Find Community + Peer Connection
Connect with others who understand your journey
Living with a rheumatic disease can feel isolating — for both children and families. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can make a meaningful difference.
Cassie + Friends offers opportunities to connect with peers, families, and community members across Canada. These connections help build confidence, reduce isolation, and create a strong sense of belonging.
Why Community is Important
When families and young people connect with others who understand their experience, it helps normalize what they’re going through. It creates space to share, learn, and feel supported.
For many, community becomes a key part of navigating life with rheumatic disease — offering both emotional support and practical insight.
Ways to connect
Parent Support
Network
Youth
Programs
Events & Community Gatherings
Online Community
+ Resources
Support Us
Peer Connection for Youth
For young people, connecting with peers who understand what it’s like to live with a rheumatic condition can be incredibly powerful. These connections create a sense of belonging and help normalize experiences that might otherwise feel isolating or hard to explain. Being around others who “get it” can make it easier for youth to open up, ask questions, and feel more confident in who they are.
These connections help youth:
- Feel less alone
- Build confidence
- Share experiences in a safe environment
- Develop friendships with others who understand their journey
Over time, these relationships can play an important role in helping young people feel supported, understood, and empowered as they navigate life with their condition.
“Meeting other kids who understood what I was going through made a huge difference. I didn’t feel alone anymore.”— Youth Participant
Building a National Community
Cassie + Friends connects families, youth, healthcare providers, and supporters across the country. Through programs, events, and online spaces, we’re building a national community that supports children living with rheumatic disease.