Register today!
School is back in session which means families affected by juvenile arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases are looking to learn how to best set up their child or teen up for success in the classroom:
- How do I explain JA to educators, coaches and the administration?
- What about missed classes due to medical appointments, flares, and medication side effects?
- How should my child advocate for themselves when I’m not there?
- What about backpacks, pen grips and other supports?
- How can we reduce the weight load of textbooks, school supplies and other items that leave my child aching?
Cassie + Friends is here to connect you with the answers you need!
Register for our upcoming Back-to-School webinar where we’ll work together to create a personalized ‘School Action Plan’ alongside an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, School Principal & JA Parent! We guarantee you’ll leave this session feeling confident and fully equipped to tackle back to school this fall. As always, bring your questions for our live Q+A!
Register today!
We are pleased to offer this session live in both English and French!
Looking for links to our Top 5 Tips for Back-to-School?
Find them here!
Session Speakers:
Sarah James | Occupational Therapist, BC Children’s Hospital
Sarah is an occupational therapist currently working at BC Children’s Hospital Rheumatology clinic. She completed her PhD in 2014 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia and moved to Canada in 2017 where she began working at BC Children’s Hospital. She has worked across a range of research and clinical areas, and is passionate about supporting children and their families to work towards their individual goals.
Colleen Castonguay | Parent Speaker and School Principal, Vancouver BC
Colleen, her husband, Lance and their two children, Cole and Caden live in the Lower Mainland. Colleen is the principal of an elementary school. Caden was diagnosed with JIA when she was 3 years old. They have attended the annual Cassie + Friends Family Days regularly. Caden, now almost 16 years old, has developed some creative coping strategies over the years. She has found a variety of ways to manage difficult times and she has become more independent with her treatment. The Castonguay’s are an active family spending as much time as possible outdoors, biking, paddling and with their dog Nahanni.
Jo-Anne Marcuz | Physiotherapist, SickKids
Jo-Anne Marcuz has been a registered physiotherapist since 2003 and has been working with the Rheumatology Division at SickKids since 2005. She enjoys working as part of an interdisciplinary team in striving to help patients achieve their optimal state of wellbeing and participation in the activities they love. Jo-Anne compliments her work at SickKids with teaching at the University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy. She has also been fortunate to be involved in many research projects over the years. When not at work, Jo-Anne adores her time with family.
Heather Best | Occupational Therapist, Mary Pack
Heather is an Occupational Therapist currently working at the Mary Pack Arthritis Program in
Vancouver. She has 25 years of experience working with patients with rheumatic disease across many
different age groups. She worked as an OT in the pediatric rheumatology program at BC Children’s
Hospital for 10 of those years. Her current role includes supporting patients seen in the YARD program
which is a clinic for patients transitioning from pediatric care to navigating adult care and post secondary
challenges and adventures.
