Strive Centre Headway New West - New Westminster, British Columbia

Susan E.

Great place for people with traumatic brain injury, be it new or old.

The other Strive office in Vancouver deals with TBI, and a lot of other disabilities. But the New Westminster one is tbi only.

Both sites run a variety of programs. Adapted fitness exercise, seated Tai Chi, and seated yoga. $2 lunch program(sandwich, carrot or pickles, granola bar, apple sauce, and juice/pop). They sometimes do outings or walks. They have crafts and triva. They have a pool table and lots of games. Many people play cards and a few play pool. They have monthly participants meeting too with pizza lunch.

The staff are very nice. Many people come on transit and walk a short distance or take Handy Dart. I personally don't like Columbia Station with a walker. The have a small key operated elevator/lift to the concourse I don't like. Not sure why it bothers me to use it. But I've seen it out of order once and a story once about someone getting stuck in it. I rarely see skytrain attendants there which adds to my fear of using it. So one time dragged my walker up and down stairs. Then decided to not bring it again.

New west station has frequent buses to the area. So if the elevator at Columbia freaks you out if you have a chair or walker you might want to bus over from New Westminster station. If the little elevator at Columbia seems fine for you try that. I've yet to try it. I might if someone's with me in the future.

By the way Handy Dart doesn't charge to pickup then drop off at skytrain/bus station. But they do charge to take you from skytrain/bus to a location like Strive. I wasn't aware of that until I wen5 from a doctors appointment in Vancouver to Burrard station and driver told me that the ride was free. Handy Dart doesn't accept seniors/disabled provincial pass. It takes normal/regular fares. Their transit zone map is also different.

William B.

A most EXELLENT place for people recovering and living with the challenges of Acquired Brain Injury ( A.B.I ) and other physical, and cognitive barriers. The staff are engaging, friendly, and very compassionate.
This is a model on to which All government, and public sectors could take a page from the STRIVE playbook.
Daniel -William Skarsgård

Izabela M.