On March 8, we dedicate International Women’s Day to celebrating the incredible mothers of the Glenrose whose love, strength, and advocacy inspire everyone around them.
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, reflects the many ways women show up for the people who matter most in their lives.
At the Glenrose, we see this spirit every day in the mothers who walk our halls. Some are supporting their children through rehabilitation. Others are patients themselves, navigating their own recovery while continuing to care for their families.
Each journey is different. But all are guided by the same deep love.
For Sarah, becoming a mother meant stepping into a journey of advocacy, patience, and learning to embrace the unknown.
Born at 36 weeks, Sarah’s son Hudson was only two days old when he began having seizures and was admitted to the NICU. Doctors later confirmed he had suffered a stroke during delivery. An MRI revealed bilateral stroke injury, leaving Sarah and her family with more questions than answers about what the future might hold.
Would Hudson ever speak? Walk? Move independently?
Those early days were filled with uncertainty. But they also marked the beginning of Sarah’s role as one of Hudson’s strongest champions.
At just six months old, Hudson began physical and occupational therapy at the Glenrose while also receiving support closer to home in Camrose. By 18 months, he was diagnosed with spastic triplegic cerebral palsy.
For Sarah, the journey was not only about appointments and therapies. It was about learning to navigate uncertainty while continuing to show up every day for her child.
“I have gained a strong ability to advocate for myself and both of my children, and I am not afraid to fight for what they need,” she shares.
Along the way, she also learned to appreciate the smallest victories.
“Mostly I have learned to celebrate every win no matter how small,” she says. “You don’t always know how long it will be until your next one.”
Today, Hudson is a curious and spirited six-year-old who loves to learn and is never shy about striking up a conversation.
Jenna’s story is another powerful reminder of the strength women bring to their families.
As both a patient and a mother of four, Jenna is working through her own rehabilitation while continuing to care for her family. Living with long-term health challenges has shaped her life in many ways, giving her a deeper understanding of what it means to support her children.
“One of the great privileges of motherhood is the love and care we give to our children,” Jenna shares. “It is an honour to be there for them, giving all we can to meet their needs.”
Through the support of the Glenrose I CAN Centre, Jenna has gained tools that have transformed how she communicates and advocates for herself and her family. Using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device has given her a reliable way to express herself and connect with those around her, especially her children.
“Having reliable communication has strengthened my ability to advocate for my children and participate in my family and community,” she says. “That gift is immeasurable.”
Her experience has also helped her grow stronger and gain a new perspective.
“This journey has taught me that even when circumstances feel overwhelming, there are often solutions waiting to be discovered if we keep moving forward,” she shares.
Sarah and Jenna’s journeys reflect two powerful stories of motherhood at the Glenrose. One advocating tirelessly for her child’s progress, and one navigating her own rehabilitation while continuing to advocate for her children and support her family.
Yet both reflect the same spirit.
The love, courage, and dedication they bring to their families speak to the strength of women everywhere.
This International Women’s Day, we honour women like Sarah and Jenna — and the many ways they continue to show up for their families, their communities, and the people who matter most in their lives.
