Helping Parents And Caregivers Prioritize Mental Health (Video) – Healthcare

This past week, Gluckstein Lawyers proudly hosted Parenting on a
Different Path, a virtual CPD-accredited event created to support
parents and caregivers of children with medical complexities and
neurodiverse needs. Designed as a platform to foster connection,
share practical strategies, and empower families, the event brought
together an inspiring panel of experts and an engaged audience.

The central theme? Supporting parents as they balance the
complexities of caregiving with their own mental health.
Discussions revolved around building resilience, prioritizing
self-care, and ensuring families are not just surviving-but
thriving.

Here’s a closer look at the highlights, insights, and
takeaways from this meaningful event.

Creating a Space for Support and Empathy.

At Gluckstein Lawyers, many of our clients are parents
navigating the challenges of raising children with birth injuries,
developmental disabilities, or neurodiverse needs. Time after time,
we’ve been deeply moved by their strength and resilience in the
face of adversity.

Hosting Parenting on a Different Path was our way of giving back
to this incredible community. Senior Associate Jan Marin opened the
event, sharing a heartfelt acknowledgment of how families
demonstrate resilience and strength every day. Jan emphasized that
Gluckstein Lawyers’ commitment goes beyond legal
services-we’re passionate about supporting families in their
broader journeys toward mental wellness and caregiving balance.

Insights from Esteemed Speakers.

The event featured an incredible lineup of speakers, each with
personal and professional expertise in supporting families of
children with diverse needs. Here’s what they shared:

Fabiana Bacchini

Fabiana, a parent of a child with cerebral palsy and a
passionate advocate for families, delivered an inspiring talk about
the power of community in navigating the caregiving journey.

She reminded attendees that connection is key to thriving
through challenges and emphasized the importance of reaching out
for support. Her lived experience and heartfelt advice left
participants feeling encouraged and less alone.

Lesley Donaldson

Parenting coach and Registered Nurse Lesley Donaldson provided
honest and relatable insights about the emotional highs and lows of
raising a child with special needs.

Using storytelling to connect with attendees, she shared
practical strategies to cope with stress, reminding parents that
it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Her guidance was both
reassuring and actionable, helping parents find clarity in their
caregiving roles.

Jennifer Nunes

Jennifer, a Registered Social Worker, spoke about prioritizing
self-care and reducing caregiver stress. She explained that
caregivers must set time aside for their own mental well-being to
effectively support their families. Attendees appreciated her
practical advice on maintaining a balance between caregiving and
personal wellness.

Kate Robson

Psychotherapist and family support specialist Kate Robson
brought her expertise in fostering attachment and creating
emotion-friendly environments. She introduced concepts like
trauma-informed care and guided parents in building deeper
connections with their children. Her calming approach offered tools
for improving communication and strengthening family bonds.

Focusing on Resilience and Community.

The biggest takeaway from the event was the unparalleled value
of hearing directly from parents with lived experience in
navigating the challenges of caregiving. These parents shared not
only the personal journeys they have faced but also the expertise
they have gained as trained professionals in the field. Their
unique perspectives provided attendees with both practical
strategies and compassionate insights on how to approach this often
complex parenting experience. This combination of lived knowledge
and professional understanding created a powerful opportunity for
learning, connection, and hope for all who participated.

Continue the Conversation.

Parenting a child with diverse needs can be both incredibly
rewarding and challenging. Through connection and shared learning,
we can find strength and inspiration to tackle these challenges
together.

For those unable to attend, we’re excited to announce that
recordings of the event are now available to view. We’ve also
compiled additional resources to help parents of neurodiverse
children prioritize mental health, resilience, and well-being.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for Parenting on
a Different Path and look forward to creating more opportunities to
bring families together in the future.

View the Event Recording.

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