Kids Help Phone is a completely confidential professional counseling service helping kids in your community and across the country 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Vulnerable kids from the ages of 5 to 20 reach out to Kids Help Phone for all kinds of reasons, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, depression and thoughts of suicide, eating disorders, self-harm and bullying. Every day, Kids Help Phone counselors answer calls, online questions and most recently live chat requests from all across Canada. No matter what the problem or concern our counselors are there to provide immediate and caring support, information and referrals to the kids who reach out to us.

In early May, The Walk so Kids Can Talk event took place in 50 communities across the country, raising $2.5 million! Great going Canada!

Walk so Kids Can Talk is Canada’s largest fundraising campaign to improve the mental well-being of the young people in Canada. It is organized on behalf of the 6.5 million young people in Canada to ensure they can continue finding immediate, non-judgemental, anonymous and professional support, and expert-vetted information on a wide range of issues that are affecting the quality of their life. 100% of the funds raised by Walk participants help young people who are dealing with mental or emotional distress cope with these overwhelming emotions by ensuring they will continue to have access to Kids Help Phone’s professional counsellors 24 hours a day. All funds raised by the Walk go to support Kids Help Phone’s essential service.

Today’s reality is that the demand for our service is greater than our ability to meet it. In 2011, calls to Kids Help Phone have increased significantly, and online posts have seen an upsurge; sadly children, teens and young adults are being placed on hold and waiting longer to receive the help they seek and our online professional counselling site (Ask Us Online) closes during some days of the months to kids posting their issues.

Kids Help Phone must raise 100% of the necessary funds to cover the costs of delivering day and night professional youth counselling service, 365 days a year.

New launch of real time live chat counselling pilot:

Live Chat counselling lets young people participate in real-time Instant Messaging-type exchanges, with a Kids Help Phone professional counsellor, through either a smartphone or computer. Over the past 3 years, Kids Help Phone received a growing number of requests for immediate, live online counselling from young people. Kids are really excited about the service because it’s easier in many instances for kids to contact Kids Help Phone online rather than through the phone, users with limited privacy report feeling more secure chatting online rather than on the phone, users receive help in real-time during online chat as opposed to the wait for responses through Ask Us Online. Providing Live Chat counselling to youth across Canada will cost an estimated $7.5 million over the next 3 years so support is greatly needed.

As you can see there is a lot of support being provided to kids across our country who need help. Kids Help Phone has been visionary in its approach to finding ways to connect and provide the counselling necessary. I urge you to learn more about this great cause and next time when you think about a charity to give to…think Kids Help Phone.

Through your donation you may be helping to positively change the course of one child’s life.

First let me say, that even getting to this event is a challenge. After accepting the invitation from Variety to attend, many people became involved. It is not as easy as “let’s pack up and go.” Her school creatively designed a cheque banner with the amount displayed. Husband took time off work, (which they can ill afford) to drive them to the show, neighbours agreed to look after their dog, Grandma opened up her home for all to gather the night before, my sister organized everything Callie would need to be away from home and ready for her moment in the spotlight. It was disappointing to see that after all that preparation the moment was brief for all the kids and their parents who participated in coin drives. (camera didn’t even capture all of them, including my sister) However, a flash of our beautiful girl was seen, it was an experience to remember and hopefully viewers were moved to donate. If these children can do it anyone can!

The importance of children’s charities in our society is huge. Many families struggle to provide all the necessary care that comes with special needs children. Even if you are fortunate to have a child that does not require specialized support, you still are aware of how much it takes to raise a child. Imagine for a moment all that you do currently for your children. Now, compound that by round the clock care, multiple hospital visits, purchasing adaptive equipment, adjusting your home for adaptive equipment, therapy costs and travel expenses to get to appointments. You familiarize and educate yourself about all that care, plus medications, interview various practitioners, participate in all school meetings related to your child’s education, document everything and become an advocate on your child’s behalf. Countless hours are spent on immediate needs and considering future requirements as they move toward adulthood.

I have seen first hand what my sister has to do everyday since her precious daughter was born. There is little time for herself; all waking hours are spent wrapped up in Callie’s world. So many things that my sister and her husband dreamed for their life and for the life of their child was replaced with a new reality. There is no miraculous cures, only small victories. All of us wade into this unknown with hope, frustration, energy, helplessness, joy, confusion, tears and smiles. There isn’t one person who is close to parents of children with special needs that doesn’t become affected in some way or another.

When these children come into the world it really does take a village to raise them. So, I encourage you to see what you can do to support. Do you know a mother or a family in your community who has a child with special needs? I would ask that you make an honest effort to reach out to that family through friendship. It can be a very lonely road, especially for mothers. They wanted the same things for their child that you want for yours. Challenge yourself to find ways to get to know these neighbours, try to find a way to make life easier, share your skills or just engage in conversation. They are busy, often running on low sleep and high expectations but if you can be there when these parents need help, have your children be a part of their child’s celebrations or even just call to say “Hi”,you are giving a most valuable gift. 

