Emma

Emma is the mother of Aislynn and Tait who were both born with a rare degenerative neurological condition. Aislynn is now 19. Tait died peacefully, at 15 years of age, in November, 2019. They live in Ottawa, Ontario.

Videos

 
How my understanding of pediatric palliative care shifted
 
My son Tait taught me so much in his short life
 
My extended family's grief
 
Pediatric palliative care supported my grief
 
Tait planned two celebrations of his life--one for before he died and one for after he died
 
Being referred to pediatric palliative care
 
My grief built up throughout my children's lives
 
Helping Aislinn grieve her brother's death
 
I've learned that I don't have any control over grief
 
We show Aislinn that it's okay and important to express feelings
 
When you learn to live with grief, love comes flooding back
 
Tears travel
 
It's wonderful when friends share memories and photos
 
How Tait will live on
 
How we helped Tait with his worries about dying
 
Talking about the really hard questions
 
It gave Tait great comfort to be involved in his care planning
 
What pediatric palliative care hospice has done for our family
 
Grief and isolation during COVID
 
I needed to slow down and learn from my kids
 
My kids really thrived in a community of their peers where people understood their differences
 
Balancing safety with Aislinn's need to live her best life during COVID
 
How hope changes over time