Life as it happens. I post things here that pertain to everyday living.
I was invited to be part of the launch for the Caring in Canada report on May 1, published by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence. The report provides survey insights from caregivers and care providers across Canada, and includes policy recommendations for improving the experiences and lives of caregivers. As part of a small … Read more
Apologies to my bioethics and patient engagement friends: I have something to say about dieting and need to put it somewhere! I’ve been in the process of sorting out my weight and health for about 2 years now. Most readers know the story: I lost 45+ pounds and I’m not even pre-diabetic now, nevermind having … Read more
What a year. Here’s an update on random things: Today is Owen’s birthday – he would have been 22. If he’d survived COVID-19. I see how fraught these times are for families with school-aged children. Double – no, triple – that for families with kids with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems. A million times … Read more
It’s Owen’s 21st birthday this weekend and I’ve been thinking about ways to acknowledge the day. I want to do something special this year. So, I’ve decided to make No Ordinary Boy free as a PDF, indefinitely. You are welcome to purchase the book as well of course! But please feel free to download the PDF, … Read more
Healthcare – especially public healthcare – is optimized for risk management. This will always be true despite talk of ‘personalized medicine’. It perpetuates its own truths and pre-approves acceptable choices for patients. Our experts and clinicians are trained to operate the system as it is, not to construct it on the fly according to each patient’s needs.
I had brunch with Lisa the other day. We hadn’t met in person before but we’d shared not a few laughs and commiserations online. Lisa is a fellow ‘disability mom’ – shorthand I use around the house when Carsten asks, “Now who is this again?” “Oh you know. A disability mom.” Say no more. I’m … Read more
On this sunny Saturday, I am working on my speech as the Sue MacRae lecturer for 2016. Hope to see you there! 9th Annual Sue MacRae Lecture on Ethics and Patient-Centred Care May 18 2016, 4:10-5:30 University of Toronto Health Sciences Building Dalla Lana School of Public Health 155 College Street, Room 106 Toronto ON … Read more
Both boys were born when we lived on Pape Ave. It’s a very busy street north of Gerrard, but south of Gerrard it’s quiet, leafy and residential. If you live in Toronto you know the neighbourhood as Leslieville. (When I was living there, it hadn’t been branded yet – it was really just a stretch … Read more
When I was a teenager, I sailed on a tall ship every summer. Toronto Brigantine is a sail-training organization for youth and operates two vessels: T.S. Playfair and S.T.V. Pathfinder. During the summer, the ships sail the Great Lakes with its seamen and crew, often sailing continuously through the night and arriving at port only … Read more
A reader asked for information regarding the homeschooling funding I accessed for Owen. I wrote her back, but figured it might useful to post about it again here. Short story is this: homeschooling is legal in Ontario as long as you follow the notification requirements. If your child is (or would be) eligible to receive … Read more