Advocacy: a Caregiver Workshop

THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY LANSDOWNE CHILDREN'S CENTRE AND THE LANSDOWNE LINK FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK.

BE THE VOICE YOUR CHILD NEEDS. Learn about communication strategies and how to advocate for your child's needs in different settings with Brenda Agnew - Parent and Family Advocate,  and Sarah Pot - Parent and Educator.

This event is approximately 2 hours, Saturday morning, February 25th at the Salvation Army Brantford Community Church - 33 Diana Ave, Brantord - Starting at 10am.  Registration is required. Limited tickets available.

If you require childcare during the event please contact Renee Cochrane by email at rcochrane@lansdownecc.com 

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

Brenda Agnew, Parent and Family Advocate:

Brenda is the proud mother of two boys, Chase and Maclain and my younger son Maclain has severe Cerebral Palsy and profound hearing loss as a result of a condition known as Kernicterus, a brain injury that results from untreated jaundice. Since Maclain was diagnosed, she has tried to be tireless in advocating for better systems and programs for children with special needs. There is much personal empowerment in having the ability to provide substantial input on how policies, programs, and priorities are created and communicated, and how we incorporate and engage families. She feels honoured to have great opportunities to create, foster, and grow relationships with professionals, fellow parents, and caregivers.

She is an active member of volunteer organizations such as CP-Net, CHILD-BRIGHT Citizen Engagement Committee, PONDA, the AACPDM.

In addition to her role as a manager of community partnerships with Gluckstein Lawyers, she is also a school board trustee with the HCDSB where she is also the Chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Sara Pot, Parent and Educator

Sara is a parent, writer and educator, but her energy is first devoted to her family. Though she celebrates all four of her children's unique gifts and abilities, she is often challenged by the complex care needs of their two youngest, Rachel and Janneke. These challenges have fed a passionate interest in child development, family engagement, inclusive education, and related opportunities for knowledge sharing through presentation and writing. Sara works in both the private and public sector, as a content creator and instructor for CanChild (research centre for childhood disability based in McMaster Uni, a Communities of Belonging Liaison for Edvance Christian Schools, and writes a monthly column that reflects on the intersection of faith and disability. She is thankful for opportunities to speak to the incredible gift and challenge of caregiving and disability. Sara is honoured to sit on the Board of Directors for Empowered Kids Ontario and offer parent insight to PONDA (paediatricians network).