“A little over three years ago, my 10-year-old son was diagnosed with Burkitt’s non-Hodgkins lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that can see a tumour double in size in a day.

We were immediately immersed in life at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and surrounded by nurses, social workers, psychologists and child life specialists. I remember standing outside my son’s room talking to another mom whose three-year-old daughter had leukemia when the child life specialist walked into the area. The little girl lit up. I could see her joy and how important it was to bring light to the darkness of the oncology ward. At that moment, I knew with every fibre of my being that I was meant to do that too – to help kids do hard things. I just had to figure out how to get there. 

As soon as my son was cancer-free and rang his bell, I was on the MacEwan website researching programs. I knew this would be different than my first time in university when I earned an accounting diploma. I was 41 years old, I had four children and my marriage was ending. 

In the first year of the Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program, we focus on dealing with our baggage and traumas so we can help others. The past three years have been a challenging, soul-searching and healing journey. 

It has also been expensive. My accounting background makes me very financially aware. Being a full-time student and a single mom to four teenagers comes with a lot of logistics – and expenses. Having financial support in the form of bursaries and grants feels like putting on your turkey pants at Thanksgiving. There is a bit more breathing space and less worry. And the more I share my story, the more I see people like me who don't want to ask for help, have struggled silently and don't want to seem vulnerable. 

Child and youth care has also given me perspective on this. As I walk alongside young people going through different challenges, acting as their safety net, I am 100 per cent committed to showing up for them. I know there aren’t a lot of child life specialist positions out there, but I also know in my heart that this is what I want. I will do everything possible to get there, but I will still be okay if it doesn't work out. There's so much meaningful work to do in the world. I'm going to land on my feet.”