Summer Memories of the Lake
Today I am at the lake, remembering. Nicholas used to come with us here – to swim in our crystal clear water, to play charades with family (Jim and I…
Donna Thomson
My Name is Donna Thomson and I am an Expert…
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a workshop for women in leadership positions who want to learn the ins and outs of writing Op-Eds for national newspapers. Shari Graydon…
Kill Me Now, I’m Disabled – The Assisted Suicide Debate
Yesterday, I was listening to the radio on my drive home from Montreal. I had driven from our cottage in the Quebec Laurentians in the early morning to join my…
Fathers, Dads, Papas, Grandfathers
Today is Father’s Day. In the realm of disability and family, we talk most often about mothers. But today, I would like to say a few words about what it…
Haunting Memories
I guess we are all haunted sometimes by things we have done in the past. When I was a graduating high school student, I was lucky to have a summer…
Who Deserves Taxpayers’ Dollars and Who Doesn’t?
As I leave for Montreal to visit my Mum in hospital, I noted this article from the Huffington Post. Have a read and let me know what you think! PS:…
Managing Care Online!
Last week, I noticed a health blog in the New York Times titled “Managing Care Online“. I had to read it and write to respond, describing our experience with a…
New Future Planning Magazine Hot Off the Press!
A few months ago, I travelled to Toronto at the invitation of Louise Kinross, Director of Communications at Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. I spoke to the parents there about…
Great Ideas on Housing, Support and Networked Care
One of the people I admire most in the care field is Alex Fox, CEO of Shared Lives Plus in the UK. I met Alex about four years ago when…
Families as Lobbyists to Get What They Need
I mentioned a couple of days ago that I will be teaching a workshop with Ottawa’s Advocacy School. My workshop will be titled “How to Know What You Want and…
Medicare in the 21st Century – Change is Afoot!
On May 23, I was lucky enough to hear Andre Picard speak. He’s the health and social policy writer for the Globe and Mail newspaper, but he’s much more than…
Under Siege by the Fates
Here’s the thing about being a parent to a son or daughter who is totally dependent – as you get older, you feel more vulnerable, not less. You begin to…
I Am Leading A New Workshop for Caregivers!
I am so pleased to announce that I will be working with a Canadian organization called The Advocacy School – My workshop is for families giving care to a loved…
Sharing The Care
Looking after a child with severe disabilities, then having another baby, then helping to look after an ageing Mum have all taught me some life lessons about surviving the caregiving…
Beauty and Difference – A Celebration
I love clothes, I love fashion, I love feeling wonderful in clothes I love, I love shoes, I love getting dressed up for parties, I love getting my hair done,…
Thank You to Our Nurses – National Nurses Week
Today marks the mid-point of National Nursing Week. This year’s theme identified by the Canadian Nurses Association is “The Health of Our Nation”. The international theme this year is “Closing…
Austerity and Innovation – Reinventing Society
Over the last week, I have been busy – let me bring you up to date. Last Wednesday, May 2, I tuned in to a podcast of the MARS lecture…