Robert was in a cycling accident in 2009 that caused a severe brain injury. He now has difficulties with balance, walking, speech and memory. He has to use a walker and receives physiotherapy and assistance. Despite his disabilities, Robert remains determined to raise awareness about brain injuries and cycling safety. He started an annual fundraising walk called CABI and speaks publicly about wearing helmets, sharing roads safely, and persevering through challenges.

1. My Story
Robert Wein

2. •
•
Hold your hand up if you’ve had a concussion
I would like for everybody who knows who
Sidney Crosby is to hold their hand up

3. •
•
•
Does everybody know that a concussion is an
acquired brain injury?
I’m not the only person here that has had an
acquired brain injury
Everybody that held their hand up having had
a concussion has suffered an acquired brain
injury

4. 
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
I enjoyed working for the government
I had an ultra-cool job, working at the agency that
“runs” secret operations around the world
I was in the group that designed programs for highsecurity purchases in Canada

5. 
I was a member of a
fitness bootcamp to
help me get into shape

My girlfriend, Cathy, and
I competed in Triathlons
(swim, bike, run)

6. I loved to ride my bike. The faster the better.

7. 
Triathlon
500 metre swim
90 km bike
10 km run

8. 


July 19, 2009
My girlfriend, 3 friends, and I were biking on
March Road.
We were hit from behind by a minivan.

9. 
This is what remained of our bikes

10. 
The man who hit us didn't stop.

11. The windshield was broken by
Hilary McNamee’s head.
At the trial, he swore that he didn’t
think he hit anything.
What do you think?

12. 


The story was big
news, in the Citizen,
and on TV
The trial lasted 6 days
He was found guilty
The judge said that she’d given him the most time
that she was able to, two years less a day

13. 
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I have physiotherapy twice a week.
I had to learn how to walk again, stand without
assistance and do daily activities that most
people don't even think about.
Speech therapy to help me remember to take
my time, speak slower and focus on what I am
saying.
I also have attendants who assist me outside the
house, drive me to day-programs, and to my
appointments.

14. 
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
After the accident, I “medically retired”
I have a new “job”, and that is to share the message
of awareness to everybody
It was easy to just give up, and not do anything, but
that’s not right – it just changes how I do things

15. 
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I’m not able to ride a
typical bicycle, because of
my balance
I’ve a new ride, that lets
me ride sitting down
It has the same equipment
that lets me click into my
pedals
It’s fast

16. 


This comic says a lot
The concept of an
acquired brain injury is
foreign to many people
I’m actually fortunate,
because I use a walker,
so people can see right
away that I’m disabled.

17. 

I don’t run like I used to. For long distances, I’m
pushed in a wheel-chair.
Although it may seem like a good thing, it was my
incentive to achieve more.

18. 

I went to The Nepean Sailing Club for a day of sailing, and
it required the use of a crane to get me into the boat.
Challenging, yes, but once I was in then it was as if I
wasn’t disabled.

19. 


Some of you might think that helmets are geeky, or
whatever, but they are the biggest (only?) reason
that nobody died
Tell everyone (especially your parents, but others
also) where you’re going, tell them the time that
you’re leaving
Always remember to contact someone to “check in”
when you arrive.

20. 
The Share The Road initiative is determined to help
raise awareness of cyclists by cars, and save lives. We
(the five of us) contributed our time and faces, through
a video, to pass along the message

21. 
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In 2009, I initiated an awareness walk, that I
called CABI, which stands for Conquer
Acquired Brain Injury
The first year happened around the world,
including Spain, Australia, the US, and Ottawa
The message was spread, but it raised $936
In 2010, the second walk wasn’t as global, but it
raised $10,000

22. 
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The third annual walk will be in June
Andrew Hayden Park
I’m inviting all of you to join
I have information cards for you
The registration will be $30, and you’ll get a tshirt

23. 
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
Safety matters, because you might not see the car
that will hit you
Always persevere, do your best, because there might
be a day where that’s all you’ve got
As long as you live, you will have challenges. The
question isn't if they will come, but how you will
face them when they do

24. Thank You