Fall 2026: Meaningful Milestones, New Connections, and Looking Ahead

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of October.

The past couple of months have been a mixture of excitement, nerves, challenges, and some pretty special moments for Healing Horizons for FND.

From celebrating an unexpected recognition in September to welcoming participants into our very first peer support group in October, there’s been a lot happening. I wanted to take a little time to share some of those moments with you.

A Special Evening in September

In September, I had the honour of attending the WESK (Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan) Women Entrepreneur of the Year celebration, where I was recognized as a 2026 Changemakers & Trailblazers honouree.

It was a bit of everything, really. Exciting, nerve-racking, overwhelming, and something I felt incredibly proud to be part of.

When I first started Healing Horizons for FND, receiving recognition like this wasn’t something I’d even considered. My focus was on creating a place where people living with Functional Neurological Disorder could find understanding, practical resources, and opportunities to connect.

Being recognized for that work was a pretty special feeling.

Having my husband, Vinnie, there to share the evening made it even more meaningful. He’s been beside me through so much, including the challenges of my own FND journey and the many hours spent building HHFFND.

It was an evening I’ll remember for a long time.

October Brought Something We’ve Been Working Toward for Months

On October 13, Healing Horizons for FND officially launched our first Canadian Adult Peer Support Group Pilot!

This was a big one.

After months of planning, preparing resources, connecting with volunteers, and working through all the details of starting something new, we finally welcomed our first participants.

And yes, there were nerves!

Our eight-week virtual pilot brings together adults living with FND from across Canada. Each week, we explore a different discussion topic, share experiences, and give people the opportunity to connect with others who may understand some of what they’re going through.

Our participants range in age from their early twenties to their seventies, bringing different experiences and perspectives to the conversations.

Something that’s especially important to me is that nobody feels pressured to participate in a particular way. Cameras are optional, speaking is optional, and simply listening is always welcome.

We’re now three sessions into the pilot, and it’s been wonderful to see people connecting through something that was only an idea not so long ago.

Registration for our first pilot is closed, but we’ve opened a waitlist for those interested in future groups.

Beyond our virtual support group, we’re also building connections through Facebook. Our FND Connections & Support | Healing Horizons for FND group offers another space for people to connect, share experiences, and support one another.

You can also follow our Healing Horizons for FND Facebook page for updates, resources, and news about what’s happening at HHFFND.

Another First, and One That Meant a Lot

October also brought our very first donation to Healing Horizons for FND.

For a new nonprofit operating without ongoing funding, that first contribution was especially meaningful.

It was encouraging to know that someone believed in what we’re creating enough to support it financially.

We’re grateful for every form of support, whether that’s donating, volunteering, sharing our resources, or helping others discover HHFFND.

Continuing My Education in Patient Engagement

In October, I also completed the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Patient Engagement in Research training.

As someone living with FND, I’ve become increasingly interested in how patients can contribute to healthcare discussions, research, and decisions that affect their lives.

This training was another step toward developing the knowledge and skills to participate more meaningfully in those conversations.

I’m looking forward to continuing my education in patient engagement and advocacy as HHFFND develops.

Looking Toward 2027

Although 2026 isn’t quite over, I’m already thinking about what comes next.

Our immediate priority is completing the eight-week support group pilot in December, gathering participant feedback, and considering how future groups could develop.

We’re also continuing to build relationships, strengthen our resources, and explore opportunities to make support more accessible across Canada.

I’d love to see more people living with FND have opportunities to connect, share their experiences, and be included in conversations about their care.

Of course, funding, volunteers, and organizational capacity will influence how quickly we’re able to move forward. We’re still a young nonprofit, and there’s plenty we’re figuring out along the way.

But I’m excited about the possibilities for 2027.

Thank You for Being Part of This

When I think about the people who’ve reached out, the conversations we’ve had, and the support we’ve received, I’m reminded that HHFFND is becoming more than a collection of resources on a website.

There are real people behind every message, every registration, and every connection being made.

To everyone who has followed along, reached out, volunteered, donated, or encouraged us, thank you for being part of this journey.

Here’s to seeing what the next chapter brings. 💙🧡