Ensemble

04/03/2026

This July marks 27 years since I stepped onto the never-ending emotional roller coaster of special needs parenting. One thing I’ve learned along the way is to never get too comfortable .. just when things feel steady, something always seems to come along and derail it.

I feel this mama’s words deeply. Over the past five years, the weight of more than two decades of stress has really caught up with me, and it’s been a genuine struggle finding my way back to feeling healthy again.

As parents, as caregivers, as advocates, I think we can all relate to her words in some way.

Happy Saturday .. wishing you a moment of peace .. in whatever form that might be for you. ❤️

Diane, Ensemble Committee Member

04/03/2026

04/02/2026

THINK SPRING

The month of April is more than the beginning of Passover on April 1st, Good Friday on April 3rd, Easter Sunday on April 5th, and National Volunteer Week from April 19-25.

Have you heard about Jane’s Walk Festival 2026? To honour the legacy of urban activist Jane Jacobs, there are activities around the globe during the months of April and May. Jane tirelessly advocated for communities that were walkable and inviting—communities that focused on exploration and connection.

From April 23-26, 2026, Essex County is joining in the celebrations. All events are FREE, and early registration is a MUST:

Click below to see the full schedule and register.

https://www.windsorjaneswalk.ca/2026

The Kingsville/Leamington area is renowned for its produce. During the winter months, much of it comes from greenhouses. This area has the highest concentration of greenhouses in North America. Have you wondered where many of the families who proudly call this area “home” came from? This is your chance to connect with these valued residents.

THINK SPRING!

You’ve made it out to the county, where roadside stands are already putting out greenhouse veggies: tomatoes, mini cukes, and sweet peppers. How about some spring recipes, compliments of The Old Farmer’s Almanac?

Click below to see recipes:

https://www.almanac.com/topics/cooking-recipes/seasonal-recipes

April promises to be a time to get outdoors while connecting with family, friends, and community. This is a time of renewal. Make a promise to yourself—promise to seek new opportunities for everyone in your family that will bring about new connections with the potential to open eyes, hearts, and minds. These connections can provide your family member with intellectual disabilities a brighter future filled with forward movement.

HAPPY APRIL AND SPRING!

Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and Advisory Committee

04/01/2026

Whether you’re looking to learn, connect, or share- there’s a space for you.

Check out our upcoming caregiver support groups & sessions.

👉 https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/calendar

Or call our Support Line: 1-877-520-3267

03/31/2026

Hey, did you know that language matters?

Using Inclusive language can be helpful for people to feel welcome.

People with or without disabilities deserve to feel respected and valued.

Instead of "disabled person", you can try "person with a disability".

Instead of "she's wheelchair bound", you can try "she uses a wheelchair".

Language frames how we see and interact with others. Words are powerful.

Person First Language- identifies the person before their disability or diagnosis.
(ex: he is a person with autism).

Identity-First Language- places the condition or disability before the person. (She is a disabled person).

Inclusion begins with the words we use. How often do you think of the words you use in everyday conversation?

03/31/2026

03/29/2026

: our children don’t have to wonder.

He doesn’t have to wonder.

He doesn’t have to wonder if the world will meet him gently,
or if someone will understand what he can’t say.

He doesn’t have to wonder who will step in when things get too big,
or who will stay when it all falls apart.

He doesn’t have to wonder if someone will notice the small shifts,
the ones that come before everything unravels.

He doesn’t have to wonder who will fight for him in rooms he’s not in,
or who will keep pushing when the answers don’t come easy.

He doesn’t have to wonder if he’s too much.

He doesn’t have to wonder if he belongs here,
exactly as he is.

He doesn’t have to wonder if someone is keeping track of it all,
holding the pieces together,
carrying what he can’t.

He doesn’t have to wonder.
Because I do.

I wonder enough for both of us.

I hold the questions,
the planning,
the second-guessing,
the constant adjusting.

I carry the weight of what-ifs
so he can live in what is.

And maybe he’ll never see that.
Maybe he’s not meant to.

Because what he does know,
what I’ve made sure of,
is steady and simple and certain -

He is safe.

He is understood, even when the world doesn’t get it right.

He is allowed to take up space without earning it.

He is held, without question, without condition.

And I will keep standing in that place for him,
quietly,
consistently,
and without needing to be seen doing it.

Because this is part of it too.

Not just the carrying,
but the removing.

The things he’ll never have to hold
because I already am.

