Back-to-school brings a familiar worry for families managing juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: will my child have what they need to start the year strong? Join Cassie + Friends for “Ready, Set, School — Foundations for the First Day,” a virtual session with pediatric Occupational Therapist Tessa Woodford and C+F’s Marissa Sangers, Family Support and Engagement Coordinator. You’ll leave with concrete strategies for the first weeks of school — from requesting academic and physical accommodations, to talking to teachers about flares and fatigue, to setting your child up for a confident start.
Meet Our Speakers
Tessa Woodford
Occupational Therapist, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
Tessa Woodford is an occupational therapist based in Edmonton, Alberta. She has been working at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for 9 years, initially with people who have had spinal cord injury. She joined pediatrics 5 years ago and has been seeing children with rheumatological conditions during this time. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Edmonton’s beautiful river valley with her family!
Marissa Sangers
Family Support and Engagement Coordinator, Cassie + Friends
Marissa brings a deeply well-rounded perspective to the school environment, combining a professional background in Early Childhood Education and Autism and Behavioural Sciences with over a decade of hands-on experience as an Educational Assistant before joining the Cassie + Friends team. In addition to her professional expertise, Marissa has 10 years of lived experience as a parent navigating the school and healthcare systems for her own child living with juvenile arthritis. She operates at the intersection of families, educators, and healthcare providers, dedicated to ensuring every child has the understanding, accommodation, and support they need to thrive in the classroom.
Hosting our Session:
Danielle Harrison
Manager, Programs + Partnerships, Cassie + Friends
As the Manager of Programs + Partnerships at Cassie + Friends, Danielle leverages a decade of social work experience to advocate for those managing chronic pain and health conditions. Having navigated her own chronic illness in her youth, she is deeply committed to delivering impactful programs that empower others. When she isn’t working to drive meaningful change, Danielle enjoys spending time with her two children and relaxing with a good book.
