Donna Thomson

Donna Thomson began her career as an actor, director and teacher. But in 1988, when her son Nicholas was born with severe disabilities, Donna embarked on her second career as a disability activist, author, consultant and writer. Donna is the Special Advisor for Caregiving at Tyze Personal Networks and is the International Advisor to the PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship. She is the co-founder of Lifetime Networks Ottawa, a PLAN affiliate and is a member of the Cambridge University Capability Approach Network. Donna is also an instructor at the Advocacy School (Ottawa, Canada), teaching families how to employ best practice political advocacy tools when advocating for care. Donna holds degrees in Fine Art (Theatre), Education and Theatre in Education. Donna’s interest in new modes of social engagement for marginalised families led her to sit on numerous boards, such as the London International Festival of Theatre, Women for Women International Leadership Circle and Dovercourt Community Association. Donna has spoken on disability and family wellbeing extensively, including at the London School of Economics, the Skoll World Forum, and the International Centre for Evidence in Disability.
Caregiving: A Nascent Social Revolution

Caregiving: A Nascent Social Revolution

Mention the word “caregiver” and what is the first thought that comes to mind? Older? Exceptional? Isolated and disconnected? Homebound and unemployed? Each of these stereotypes about care and caregivers is becoming increasingly outdated for the approximately 45...

It’s scary being an aging caregiver

It’s scary being an aging caregiver

Growing older always involves some kind of loss.  For my Mom, it meant giving up her beloved car.  To Mom, a car has always represented freedom and independence.  She fancies herself as a kind of Canadian Thelma or Louise - 'I've had it up to my ass in sedate!' would...

List of three

List of three

If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done Fact: Caregivers need help. Fact: Many caregivers have trouble asking for help. Fact:  When friends and family say, "Let me know if there's anything I can do", caregivers...

The perfect caregiver

The perfect caregiver

Let me tell you about a perfect caregiver I know.  Her name is Glenna and she looks after my Mom for a couple of hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Mom's home care agencies are littered with support workers she's thrown out - my mother resents needing help and quite...

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