2026 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
Headwaters Acquired Brain Injury Group
Nominated For:
COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
Celebrating 17 Years of Connection, Support, and Innovation
The Headwaters Acquired Brain Injury Group (HABI)
Since 2009, the Headwaters Acquired Brain Injury Group (HABI) has been run by and for people living with acquired brain injury (ABI) in the Headwaters Region. HABI seeks to enhance lives of individuals and families living with ABI through education, public awareness, support, and social connection—and in 2026, we’re proud to celebrate our 17th anniversary!
How HABI Started
HABI began as a small group of individuals with lived experience with ABI, looking for connection and mutual support. Under the umbrella and with support from OBIA, HABI blossomed into a robust, welcoming, and innovative group. We are also grateful for our collaborations with Mind Forward over the years.
What Makes HABI Unique
In a mostly rural region, HABI has had to be creative and resourceful to thrive. HABI is:
Grassroots & Volunteer-Driven: For over 10 years, HABI operated on a near $0 budget—powered by determination, big hearts and community spirit. There are no paid staff members; instead, our members volunteer in both big and small ways to support the group’s vision. This fosters engagement, purpose and connection.
Inclusive & Accessible: HABI is open to anyone from anywhere living with acquired brain injury including survivors, family, and friends. At HABI you will find members with concussion/mTBI, as well as moderate and more severe brain injury and their families. HABI is free and there is never a wait list. Carpooling options were created to help ensure transportation is never a barrier.
Member-Led: Decisions, from event planning to guest speakers, are guided by the group’s collective input and interests. This creates a sense of connection—HABI feels like family.
What to Expect at HABI
HABI hosts monthly meetings that may include:
- Educational speakers selected by the group (over 75 guest speakers since 2009!)
- Public awareness events around ABI
- Mutual sharing and support – HABI members come together to share their experiences and receive mutual support. Individuals have powerful stories to share about their rehabilitation journey. HABI members often realize that, despite the uniqueness of each brain injury, they share many common experiences—particularly the challenge of being misunderstood due to their often-invisible injuries.
- Recreational or social activities to build connection and joy
HABI has also proudly hosted OBIA’s “Brain Basics” and Caregiver Workshops many times, educating people living with abi, local providers including first responders, staff from Family Transition Place (local women’s shelter) and Dufferin Child and Family Services.
HABI member, Wendy Cook, spurred to honour her late son Keaton Cook, helped to create OBIA’s first Brain Injury Awareness Flag now flown in communities across Ontario
What Members Say About HABI
- At HABI, I found people who really get it—who understand the daily challenges of life after brain injury.
- HABI gave me a voice, a place to be heard, and a reason to keep going.
- HABI is a place we can come and be with others who understand what our struggles are as a family without having to explain them.
- We are welcomed as a family here and we drive the distance to come to HABI because it feels like it’s a family.
- The support and love we receive from the members of HABI gets us through some really bad days.
Join Us
Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, friend, or advocate—you are welcome at HABI. We invite you to be part of this innovative and pioneering community dedicated to public awareness, education, and mutual support.
HABI is thrilled to be a nominee for Community Brain Injury Association of the Year for the 2026 Awards of Excellence in Brain Injury Rehabilitation presented by the Ontario Brain Injury Association and PIA LAW.