Breakfast Chat event explores complex health conditions in childhood
The challenges of caring for a child with a complex health condition are the focus of the second edition of the Ƶ A Breakfast Chat on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016.
The event begins at 9 a.m. at the Marshlands Inn, 55 Bridge St., Sackville. The discussion will be held in both English and French with translation available.
The free-of-charge community gathering is a forum for families, community members, care providers, and others to discuss daily issues faced when caring for children or adolescents with complex health conditions. It is an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and learn about strategies that can help in managing daily stress as well as professional care programs that can offer support.
Complex health conditions could include children with one or more chronic brain-based, behavioural, mental, physical, or genetic conditions, for example developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, psychosis, or rare genetic disorders.
The Breakfast Chat, which is funded by the Atlantic Chapter of the Royal Society of Canada, is moderated by Dr. Rima Azar, associate professor of health psychology at Ƶ Allison University.
“The Breakfast Chat provides an opportunity to talk about issues in science and health in an informal setting,” Azar says. “Caring for a child with a complex health condition can be stressful and difficult for the whole family, as well as for care providers. This forum is an opportunity to talk about those challenges with others who have similar experiences and to learn from people with extensive knowledge in this field who may be able to offer advice and support.”
Speakers include clinicians, researchers, a young adult who has dealt with complex health conditions, and a father of a child with complex health conditions. Each presenter will give a short talk about their knowledge or practice. Participants will then be invited to ask questions or share experiences.
The Breakfast Chat is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. Participants are asked to RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. to ƵABreakfastChat@gmail.com
Photo caption: Shelley Doucet, a registered nurse and the Jarislowsky Chair in Interprofessional Patient-Centred Care at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, is one of the speakers at the Ƶ A Breakfast Chat.
