"After high school was done, my son started living his own life.” -a wise mom Aaron withdrew from his last year of high school on the...

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Any parent who has rushed their child to the hospital as they struggled to...

My son Aaron has not been to in-person school since March 6, 2020, when the pandemic arrived. He was midway through Grade 11. He’s...

To put the care back into health care, focus on relationships. To focus on relationships, build trust and mutual caring. To build trust...

The other day, I overheard my son Aaron saying to our puppy Abby, "I love you no matter what." I do believe that Abby was being a turd at...

If your heart is broken, make art with the little pieces. – Shane Koyczan I'm beyond thrilled that the Journal of Medical Imaging and...

We did not celebrate Canada yesterday. Instead, we spent the day explaining to our son - who is 18 years old and has Down syndrome -...

happy faces only is a new book from author Karen Klak. I’ll show all my cards: Karen is my friend. I first met her at the Stollery...

My son Aaron is 18 years old. He imbibes in a beer at the pub where it is legal and is scrupulous about saving money to buy the latest...

My son had his second COVID shot yesterday. I know that I am supposed to be thankful for every crumb thrown to my disabled child. I am...

Four years ago today I was in the middle of cancer treatment. I never got over it. I never went back to normal. It was not a gift. In...

I was recently on a panel for the Canadian Association for Health Services Policy and Research. The topic was an important one:...

“Please look after yourself. It is ok to have a good life.” As a nursing school drop-out who eventually was granted an English degree in...

My friend Mary Morgan died on April 13, 2021. Before she died, she lived. She definitely lived - a rich and bold life. She was loved by...

Canada’s slow and painful vaccine roll-out is not surprising to anyone who has been immersed in health care in this country as a patient,...

It is not secret that I believe in the power of storytelling in health care. I have been coaching patients, families and staff to craft...

My dear friend Mary died yesterday. She had a MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) appointment and now she is gone. I met Mary at a...

This pandemic has deeply affected those with Big Hearts. I’m struggling to write coherently in the midst of this crisis. I fear for my...

My (former) little baby boy turns 18 years old today. I am not going to give a commentary about Down syndrome or the pandemic. We are...

I have been attending various caregiver support groups to try to make sense of what’s happened this past year. Talking through my story...