"It's the regular people who have overcome major challenges & bounced back that inspire me. The stories of resilience that I profile are amazing & I'm so happy to be introducing the people behind them to you." Janet Fanaki, Creator of RESILIENT PEOPLE
STORIES OF RESILIENCE
Her son's death prompted Melissa Sheldrick to become a patient safety advocate
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Melissa Sheldrick's son Andrew was a busy, kind and lovable 8 year old boy. He enjoyed playing, family holidays and making-up fun words for food.
Andrew also had a condition which made it difficult for him to get a good night's sleep. Called Parasomnia, it caused him to scream and cry during the night, as well as have outbursts during the day.
He was taking a medication called Tryptophan which gave him and his family relief, until one night when he took it and did not wake up in the morning.
This painful time in Melissa's life will always be with her, as will the fond memories of her beloved boy.
Melissa found a way to turn the nightmare of losing Andrew into something to help others. She became a patient safety advocate and helped establish a system for recording pharmacy errors in Canada and is working towards doing it worldwide.
Andrew also had a condition which made it difficult for him to get a good night's sleep. Called Parasomnia, it caused him to scream and cry during the night, as well as have outbursts during the day.
He was taking a medication called Tryptophan which gave him and his family relief, until one night when he took it and did not wake up in the morning.
This painful time in Melissa's life will always be with her, as will the fond memories of her beloved boy.
Melissa found a way to turn the nightmare of losing Andrew into something to help others. She became a patient safety advocate and helped establish a system for recording pharmacy errors in Canada and is working towards doing it worldwide.
Guest writer Nigel Adams gives glimpse into Indigenous men's challenges
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Nigel 'Awesome' Adams lives in northern Quebec in a tiny village called, Kangiqsujuaq. His life was incredibly traumatic growing up, surrounded by violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and suicide. At one point, Nigel himself thought that he would end his life too. Through a positive mentor he was able to turn his life around. He is now giving a voice to his people by talking openly about the challenges that Indigenous people face in Canada's northern communities. Nigel contributed a short essay for RESILIENT PEOPLE on his experience and how he hopes to make a change in northern communities. |
"Do it now" says woman dying of cancer
Dawn Custode passed away of colon cancer in May 2019. I had the opportunity to interview her in late April as she was living out her last days to the fullest.
Since her diagnosis over two and a half years ago, she faced the disease with one idea in mind, "Do It Now". It's the same message that she stressed to others. Here is a transcript of our telephone interview, along with the recording. |
The story of building a business from two female entrepreneurs
Kristy Wieber and Lisa Owen are the co-owners of Rent frock Repeat. In 2010, they revolutionized the way women dressed for formal occasions with an online rental business and two bustling showrooms in Toronto and Ottawa.
Now the pair is starting a new venture, a monthly subscription service for day-to-day wear, which promises to make our closets more exciting and lessen the fashion footprint. Kristy and Lisa spoke with me about resilience in running a business. |
Shahzad left Afghanistan to start a new life in Canada with his wife and children. He says that life was much easier there than here.
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Did you hear the one about Jennifer Hsiung? She is a mother to three young boys who slips away in the night to work on her comedy routine.
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Luciana is a New York City maid. She admits that not every guest is friendly to her but that doesn't stop her from delivering service with a smile.
CHICHILIFENYC'S LAUREN CHIARELLO ON BEATING CANCER AND BECOMING A FITNESS ENTHUSIAST
photo courtesy The Confetti Project
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Elizabeth Verwey went from being married to middle aged and divorced. She has learned to embrace her new status and aging by setting different goals and challenging herself.
Lucinda Grange is an adventure photographer living in New York City. She feels that climbing bridges, buildings and structures gives her a unique perspective on life.
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John Yates is a Toronto lawyer who has learned to dance through life's ups and downs. He stood watching as his home burned down and he walked away without missing a beat.
Margaret Ng and her father both had brain tumours. She has made it her mission to educate people on how nutrition and lifestyle can help to heal the body.
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Margaret Harvey was riding her bike in downtown Toronto when she was struck and run over by a garbage truck. She established Canada's first Trauma Support Network to help other victims of injury.
Sultan is a cabbie working in Ottawa who left his wife and children in Dubai to provide a better life for them.
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Martha Henderson competed on the Canadian women's sailing team and shares her lessons on taking risks.
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The Happy Soul Project connects families with Down Syndrome worldwide.
Elly Gotz shares life lessons learned from the Holocaust
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Having stomach cancer in her 20s lead Lina Miranda to a healthier purpose as a fitness instructor
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Susan Mintz became an activist following her husband's death from AIDS
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Depression led Emmanuel Lopez to be Motivatorman
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Anti-gun demonstration March For Our Lives (Toronto)
Jason Fiorotto lost his wife to breast cancer but fulfilled her wish to bring comfort to other patients
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Mona Lam-Deslippe lost her son in a brutal murder. Now she raises awareness and funds in his name
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Alana Salsberg reflects on the highs and lows of motherhood
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Britney Colussi created the LivingstrongMD campaign in her cousin's name to raise money for sick children
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Aman left her close family in India to start a new alone in Canada
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Anastasia Belbas is over 104 years old and shares her reflections on a life well lived
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Alexandra Samuels starting blogging on being deaf so the world could hear her
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Jana Girdauskas fought to start The Period Purse to bring menstrual products to homeless
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Niam Jain is a Toronto teen with autism and a world-renowned artist
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This 9/11 wife has learned that giving back helps to heal
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Her divorce pushed her to empower women through divorce coaching
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Losing his family at sea and turning around to help other refugees
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Welcome to RESILIENT PEOPLE
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ORT schools provided STEM education to Jewish students
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