Henry, Ontario
I have VHL and have had 5 brain tumour and 3 kidney cancer operations from age 15-50. In 2013, I started volunteering for the VHL cause. In 2016, I started this non-profit to address a gap in Canada... I had to live, study, and work through many (medical) disruptions. For 12 years, I was a registered helping professional. Starting with a Masters of Social Work in ’99, I gained excellent clinical training and experience in my field. I provided social work and therapy services to children, youth, and families. My work was with multidisciplinary teams in Ontario-accredited mental health treatment centres and Toronto-area school boards. Eventually, I had to stop working, started Ontario disability benefits, started dialysis 21 hours per week, and now waiting for a transplant.