On Thursday, May 4th, students at Martensville High School (MHS) will have an opportunity to learn more about injury prevention thanks to the P.A.R.T.Y. program, which is coordinated locally by the Saskatchewan Health Authority Acquired Brain Injury Services Education & Prevention in partnership with schools and community organizations.
According to Lisa McGowan, Education & Prevention Coordinator/Health Educator with Sask Central Acquired Brain Injury Services, P.A.R.T.Y. is a licensed injury prevention program for high school students developed by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.
“It’s grounded in the belief that 90% of injuries are predictable and preventable. Preventable injury is the leading cause of death and disability in young people in Canada. Our goal at P.A.R.T.Y. is to help students recognize and reduce the potential consequences of risk-taking behaviors by sharing information that’s honest, straight-forward and accurate. The day is interactive and experiential, which really resonates with students and keeps them engaged,” McGowan explained.
McGowan noted that a typical event follows the journey of a severely injured person, with local presenters in attendance to share their knowledge. “Students learn from injury survivors, health educators, paramedics, police officers, fire and rescue professionals, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and mental health and addictions professionals. Some of the topics covered include how and why severe injuries occur, what happens at the scene of a severe injury and in the emergency department, rehabilitation and recovery in the hospital, life changes after severe injury, the effects of alcohol and drugs on decision-making, the importance of good mental health, and ways to reduce the risk of severe injury.” The event will also include a mock vehicle crash and a simulated disability challenge. Students will have an opportunity to hear from Kayley Lawrenz, a young woman who became a quadriplegic at age 16, after being an unbelted passenger in a truck and was ejected when the driver lost control on a gravel road. Lou and Linda Van de Vorst will also be speaking to students about their experience losing their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren following a collision with an impaired driver in 2016.
The Martensville Fire Department will be on site for the mock vehicle crash, along with Medavie Health Services West. Deputy Fire Chief Dean Brooman explained that the fire department will be showing students what happens when there is a vehicle crash and how emergency responders tend to the situation.
“We have participated in this program in the past and think it is a great opportunity to show students not only what we do, but to learn from a lot of different professionals. We are looking forward to showing the students what can happen when an accident occurs and in a lot of cases, prevention is the key,” Brooman said.
PHOTO ABOVE: Members of the Martensville Fire Department and MD Ambulance were on scene at Martensville High School as part of the P.A.R.T.Y Program back in 2017, teaching students about emergency scenarios and encouraging them to engage in conversation about various situations
