Dear Limestone District School Board , Admin, other parents "like me" & all else involved, Today is World Autism Day. Last week we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day. Next week it will be something else. And I was once proud of how our Board walked in inclusion with support. But, now, I’m confused. I am a parent of a child, your changes next year will hurt. I’m having chats with other parents and there is talk of MPP’s and media getting involved. And a whole uproar stirring. Which frankly is just & may be needed. But, I thought I’d first approach you with a letter. Which in m ..read more

 I still get jealous. After all these years. A decade worth of life with Pip. It doesn’t happen often. But when it does, it stings. Just for a minute. And today started out like one of those times. I was gearing up for a full week of appointments for Pip. Hospital visits full of blood work, x-rays & more Specialists than most people would see their entire life. And as I sat in one of the waiting rooms we’ve been visiting since she was a newborn. I started to feel myself fall down the pity-party-path. I can remember many a days, wiping tears in that exact room. Thinking of friends ..read more

 It’s wild to me that I just shared over at Omnipod Canada, that in navigating life with T1D, preparedness is essential! Like, we can't even leave the house for a walk around the block, without bringing supplies to keep Pip safe. Her blood sugar can drop & rise very quickly. And while 5 years now into this Type-One-Diabetes journey, I still feel anything but prepared. Sure, grabbing her essentials and always making sure her Dexcom & Omnipod are around, have become second nature now. I mean at this point, they are just a part of her & wherever she goes, they go. But, I'm ta ..read more

 I'm feeling the gap more now. Other parents before us, walking similar paths, warned me about it.  When I posted her Kindergarten graduation picture.  I was so proud of her.  Of all she accomplished not just academically but shoot the physical feats she had to climb.  But, I remember parents warned me to enjoy it then.  Because soon I'd feel the gap widening between my daughter and her peers.  And what inclusion would looked like.  When she went to daycare just two days a week.  When she was only two, after all her eye & heart surgeries.&n ..read more

Don't know if it's an American thing or celebrated elsewhere too.  But the month of October is Down syndrome Awareness Month.  Here in Canada however we celebrate it for a week, it use to be in November but this year is changing to the end of October.  This is on top of March 21st, World Down syndrome Day [WDSD].  And trust me, I'm all for whooping it up, bringing awareness & shouting my daughter's worth.  But, it's all changed for me over time.  Mainly because I don't need to shout it anymore as loudly, because she's old enough to do that herself.  But ..read more

My kids started school today.  One in his bedroom.  One in his closet.   And one in my office for about 30 minutes before she want to dance, bake, do yoga & TikTok.  Two years ago when my youngest started JK.  After not having much time to myself.  I thought, "This is it. This is gonna be the year, I'm going to get so much done." Push my non-profit into high gear.  Write that damn book that's been in my heart & head for years.  Shoot maybe even take care of myself and take a yoga class or something.  Anything.  But, then it w ..read more

 Imagine if you can, having a child, where every single doctor’s appointment you’re holding your breath. Because you’re either getting news about another surgery needed, or sucker punched with a new diagnosis. The first few years of my daughter’s life, this was our reality. Now imagine after 20+ operations and more disabilities combined than most, feeling for a week or two like something else was up with your child.  Imagine thinking because of their excessive thirst you just assumed something was off with their thyroid medicine. Believing your appointment would simply be a discussi ..read more

 I'm 40 today. Seems like it should be a big deal.  In my head it always felt like 40 would. And feeling all the love, is truly making it so. But in a way, it doesn't feel like I thought it was going to. I am sooooo emotional.  I opened up a package from my best friend this morning & lost it.    And all I feel is absolute gratitude.  That I'm here.  That I've made it thus far in life.  And that I get the privilege of growing old.  So, I thought I'd share: Like yourself. Be the type of person you'd would want to be around. Let ..read more

 Many years ago, when Pip was either struggling with an upcoming surgery or I was overwhelmed with everything going on with her. A young US Marine reached out to us. He told me how Pip had touched his life, had a Happy Soul Project logo in his helmet & then graciously sent some Marine goodies, including this hat. To this day, that hat is constantly fought over and hangs proudly in my oldest son’s bedroom. It continually sparks the conversation that his little sister, has amazingly gathered this community of people, we like to call #PipsArmy. That have made us feel lifted up in ..read more

Lately I feel like I've lost my way in soooo many areas: - As someone trying to run a non-profit during a freaking pandemic. I mean, I hate asking for money on a normal day, add this wild-twist-to-life and people barely know I run one. - As someone who vowed this was my year, turning 40 to get serious about my health.  Put it this way, Amazon had the audacity to deliver just a Toble​rone the size of a​ newborn baby, on a freaking SUNDAY and my husband caught me trying to hide it in a hall closet. ​Sooooooooo. - I've also lost my way as someone who wants to stay connected with fr ..read more