For Families

Leveraging Inclusion & Friendship to Thrive after Stroke

LIFTS is a Calgary-based peer program for kids with stroke and their families. Program content and delivery is informed by children and families to design groups that meets the needs and desires of participants. 

The Kids Group meets on alternate months from the Parents Group. The Kids Group is an opportunity for children aged 6 to 12 years old who had a stroke to meet for a fun and age-appropriate activity. Youth Mentors who are 13+ years old and have had a stroke are encouraged to join.

The Parent Group is an opportunity for parents and caregivers of children who had a perinatal or paediatric stroke to meet in a casual, comfortable, and confidential setting. Peer parents/caregivers facilitate meetings. 

Upcoming meeting dates:

Kids Group: Saturday April 13, 2024 from 1:00-2:30pm at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (2425 9 Ave SE Calgary) for the Animal Adaptations Nature Walk. Space is limited. Please sign up here: LIFTS Kids Group Registration

Parents Group: Thursday May 9, 2024 at 7pm online (Zoom). Please sign up here: LIFTS Parents Group Registration

You can contact the LIFTS team at LIFTS@ucalgary.ca 

Family Tool Kit

If you have a newly diagnosed child and want a guide for starting on this journey or have been impacted by stroke in any way, please check out this Family Tool Kit by the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke. Click here for more information: https://iapediatricstroke.org/family-tool-kit/

Jooay is a free app that helps children with disabilities and their families to locate leisure opportunities that are: close to where they are, accessible, suit their needs and abilities, match their preferences, can help them develop and participate in society. Jooay is also a community, to help parents, rehabilitation professionals, educators and community to connect, exchange, and learn from each other. Click here for more information: http://jooay.com/

The International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke (IAPS) is the leading pediatric stroke information and advocacy group. IAPS was established to facilitate collaboration among the many worldwide pediatric stroke communities. Our purpose is to effectively advocate for babies and children who have suffered a stroke. For more information please check the following link: https://iapediatricstroke.org/

This program helps families connect with other families whose child has been diagnosed with a similar medical condition.  Supportive family members receive orientation, support and encouragement to connect with a requesting family member who needs to talk, ask questions and receive support regarding the health and well being of a child or youth.  For more information about this program check the following link: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/family/f2f/connect-with-another-family.php

As it is very important that families be carefully selected for matching, we would strongly encourage you to also contact our program to assist in the selection process.

This program is geared for teens aged 12-19 years old to assist them in their transition from being a child to becoming an adult. Team members are here to provide teens with information and support regarding transition topics and help them find information, resources and supports in the community. Becoming independent, graduating to adult care, day programs, education, transportation/driving, sexuality, social skills are just a few examples of the information provided on this website to assist youth and families with the transition process. Click here to find out more: http://fcrc.albertahealthservices.ca/transition/