Relative Strangers Interactive

Time for an update. Extremely happy share this article I was privileged to co-author with senior Complex Care Pediatricians at SickKids. It was published last week in "Pediatrics" the peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Titled, "Family Partnership in Continuing Medical Education: A Collaborative Experience" it examines Key Learnings from a continuing medical education webinar called "C6" that was co-designed and co-delivered by clinicians and family/patient partners.

The webinar was such a unique experience because it was a true co-design/delivery model structured on a flattening of the hierarchies between medical professionals and patients/families, much like Family-Centred Care but in this case directed to continuing medical education.

It was a fantastic example of a model called "dialogic education" which the paper describes as "rooted in nonhierarchical conversation, incorporates patient experiences to deepen learners’ perspectives and values through reflection." So rather than a top-down, master-teacher-imparting-knowledge approach, it's an educational model of equal partners bringing their perspectives and knowledge to share and engage in mutual dialogue and from that meeting, new knowledge or improved knowledge grows. That said, it's not pushing this as "the" model but an effective (and novel) model for "these" type of needs.

I created a short blog post about it with a link to the AAP article. There's also an energetic short video about the webinar based on clips of the family-leader-educators and the clinician-educators from the actual webinar sessions:
http://relativestrangers.ca/co-author-sickkids-family-partnership-in-medical-education-article-in-american-acadmeny-of-pediatrics-journal/

So deeply honoured to share this latest video story project I co-created with my amazing former colleagues Reitman Centre Dementia Support, Aynsley Moorehouse & Dr. Joel Sadavoy. This story of "Nadia and her Mama" and the "Finding Meaning: Dementia Caregiver Stories Project" explores, honours and uncaps the complexity, depth, and power of the caregiving relationship and the journey of family caregivers. I send my deepest gratitude to Nadia for the depth of her sharing, the truth and honesty she presented to us, not shying away or glossing over this picture of life but also claiming to its core, her truth of the growth and meaning that is possible in the midst of struggle, so often wrapped in unexpected moments, like that of her Mama and her tatoo.

Read and watch the short video story on the Reitman Centre/ Enhancing Care for Ontario Care Partners website via the post shared from Sinai Health below.

You can also read some of my personal reflections on the project and how it ties together a creativity and care journey that I began some 25 years ago as a 24 year-old, live-in caregiver/ assistant with the amazing L'Arche Daybreak community, with whom I continue to journey as an Associate Member. Link to my Relative Strangers Interactive portfolio site:
http://relativestrangers.ca/finding-meaning-the-dementia-caregiver-story-project-nadia-and-her-mama/

“Nadia and her Mama” – Finding Meaning: The Dementia Caregiver Story Project - Dementia Carers Deiren Masterson, Aynsley Moorhouse and Dr. Joel Sadavoy partnered, with the support of The Cyril & Dorothy, Joel & Jill Reitman Centre for Alzheimer’s Support and Training at Sinai Health and Relative Strangers Interactive, to create the Finding Meaning: Dementia Caregiver Stories Project, a shor...

‪8 Million Feet to Rome: Pope Saint John Paul II Funeral https://youtu.be/c9EU5pgA77o

On his 100th birthday, remembering gathering with hundreds of thousands of other gentle souls on the eve of funeral, camera in hand as we walked through that beautiful night. ‬

8 Million Feet to Rome: Pope Saint John Paul II Funeral 4 million People. 8 Million Feet to Rome. The funeral of Pope John Paul II was the biggest funeral in the history of the world. This is a very personal film....

God bless you Fr. McCarthy
Monica and I were able to attend last nights prayer service for Fr. McCarthy. Such a powerful evening - Doug's spirit and life was so alive in the beautiful stories from his brother, family and parishioners. Met fellow L'Arche compatriots in the pews. One of Doug's closest parishioners shared how Doug had just recently reflected to her that his whole life identity was "priest". A truly humble, real, deeply intelligent and beautiful follower (and guide) of Jesus. Thank you Fr. McCarthy - your true priesthood so deeply touched my life when our life paths crossed.

We are very sad to announce that Fr Doug McCarthy, SJ, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon (August 24, 2019). He was 74 years old.

Fr Doug had served here at Our Lady of Lourdes as Associate Pastor for the past six years. We have all been blessed by his presence, his ministry and his friendship. We are grateful for how he shared his wisdom in his homilies, for his insightful counsel and advice, and for his special concern and attention he always gave to those experiencing the heaviest struggles and burdens. We are all better persons and Christians because of Fr Doug.

As his friends, we are grateful that Fr Doug now enjoys God’s peace fully, that he enjoys God’s love fully, and that he enjoys these fully as God’s beloved son. And so, as his friends, let us pray for Fr Doug together. May he rest in peace.

Information about Fr Doug’s arrangements will be posted on the website and social media as soon as they are available. You may also contact the Parish Office at 416-924-6257 or [email protected] to inquire.

Madness! 69 years of marriage begets this? Within a week of an assessment such a life shattering move is acted on. I've seen the negative impacts of the stress of such a 'crisis' separation on an elderly persons health. Not to be taken lightly.

Have you contacted resources such as ACE (Advocacy Centre for the Elderly) http://www.advocacycentreelderly.org/

I understand someone like Susan Bryson, their Vice Chair and lawyer, could be an excellent resource for your parents understanding their legal rights here.

Three really good friends.

Teacher, "shepherd", farmer, ambassador of goodwill, a blaze of grace - such pure and true goodness - my dearest friend, you are a Gentle Man John Smeltzer - you and the love you walked with, there so glowingly on the road eternal...such a good man Mr. Smeltz!

Reversing the Tide on Diabetes — With over one million Canadians suffering from Type 2 diabetesand a further two million who are considered to be at high risk of developing the disease, the urgency to learn more about how to prevent and effectively treat diabetes is greater than ever.