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Dear Readers and Sports Fans,

There are probably too many sport analogies in the world. But the underdog Toronto Raptors have played as a complete team during their spectacular championship run and I can’t keep myself from adding one more. Besides, only top dogs don’t like a good underdog story.

rehabINK is a team. We are a team of fourteen graduate students who have done more collectively than could have been done individually. We worked hard to bring you this rehabilitation magazine, taking the publication process from abstracts review, through multiple rounds of editor feedback for authors, through copyediting, and through layout meetings. It’s a long road to get here.

Here to develop student thinking, writing, and knowledge translation for a diverse audience, rehabINK brings the stories of rehabilitation out of the academy and into the world. In our Summer Issue 7, we highlight Canadian innovations in arts- and theatre-based rehabilitation and showcase technology that overcomes barriers to engagement.

rehabINK is also a platform for dialogue on disability and rights. Despite improvements in health outcomes, progress has not been equitable for all. Learn about the neurodisability of vulnerable populations and the biases implicit in rehabilitation that disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous peoples. Let learning lead to advocacy.

Read on for authors’ big ideas like universal design that make life better for everyone.  Continue with another article on the search for meaning in life. I’m not guaranteeing you’ll find meaning in life by reading rehabINK, but you might. Before the final whistle blows, I’ll sum up John’s attitude: when facing adversity, remain adventurous and find creative solutions.

That’s what the Raptors did.

Adora Chui

Editor-in-Chief

p.s. Stay tuned for an upcoming rehabINK podcast on Women and Brain Health

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Dear Readers,

Too easily do we become so comfortable with our daily routines and roles that we stop taking on new challenges. Taking a risk or moving a step out of our comfort zone is often thought to be impossible due to fear of failure. But it is a fear we must try to overcome.

“Failure is essential. Trial and error is necessary.”

– David Bergen, Canadian novelist

For the past two years I was comfortable in my position on the rehabINK team as article reviewer and website editor. Rarely did I think I would be confident enough to take on the responsibility of managing an issue to publication ― a role out of my comfort zone. Knowing I was supported by an intelligent team of editors at rehabINK, I decided it was time to take a risk. The reward for that risk is this Summer Issue devised by a collection of inspired writers, a team of diligent editors, and a cast of creative illustrators.

Immerse yourself in Summer Issue 7

Our previous issue themed “Creativity, Innovation, and the Arts” provided an opportunity to collaborate with illustrators. Inspired by our authors’ stories, illustrators brought the articles to life through their visual creativity. Driven by the success of this collaboration, we continued this joint effort for Issue 7 while expanding the partnership by involving illustrators from various programs and cities.

Creative inspiration continues in Issue 7 with two articles that demonstrate the many forms of arts-based rehabilitation. In “Using Technology to Bring Meaningful Arts-Based Recreation to Older Adults,” discover the ArtontheBrain web app that allows users to learn, story tell, and interact with others through an art-driven experience. In “When aphasia comes on the scene: The journey and achievements of Le Théâtre Aphasique,”  art takes the form of drama workshops where participants with aphasia learn improvisation techniques and theatre show production.

In Issue 3, rehabINK editor Ivona Berger covered the 2017 International Brain Injury Association Conference for our readers. This year our team returned to the conference for a renewed perspective. In “Championing advocacy for persons with brain injury: Coverage of the 2019 International Brain Injury Association World Congress,” editor Mary Boulos and co-author Alana Changoor tell the stories of an advocate for brain injury rehabilitation in vulnerable populations and of an individual troubled by navigating the healthcare system after her brain injury. After taking in a busy conference, you might enjoy an interesting way to rest and relax ― through sound therapy at the Creative Works Studio. Imagine the sounds of crystal bowls, chimes, and beating drums when reading this senses-stimulating read.

Be inspired to make change in the world. Conscientious design of the spaces around you may promote greater social inclusivity for people with disabilities. Where Canada can go next to endorse accessibility and universal design is explored in the thought-provoking commentary “Us VS. Them: Will Canada become a more inclusive society?” Transition from universal spaces to communities in “Racialization and racism: Uncovering the implicit in rehabilitation sciences and research” for an opinion piece that challenges you to take a critical look at Canada’s health system.

I invite you to explore these engaging commentaries, enlightening profiles, and enriching reports in Issue 7. I hope this issue inspires you to take on new challenges in pursuit of your goals. Whether you are a rehab practitioner looking to enhance meaning in life  for your patients or an individual who awakens with a sudden and rare ailment, do not be afraid to take a risk. Taking a step out of my comfort zone allowed me to grow and develop new skills in project managing a team. The process was difficult at times, and I could have failed in this role. Just remember, even if you fail, you will always learn from your failure and become stronger because of it.

Happy reading!

Lucas Crosby

Summer Issue 7 Managing Editor