Community Forums

Let’s Talk Lupus:

Back to School Accommodations

Thank you to everyone who joined us on September 10th for our insightful forum on back-to-school accommodations for students living with lupus! A special thank you to Natasha Trehan for sharing her experiences and offering valuable tips to help students, parents, educators, and healthcare professionals navigate the challenges of returning to school with a chronic illness.

A video recording of the forum is available for viewing.

Don’t miss out on the practical advice and resources provided to ensure a smoother transition back to the classroom!

Helpful Resources:

Request for Accommodations Letter

Back to School Accommodations Checklist

Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or healthcare professional, these resources can help ensure a smoother transition back to the classroom. Let’s continue supporting one another on this journey!

Natasha Trehan is a fourth-year student in the Translational Molecular Medicine program at the University of Ottawa and a passionate advocate for the chronic illness community. She founded the Take a Pain Check Foundation, empowering youth with rheumatic diseases worldwide. Under Natasha’s leadership, the foundation has grown to over 50 volunteers, including youth, allies, and healthcare professionals. She has spearheaded initiatives such as the STEM scholarship program with Pfizer Canada and the Backpack Program, in partnership with Arthritis Society Canada, providing newly diagnosed teens with ergonomic backpacks and essential resources.

As a trained patient researcher through the PaCER program at the University of Calgary, Natasha contributes to medical research and serves on advisory boards for Pain Canada, the Choice Research Lab, and Arthritis Research Canada. She has conducted research at the University Health Network and the Hospital for SickKids and has presented at major conferences across North America. Natasha is also the youngest patient partner with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology and has earned recognition, including the Ottawa Youth 21 under 21 award and a spot on the D-30 list for 2024. Her work continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those with chronic illnesses.

Let’s Talk Lupus and Men Roundtable

Living with lupus can be isolating, especially as it is generally referred as an invisible disease. Lupus can affect anyONE at anyTIME in their lives and as such it is our hope to bring awareness and inclusivity to lupus.

Men living with lupus may be unsure as to how to communicate about lupus with colleagues, friends, and family. Many people do not know what lupus is and as it is an invisible disease, they may not understand why it may be difficult to carry out daily tasks.

During Men’s Health Awareness Month in June 2023 Lupus Canada’s Executive Director, Leanne Mielczarek and our National Digital Marketing Specialist, Ariana Ranjbar had the opportunity to speak with Kerry Johnson, Isaac Hall, Miguel Jones, and Carlos Herrera about their lived experiences with lupus.

A video recording of the Roundtable discussion is available for viewing.

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