Callie has made her contribution back to one organization that gives so deeply and she, through her mothers vision, continues to find a way to connect with her community. Hopefully this post will help inspire others to do the same in what ever form that takes.

(Check out my blogroll and to Rhonda’s blog Lets Be Wheelistic)

Amidst the bundles of donations arriving every minute was the signing of an adoption of a dog named “Jersey.”. A man had come in and decided that this was the dog for him, with paperwork and leash in hand he left as a new pet  parent. Jersey had half a look of uncertainty and half a look of happiness with a wagging tail. Let’s hope their partnership is a loving and long one.

Meanwhile, a little Chihuahua who had been found was being cuddled by the front desk clerk. Too scared and shivery to be left in the kennel he was nestled in the jacket of the staff member. This temporary home was just right until they find his parent which might come sooner than later as a missing dog report possibly matches his description.

When I checked the dog kennels, which were too loud for my Mum to go into, it was hard to see them there. They were distressed, sad and in a cold environment that well-meaning people try to keep to standard of cleanliness. However, nothing can replace the need for a real home and connection with family. It is helpful to remember that during this season of giving this is one charity that could use our help but it is also the time when people may decide to buy a dog, cat or other companion.

As always lets all try to be realistic before adopting or buying.

* They need a forever home – if you aren’t in it for the long haul than don’t buy.

* Always spay and neuter your pet. If you don’t believe that it is important then go down to your city pound and stare into the eyes of hundreds of abandoned or abused animals. We don’t need anymore casualties of human stupidity.

* Just like there are special needs children there are also special needs pets. If you can’t afford hypo-allergenic food, should allergies arise, or specialized treatment for injury or disease then don’t buy or adopt a pet. These things do come up and as a former pet parent of a dog with allergies I was willing to set aside my dollars for her care.

* Pets need training and some need more than others. If your time will not be allocated to basic socialization and training then say “No” to pet ownership. What makes a happy family and pet is the ability to instill rules and training that make sense. Spoiling or yelling at your pet is not a long term solution to behaviour problems. Be responsible.

* If you are a family on the go and are not there most of the day – perhaps a dog is not for you. They are pack oriented and leaving them alone for hours is not in their best interest. They must have stimulation, fun, attention and they can’t get that if you leave them in your backyard, a crate or house all day.You come home beat from your day and they are a bundle of energy waiting to play. Not the best situation. However, if  you can afford a dog walker, sitter or daycare then maybe this is workable but that is dependent on your pet’s personality.

* If you have children assess their maturity to handle a new pet and make them responsible too. I once worked in a clinic in which a poor puppy came in twice for broken legs because the boy was too rough with the dog. Finally, matters had to be taken into hand in order to protect the puppy. This is not an ideal situation.

* Medication costs! In that same clinic I witnessed people talking on cell phones outside while smoking a cigarette after complaining about the cost of medication they were prescribed for their dog. Priority needs to be set with this new life that is in your care. If you can afford to smoke and find other pleasurable activities then it should be said you can afford to help out a living, breathing soul dependent on your kindness and compassion.

Right now there are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals needing homes. When will it be that people can fully see the value of finding these ones homes before breeding new ones? It doesn’t matter what breed you may want somebody has a rescue shelter somewhere that can help you be matched up with your companion. Please consider donating to your local rescue society, giving of your time or adopting responsibly.

This site was originally conceived with a very special agenda to feature women of influence, charities and foundations along with my own life reflections. Today, I honor one woman, Betty Fox, who led a life of service to not only her family, her community but indeed our country. She did this to carry on the legacy of her son Terry who courageously battled cancer and ran over 5000 km to raise money for cancer research. When he lost his life at the age of 22, Canada mourned but like a phoenix rising from the ashes Betty and the Fox family found a way to turn that loss into hope.

I was a teenager when Terry left us but he was a legend in many a kids eye. Growing up in Coquitlam BC it was cool to see Terry Fox Secondary become part of our school district. It was due to the tireless efforts of Terry’s mum and family that an entire foundation was formed and year after year people ran, served and donated in Terry’s honor.

It was not of her choosing that Betty Fox became a participant in all of this, as having her child alive and well would have been her first wish. However, the plans for both her son’s life and hers changed. Sometimes we don’t know what our full potential is until we are forced to find it. To dig deep and spread the seeds of our humanity, compassion, wisdom and service to others as she did so mightily. This my friends was a life lived – another great woman of influence – who through her love for her son continued the journey he could not.

Thank you Betty for your service to us all. For demonstrating what love of family, friends and community is all about. For leaving behind a foundation that will continue where you left off and know that we are eternally grateful for the time you had to spend with us. Sending heart-felt condolences to the family.

Please go to my charities page for a link to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Featuring Canuck Place Children’s Hospice which does such amazing work to support children with life threatening illness and their families. Also featuring Diane Swonk a woman who has not let her disability stop her from achieving monumental goals in the financial world as an Economist.

Go to the tabs above and follow the links to learn more.