Name: Share Your Caregiver Experience
Start: 2026-05-06T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-06T14:00:00-04:00
Location: Brain Injury Society Of Toronto (BIST)

Community Meetings are open to: people living with Brain Injury, families, friends, professionals and anyone who wants to learn about ABI.
About this Event

Learn about a topic relevant to brain injury and socialize with others at our bi-monthly program – IN PERSON or ONLINE!

Program Recording & Privacy Notice:

Please Note - this Educational Session will be recorded, and may be shared publicly on BIAYR's Youtube Channel. Participants names, or anything participants choose to share verbally, or in the chat may be recorded. Please participate in the program in ways that feel comfortable for you in a public setting.

Guest Speaker: Karen Javier

Karen Javier is the Owner and Operator of FirstLight Home Care North York, a home care service dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating the challenges of caregiving with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Her journey into the home care industry began in 2022 when her husband suffered a stroke- an experience that profoundly changed their lives and gave her firsthand insight into the emotional, physical, and practical realities caregivers face every day. That deeply personal experience ignited her passion to support other families who find themselves suddenly navigating the complex world of caregiving.

Before entering the home care field, Karen built a successful corporate career in customer care and business development with companies such as Red Hat Canada, Dell Canada, and HP, where she specialized in building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service.

In 2023, Karen made the courageous decision to leave the corporate world and launch FirstLight Home Care North York. Today, she leads a growing team committed to providing high-quality, personalized care that allows seniors and individuals recovering from illness or injury to live safely at home while also supporting and empowering the caregivers who stand beside them.

Guest Speaker: Remy Perry

Remy learned about BIAYR in January 2018, a little over two years after his wife, Carol, suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident in November 2015. At the time, he was finishing a 31-year stint as a French and special education teacher with the Toronto District School Board. It was his second career, after he left his first as a working journalist.

With the accident, Remy had to turn the skills and knowledge he had developed for meeting the needs of students with disabilities, to caring for a wife with a new disability. Fortunately, he was not alone, having the support not only of family and friends, but also of an incredibly dedicated and caring support group in BIAYR. After getting to know some of these wonderful people, he knew he had to become part of the team. When the Board opened up a slot for someone to represent caregivers, he threw in his name. When he is not driving Carol to events, Remy likes to indulge in his passion for international cooking, as well as cycling and camping. Since 2025, he has hosted The Caregiver Channel podcast.

Guest Speaker: Candace Diep

Candace brings a wealth of experience in consulting, project management, and operations to her role as Executive Director. With an educational background in commerce, learning development, and grant writing, she hopes to apply her skills and knowledge to help BIST continue to aid survivors of brain injury and their families.

As a caregiver herself, Candace has seen firsthand the positive and life-changing effects of programs that support brain injury survivors and their families, and she understands the importance of advocacy and education during the recovery process.

In her downtime, she enjoys reading, playing ukulele, and exploring new cultures. Candace also enjoys snowboarding in the winter and golf in the summer with her two children and partner.

This is a HYBRID Meeting.

(ONLINE): ZOOM

(IN-PERSON): BIST OFFICE