through their facilities with acquired brain injuries.
“Our experience at the shelter is we have five per cent of our clientele (who) have said they have an acquired brain injury that’s documented,” said Cambridge Shelter Board Chair Sharon Livingstone.
Livingstone adds that’s likely because the people screened as part of the study were primarily those living in rough conditions and in encampments.
Head trauma, addictions, overdoses and living conditions are all contributing factors to acquired brain injuries.
Both organizations say more supports are needed.
Toby Harris, CEO of Traverse Independence, appears during a Zoom Interview with CTV Kitchener.
“Brain injury needs to be recognized as part of the mental health and addictions system, which [would be] a huge system change, even provincially,” said Harris.
For people like Townsley, there is a fear if that help doesn’t come.
“Dying on the street homeless because I can’t manage myself in areas that aren’t maybe so recognizable,” he says.
Bobbie Townsley skips on a Cambridge street. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'