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...

It has been four years since my cancer diagnosis. In 2019 I published Bird's Eye View, my book about my cancer patient experience (among...

A while back, I was at a follow-up cancer appointment talking to an oncology resident in the clinic room. We were chatting about the...

Our days revolve around my husband’s work-at-home schedule and our new pandemic puppy’s need to pee or poop. Mike (the husband)...

Last week, Aaron and I were asked to present a plenary talk to the Children's Healthcare Canada's Transitions to Adulthood Pop-Up event. ...

When my son Aaron was born 17 years ago with Down syndrome, I was dumped head-first into an ocean of advocacy. This was an extremely...

My jaw locked a year ago. This is called TMJ disorder. Last February, just before the pandemic, I went to the doctor and then got bumped...