Robyn Littleford
Is the Department Head of the G. F. Strong School Program at G. F. Strong
Rehab Centre, in Vancouver, BC. She has been teaching children and adolescents
with traumatic injuries, including acquired brain injury, since her appointment
to the G. F. Strong School Program, almost 21 years ago, in February 1986.
Assessment, teaching and reintegration of students with brain injury back
to their schools has been a focus of her work. She has worked with college,
school and school district staff across this province and has given numerous
presentations and workshops on a wide-range of topics dealing with educating
students with brain injury. She has also been involved in the development
of numerous teaching materials dealing with the topic of brain injury.
Robyn completed her Bachelor of Education in May 1982 at the University of Victoria. She completed her Masters of Education in Educational Psychology and Special Education in May 2000 at the University of British Columbia. Robyn has also worked as private Educational Consultant assisting students with traumatic brain injury as they pursue their educational dreams.
Kim Pemberton
Is the mother of two girls, ages 15 and 11. Her youngest Hannah has an
acquired brain injury. In 2004 Kim was awarded the John Simpson Rehab
Family Award. She has been a reporter with the Vancouver Sun since 1987,
working on general news, social issues, disabilities and most recently architecture
and homes.
John Simpson
Was born in Dublin Ireland and started in the insurance claims business
in 1952. He continued in insurance claims in the US, London England and
Manchester England before coming to Canada and BC in 1966. He became involved
in rehabilitation in 1970 when section B came into force.(Part 7 ICBC) He
has served on the boards of the Cheshire Homes Society of BC and the Canadian
Paraplegic Assoc(now BCPA) John was a pioneer of Brain Injury resources
in BC as a founder of the BC Head Injury Assoc. He also has served on the
Premiers Advisory Council for 3 years and is one of the original 4 founders
of the PCBIC as well as founding FRBIA.
Dr. Theo Vanrijn
Is a physiatrist who has been practicing in the community since 1983. He
is currently completing his 5-year appointment as the Head of the UBC Division
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and also serves as a clinical teacher
for medical students and residents. Since completing his specialty training,
he has been an advocate for people with disabilities and has taken a particular
interest in persons who have suffered brain injuries.
Josie Thombs
Is a Vancouverite and lawyer who recently moved to Nelson, British Columbia,
where she runs a solo practice. She practices primarily in a number of administrative
law areas and dedicates a portion of her practice to assisting those in
need and community involvement. She studied honours sociology at Dalhousie
University, and law at both UBC and the international law school in Maastricht,
Netherlands. She enjoys travel, swimming, camping, reading, writing and
cooking. Josie currently also sits on the Discipline Committee of the College
of Applied Biology of BC, and on the Education Committee of the Canadian
Bar Association’s BC Branch Women Lawyers Forum.