You know the saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”… connections can make all the difference. Finding a strong community of support and building healthy relationships with your child’s healthcare team are critical to successfully navigating life with JA/childhood rheumatic disease.
In this session, certified family life educator and parent coach, Lisa Greene will walk us through the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of cultivating strong relationships with your pediatric rheumatology team. You’ll also hear from JA Mom, Brittany Dieroff, who will share how her daughter’s healthcare team supported her in making tough treatment decisions and why she was inspired to get more involved with the Cassie + Friends community locally.
Join this session for the opportunity to:
- Meet other families in our community
- Hear directly from a parent speaker sharing her family’s experience navigating JA and how they worked alongside their care team to set their daughter up for success
- Learn how to build and improve relationships and advocate for your family with your healthcare team
And, don’t forget to bring your questions for the live Q+A!
Meet Our Speakers
Lisa Greene, Certified Family Life Educator & Parent Coach, Author
Lisa is a certified family life educator, certified parent coach and (most importantly) MOM! And, as a parent of two children living with chronic illness, Lisa knows the challenges parents and caregivers may face.
Since 2004, she has worked with Foster Cline MD, a well-known child psychiatrist and co-founder of the popular Love and Logic parenting program. Together, they have created several new Love and Logic resources including the award-winning book Parenting Children with Health Issues and the DVD Parenting Children with Special Medical Needs: Love and Logic Tools for Raising Resilient Kids. Lisa presents workshops to hospitals and non-profit organizations throughout North America and through her sessions, parents walk away with a lighter step and simple, practical parenting tools. Lisa’s message is: “You can do it!”
Brittany Dieroff, JA Parent | Edmonton, AB
Meet Brittany Dieroff, a mom whose journey into the world of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) began with the diagnosis of her daughter at just 18 months old. Despite her background as a Respiratory Therapist, Brittany found herself navigating unfamiliar territory, working to understand the nuances of this challenging disease. Over the last few years, with the help of Cassie + Friends, she has gained valuable insights that have reshaped her perspective both personally and professionally. As a Parent Ambassador for Cassie + Friends in Edmonton, she is committed to raising awareness and support for those affected by juvenile arthritis.
Joining our Q+A Panel:
Heather Ross, Pediatric Nurse | McMaster Children’s Hospital, Hamilton ON
Heather Ross is a dedicated pediatric nurse at McMaster Children’s Hospital. She has 16 years of experience working with the pediatric population. And joined the Rheumatology team at McMaster Children’s Hospital in February of 2023. She is passionate about providing compassionate care to young patients with rheumatic diseases and ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout their journey.
Victoria Molnar, Registered Social Worker | Glenrose Rehabilitation (Stollery Children’s Hospital), Edmonton, AB
Victoria has been working with a multi-disciplinary team in Pediatric Rheumatology, Brain Injury and SROP clinic at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, AB for 8 years. She has supported families as a Social worker for 19 yrs with Alberta Health Services.
Victoria is a mom of 2 girls and serves in many volunteer positions to better lives in her community. She has a heart for helping grieving families and on mission to advocate for connections to help support them.
