If you grew up in the ‘90s like me, you undoubtedly watched sitcoms featuring the Dumb Dad. From Homer Simpson and Ray Romano to Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, the Dumb Dad trope was as much a part of our generation as were chunky heels and butterfly clips. On the...
The following is a personal essay reflecting the opinions of the author. It began with an Adderall shortage in 2022. Today, prescriptions for many stimulant medications used as the first-line treatment of ADHD are consistently and frustratingly difficult to fill. So it’s unsurprising that ADHD features prominently in the majority...
By Louise Kinross Irene Simpson (photo right) recalls tiptoeing into rooms at Bloorview Children’s Hospital to place stockings at the foot of children’s beds on Christmas Eve in the 1990s. “There was one patient who believed in Santa and every time I went in, he was wide awake,” she says....
Are you struggling with gift ideas for Mother’s Day? Say no more! We’ve had an incredible rummaging around and have come up with over 75 present suggestions that the queen in your life deserves. Get inspired and treat your Mum with our super-long Mother’s Day 2024 gift ideas. These presents...
As an AuDHD woman (autistic with ADHD) who was diagnosed later in life, I know what it’s like to be discriminated against and exploited, especially in the workplace, for my differences. It was those demeaning experiences that inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. to better understand invisible disabilities in professional...
For more than 10 years, I ran trail ultramarathons of 35 to 100 miles. I was decent at it, and I loved running those distances. But I’ll tell it straight: Long runs are hard, even if you’re trained for them. Distance runners anticipate difficulties and know to support themselves in...
Key takeaways for caregivers Preschool lays a foundation for elementary school students to succeed. In the United States, as children approach kindergarten entry, it is increasingly common for 4-year-olds to be in non-parental group care and education, often in a center- or school-based setting where they can learn alongside peers....
By Louise Kinross In Canada, children with cerebral palsy are usually diagnosed before they’re 18 months old. In Ethiopia, the average age is five-and-a-half years—missing a critical window for therapy that can improve a child’s life. Dr. Selamenesh Tsige (above), a former pediatrician at Addis Ababa University hospital, knew this...
It’s almost that time of the year again. I understand the rollercoaster of emotions that Mother’s Day can bring. It’s a day filled with mixed feelings, from pride and joy in our role as mothers to moments of longing and loneliness. It’s a day when we not only celebrate being...
Mother’s Day is a time to honour and celebrate the incredible love and dedication of mothers everywhere. Being a single mum, I know that there are times when we have to spend this special day alone. But that is no reason to slump on the sofa all day and wallow...
By Louise Kinross Shiny Misfits is a children’s book about standing out. It’s written by American comedian Maysoon Zayid (above) and illustrated by Colombian Shadia Amin. The protagonist is 10-year-old Bay Ann, a Muslim girl with a disability who is passionate about tap dancing. She craves the spotlight and dreams of going...
Making friends during adolescence is akin to navigating a labyrinth filled with twists, turns — and the potential for profound connections. For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the journey toward friendship often presents its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. Individuals with ASD possess intelligence, compassion, and a...
By Louise Kinross During COVID, Gunjan Seth (photo right) became very sick and realized she had to find some respite from caring for her son Ajay (left), now 16, who has autism. Respite care gives parents a short break from the emotional and physical demands of caring for a child...
It was the first time the card table was used for its stated purpose. In our excitement playing cards, we got too noisy and woke up the toddler. There was laughter and arguing. There was winning and losing. I’d like to say my son, Ocean, was a gracious winner. I’d...
Everything changes after a breakup: plans for the future, your daily schedule, and even your sleeping position. A serious breakup can even distort your sense of self and lead to losing the desire to date anyone new. But you should understand that these feelings of disappointment and loneliness will go...
This article about cheap, unusual, life-changing gifts was last updated in 2024. Ok, so you have a friend or family member, and you want to give them something really special for a birthday, a thank you, or whatever. But you are completely stuck as to what to buy for them....
Single mum life is a mixed experience. Like everything else, it is what you make it. Whether you are rocking this single mum gig or still getting used to a life you didn’t expect, focusing on the good is the way forward. For many women, they wouldn’t have life any...
This article about low-budget meals was last updated in 2024. It doesn’t matter how much you struggle with money; you still have to feed your family. But, when funds are low, it can be a real challenge. You need to keep the costs down while still producing something yummy and...
This article about easy ways to diet for the time-poor mum was last updated in 2024. With the amount of weight loss options and ideas available today, dieting can be complex. It can also be time-consuming, which is the reason why many mums find it hard to succeed. They simply...
By Louise Kinross Samuel Habib is a 24-year-old New Hampshire college student who wants to date. He drives a 350-pound wheelchair and has laboured speech, so dictating what he wants to say to someone who types it into his voice device is painstaking. “I want to figure out how to...