I am happy to be a Buds in Bloom Director of the Board as I strive to move the needle to create a world where my children can live their best lives. They are all impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure, and will face life-long challenges due to their permanent brain damage. My goal in life has been to try to transform the world my children live in, and I hope that this goal will also help other families who are facing barriers to overcome challenges.

To learn about my experience as a parent, watch this 4-minute video called A Caregiver’s Journey.

I am delighted to join the Buds in Bloom board of directors. I am an individual who is passionate regarding the care and wellbeing of others and believe children who have the correct support mechanisms in place can thrive and excel. As a leader in health care and a mom of two neurodiverse children, I am invested in enhancing awareness of available resources for children with disabilities and advocating for supports to ensure all children to realize their full potential. I look forward to utilizing my professional and personal experiences to aid in realizing the mission of Buds in Bloom by creating hope and empowerment of families with neurodiverse children.

Children are our future. The greater the positive impact we create today for our children, the stronger the fabric of society as they become adults. I chose to be involved with Buds in Bloom to do my part in creating hope and relief on a larger scale.

I have three children, and love being a Dad.

I am deeply honored to join Buds in Bloom as a board member, fueled by my passion for shaping a brighter future for our children. As both a medical professional and a devoted mother to a wonderful autistic boy, I bring a unique blend of expertise and personal insight to the table. My mission is to foster stronger community bonds and uplift the well-being of families navigating life’s unpredictable journey. Through advocacy, awareness, and a steadfast commitment to acceptance, I hope to contribute to the organization’s growth and success, and help make a positive impact to our community.

To learn about my story as a parent, watch this 4-minute video Frances’ Story.

As a holder of the Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations, my experience stems from data analysis and interpreting those key metrics that drive organizations toward their strategic goals. Measuring and acting on meaningful data helps us achieve our intermediary goals and aligns us with our vision. We are not owners but merely leaseholders with a contract that will expire at any given time. What we do with our time on earth is up to us. We want to give our current and future generations the best possible chance to change the world for the better, and in doing so, we earn our stay. Children with neurodiversity if administered and provided support at the early stage will add significant contributions to society. We at Buds in Bloom are working to ensure that every child and family is provided with that opportunity.

I have two children: Cailyn and Ronan.

As a volunteer of the Buds in Bloom family since 2018, I have been involved in hands-on Operations, gaining knowledge of the organization and developing relationships within the Team. Over time, I have desired to contribute to Buds in Bloom in a more strategic manner, and joining the board as a director is that opportunity. I also believe that I bring a different perspective from my experience in Development Planning, Project Management and Concept Engineering that adds value to Buds in Bloom.

I am the father of two young children.

In my role as a Buds in Bloom Board Director, I bring a diverse professional background and a deep personal understanding of neurodiversity. My journey in advocacy and support for neurodiversity began with my own family, as I navigated the challenges and joys of raising a child diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and severe ADHD complex presentation. This experience has shaped my perspective profoundly, fueling my passion for creating inclusivity for families affected by neurodevelopmental differences. With expertise in leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement, I am poised to impact the lives of neurodiverse children and their families significantly. Inspired by Buds in Bloom’s mission, I am eager to leverage my skills, passion, and insights to further the organization’s goals. I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members to create a brighter future for all neurodiverse individuals and their families.

My journey to transform the status quo for families living with a neurodiverse child started with a deepened understanding about the widening gaps in services delivered by hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres and recreation programs; gaps that are found across Canada. My commitment is to make the difference for all children in Canada, no matter what their ability, as well as for their parents and siblings. Having practiced paediatric occupational therapy in the U.S.A. and Canada in several States and provinces respectively, since the mid 1990’s, it is evident that access to needed services in my native land of Canada is too often a bumpy road with back-ups, pot holes, road blocks, and traffic jams, like when funneling six lanes of traffic into one lane. This maze of dead ends can lead to distress, pain or suffering in children, parents and family members. All children and their families, regardless of their lived experience, have the right to support services, yet at this time, finding and accessing support services remains inaccessible for many of them. The urgent need to join brilliant minds, a shared vision and passionate hearts in helping our children and families overcome system barriers is unmistakable. Through partnership, in public, private and non-government sectors, all for this greater cause, let’s pool our resources, and leverage our human capital. You are invited to contribute to advancing our mission.

I have three accomplished and loving step-children (all adults today).