Posts from ‘Families & Caregiver’

Lisa Shamai – Leader turns Member

Posted on June 5th, 2014 | 12 Comments

            Leader turns Member By: Lisa Shamai I have thoroughly enjoyed my years of leading healthy cooking sessions for people with cancer at the Sunnybrook, Brampton and Oakville Wellspring locations. But when I received a diagnosis of AML Leukemia in March this year, my oncologist jokingly said “there goes your… [Read More]

Ethel and Vanessa

Posted on May 2nd, 2014 | 0 Comments

              Despite having a family history of cancer, it still came as a shock when Ethel and her daughter Vanessa were both diagnosed with breast cancer. “It is so difficult having your daughter go through what you went through and knowing what she was in for,” says Ethel. “But… [Read More]

Joan and Caroline

Posted on May 2nd, 2014 | 1 Comment

              Joan and Caroline are often mistaken for sisters or best friends because of their strong friendship and similar positive outlook on life. But, this mother- daughter team, affectionately nicknamed “The Dynamic Duo’ by a Wellspring volunteer share much more than mothers and daughters in most families because both… [Read More]

We Care for Caregivers

Posted on April 4th, 2014 | 0 Comments

As any person with cancer knows, a cancer diagnosis also affects your family members, friends and caregivers. Oftentimes, the anxiety, worries and fears can be as overwhelming for them as they are for the patient. Wellspring understands that these stresses have the potential to change the way patients and their caregivers relate to one another,… [Read More]

Wellspring ‘Money Matters’ Financial Advice Clinic Assists Members

Posted on February 10th, 2014 | 3 Comments

“I’m on Long Term Disability and my income is only 65% of when I was working. My expenses are way beyond my monthly income. I’m having trouble meeting my mortgage payments. Should I use my RRSPs to try and get by financially? Is this a good option?What other options should I consider?” Many people with… [Read More]

Your New Job: Caregiver for Your Loved One

Posted on February 10th, 2014 | 1 Comment

“So here you are.  A caregiver.  This big, new job you just got – the one you never applied for, the one you never really wanted – is challenging, intense, and probably overwhelming.  But you can do a great deal to help your loved one get the best care possible.  And you are probably very… [Read More]

(Re)treating yourself

Posted on June 10th, 2013 | 1 Comment

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment or providing care for someone with cancer can require that you re-fill yourself with energy as you need to along this journey. Periodically, as a caregiver, I need to get away on my own; to walk in nature, write, read, and quietly introspect.  I am aware, however, that… [Read More]

Mindful Walking – Part #2

Posted on May 29th, 2013 | 0 Comments

  A more formal approach to mindful walking entails deep focus and very slow movement of the feet in coordination with the breath and within a small area of space (see Mindful Walking Part #1). An informal approach can occur as part of your daily walk and at a normal pace. To begin say with… [Read More]

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Sorrow and Delight: the Healing HeArt Children’s Art Therapy Program

Posted on September 12th, 2011 | 1 Comment

The power of imagery to promote healing has been well documented by anthropology, visual arts, psychology and science. However, children appear to have no need of documentation to appreciate the benefits of working with images when they come to Wellspring’s Healing HeArt Art Therapy Program. Rather, their instincts tell them that personal art work is… [Read More]

Managing Anxiety

Posted on September 7th, 2011 | 0 Comments

Finding a trusted confidante may be the best place to start. For those in the supportive or care giving role, bearing witness to, validating and normalizing distress can be very powerful and help to relieve anxiety and the related feelings of isolation. This may also occur more formally through organized support groups. When asked about… [Read More]

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