What makes Family Day a life-changing experience for kids and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases?
Here are the top 7 reasons people attend Cassie and Friends’ Family Day year after year:
- Knowing you are not alone. There is simply nothing like connecting and sharing with others who understand your unique experiences and challenges. Whether you’re a kid, teenager, young adult, sibling, parent, grandparent or other caregiver – you will meet people who really get what you’re facing and how you feel.
- Gaining strength with knowledge. You will learn more in one day than you ever imagined. From educational sessions led by experts to the tips and tricks you’ll pick up from other families, there is always something new to help in your journey. Past sessions have included: Nutrition, Anxiety and Depression, JIA 101, Medication Decisions, Uveitis, School Solution, Autoinflammatory Group/Research and Sleep Issues.
- Being able to attend as a family. “Too often, our daughter is left at home worrying about her brother when we go for medical appointments,” says one parent who attended our last event. “Being able to be a family for Family Day is a great relief to us.”
- The chance to ask questions outside of clinic. There’s not always enough time to address all of your questions/worries in the doctor’s office. Family Day offers the chance to talk with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in a relaxed setting.
- The chance to make friends you can lean on in good times and bad. Many parents find relief and comfort in staying in touch and even texting during rough times. And kids and teens agree: “School friends can’t always understand, but my C+F friends get me.”
- Finding HOPE. Hearing from our panel of young adults is a highlight of the day. You will see that your child and family will not only survive your diagnosis, but enjoy a rich and fulfilling life even with the challenges of rheumatic disease.
- So much FUN! Family Day is as much as for the kids as the parents. While you attend workshops about treatments, research and other challenges, your kids and teens will be having fun with their siblings and new friends. Activities for this year may include rock climbing, laser tag, crafts, social time and more. Teens will also get the chance to hear from and ask questions of young adults with rheumatic diseases on topics like school, work, relationships and risky behaviours.
To find out when our next Family Day is near you, please visit: https://cassieandfriends.ca/programs/family-day/