- Christine | Special Soul Mama

03/27/2026

Join Housing Navigators, along with experts in housing and community supports, for the 4th Housing Strategy Forum! 💡

This event, “Pathways to Home: From Barriers to Belonging” will highlight creative initiatives and practical strategies that are increasing inclusive housing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

📅 Tuesday, May 12, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Register today👉 https://bit.ly/2026-Housing-Forum

03/27/2026

Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO) Stephanie Cadieux recently released her third report to the minister responsible for the Accessible Canada Act. This report covers overall progress under the ACA, with special emphasis on transportation.

In preparing this report, the CAO asked several people with disabilities to share their lived experiences, to help convey the human toll of a lack of accessible transportation. Here’s what The Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, Senator, Independent Senators Group, shared:

“People with disabilities want to be active. They want it to be easy. They don’t want to be spending hours and days booking transport. They want to be able to be spontaneous, to pick up the phone and if someone says let’s go for a coffee, well, they don’t have to plan it for three days ahead. They can just say yes, of course I have time, let’s go. Everyone has a role to play, but we must always ensure that people with disabilities are at the center of decisions and at the heart of the work.”

– The Honourable Chantal Petitclerc, Senator, Independent Senators Group

It’s time for action on accessible transportation, so everyone can get where they need and want to go.

To learn what others had to say, and to access the report in full, visit the following link, where it is available in a variety of formats: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/office-chief-accessibility-officer/reports/annual-2025.html

Alt text: A dark grey graphic featuring the cover page of the Chief Accessibility Officer’s 2025 report with text reading the quote in the body of the post text. The Canada wordmark appears at the bottom right.

03/26/2026

CHANGE IS ON ITS WAY

The weather is finally starting to change as the month of March winds down. Spring sounds and sights are everywhere. Birds are busily returning after their winters down south. Their loud chirps fill the air. Spring peepers—tree frogs that inhabit Essex County wetlands and ponds—can be heard making their high-pitched, piercing "peep" calls. Perennial plants that were dormant over the winter can be seen poking through the warming earth now that snow and ice have finally disappeared.

Just as we have waited for winter to shed all its cold-weather layers, we humans may be looking at shedding some of our "winter baggage"—you get the picture.

As the warmer weather arrives, we will put away heavy, protective winter clothing. Time to get out clothing that makes outdoor activities more inviting. Short-sleeve tops, lightweight bottoms, and airier footwear will make active living possible.

Now that you're anticipating being active outdoors, you need to make sure that you include healthy food choices to supply your body with much-needed energy. Healthy eating, fresh air, and sunshine will give you a great start to enjoy the arrival of spring.

Hot, heavy, nourishing winter meals and beverages will now be replaced by cool, lighter foods and beverages that say, "warm weather." Let's get moving!

Why not welcome spring with a closer look at what a healthy diet can contribute to "a new YOU"?

There's no need to deprive yourself of your favourite foods and beverages. All you need to do is—THINK before you eat or drink!! Enjoy all your favourites! Just remember to NOT overdo anything!

You'll feel nourished, hydrated, and satisfied. Now it's time to see what's happening outside in Essex County.

Congratulations! You're on your way to a changing season and a potentially changed YOU!

Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and Advisory Committee

03/19/2026

Spring in the County

March Break is almost over for another year. So many weather changes .. warm, cold, rain, snow! What to wear? Where to go?

All of these changes wreak havoc on our health. One of the busiest destinations is our local walk-in clinic. They are centres for aches, coughs, and sniffles. Fortunately, most of these seasonal ailments are viruses. Meds won’t work and aren’t needed. We just have to wait patiently, knowing that with each new day our symptoms will slowly improve and eventually we’ll be healthy once again.

In the interim, here’s a useful article to help you sleep with a stuffy nose.

Now that you’re back to being yourself, there are Essex County activities to help you .. as the unpaid caregiver .. and your family member welcome and enjoy spring!

Spring in Essex County promises to bring families together at numerous inclusive family destinations.
Enjoy!

Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and Advisory Committee

03/14/2026

There’s something we, as parents of non‑speaking kids with high support needs, don’t do enough of. We don’t give ourselves credit for knowing.

Knowing our kids. Knowing when something isn’t right. Knowing when they’re not themselves.

And knowing isn’t always obvious. It’s in the small shifts, the subtle signals most people miss, the quiet changes in behaviour or body language that speak louder than words.

This knowledge isn’t flashy, it isn’t measurable. But it’s lived. It’s real. It saves lives and keeps our kids safe.

Outside our homes, people might question us, doubt us, second‑guess us. But inside, in the spaces where we know our child better than anyone else, we are the experts. And that matters more than anything.

We know our kids.

x Christine | Special Soul Mama