Blog
Creative Corner with Cartoonist Erica
Author: Erica DiVincenzo
Diagnosis: Ewing’s Sarcoma (right arm).
I am a cartoonist. This is how I see the world in my mind. This is how I see people and animals. As early as Kindergarten, almost any attempt I made at art appeared as cartoons. This tendency became more obvious when I was 7 and spent a year at McMaster Children’s Hospital for cancer treatment. To make the time pass, I would draw. Almost always cartoons. I am very thankful that the doctors saved my drawing arm, which had bone cancer in it. I am still making cartoons every day and finding unique ways to use them in my career as an artist. Cartoons bring a lot of humour and joy to life.
Navigating Ontario’s Accessibility Act as a Childhood Cancer Survivor
This article has been adapted from an original submission from Phillip McCorkell
As a childhood cancer survivor, I often think about the distinction between being “disabled” and living with a disability. Personally, I see myself as someone with a disability rather than being defined by it. My own journey involves various ailments and impairments resulting from treatments, and while some of us might use assistive devices like hearing aids, canes, prosthetics, walkers, or wheelchairs, others face invisible disabilities.
Regardless of whether a disability is visible or not, many of us encounter significant barriers and discrimination in everyday life—be it in customer service, access to information, employment, transportation, or even within natural and constructed environments. Often, these barriers stem from a lack of adherence to The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) of 2005. It’s important to remember that it isn’t simply about visual appearance; a brief scan doesn’t ensure adherence to the “Customer Service Standard” of the legislation.
I’ve always had an interest in public transit, so, I’ll use that as an example:
Imagine a transit operator shouting at you to “use the back door!” While it’s generally advisable for passengers to use the back door to facilitate smoother boarding, those with disabilities should have the option to use the front door if needed. Disabilities aren’t always visible, and drivers should be cautious not to judge based on the presence of assistive devices alone. After all, the devices are just tools; the person’s disability is what matters.
Our experiences with accessibility can vary widely, and I encourage you to reflect on your own encounters with barriers and challenges. If you’re not yet familiar with The Ontario Human Rights Code and The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, I strongly recommend taking the time to review these important pieces of legislation.
Not so Alone After all
Author: Sara Payne
The future can be terrifying, but planning for mine gave me hope. When I got sick, I tried to take it one day at a time because I quickly learned how unpredictable life can be. However, I still planned for my future: graduate high school, go to college, become a paramedic and be happy. I never knew if I was going to achieve those things, but holding onto that picture in my mind helped me a lot.
When I was in hospital, anytime I felt like giving up I would look outside and see my future self in an ambulance, helping others. I was healthy and happy in my uniform. I would also envision myself in my future apartment, decorated the way I want it and my cat lying by the window enjoying some sun.
There have been times I thought I wasn’t going to be able to achieve my dream. But knowing how badly I wanted it to become a reality made me work that much harder. I wasn’t going to let cancer take this away from me. One of my favourite quotes is, “You want it because your future self already has it.” It gives me motivation to work hard and keep going.
Music was another thing I held on to when I was sick. Music and lyrics are like a story that can be interpreted however you want and provide an escape. One song I regularly listen to nowadays is WITHOUT YOU by NCT U. It’s about feeling alone and isolated, but it also shows that all it takes is one person to turn your life around and help you see better days. It makes me think of my friends who never left my side when I got sick and my mom who was with me 24/7.
I have a lot of good memories with my mom in the hospital. I also met some amazing people and even made some friends for life. Connecting with teens my age who went through the same thing I did and hearing their stories of survival helped me feel more at ease.
Regardless of what someone is dealing with, I think everyone has one thing they can hold on to even if they may not realize it. Maybe it’s a feeling, or a person or a small thing you do daily.
It can be hard to figure out what it is because our brain can get so filled with the stresses in life.
I think I’m now at a point where I’ve learned to enjoy my own company. I have a few solid friendships I wouldn’t trade for the world. I have good relationships with my cousins and even when I am physically alone, I don’t feel lonely.
Having cancer, and even being in remission, is such an isolating and lonely experience sometimes, but getting lost in daydreams about my future and listening to music makes me feel less lonely. I truly hope everyone has that one thing to comfort them and bring them joy, even if it’s for just 10 minutes a day. I can’t say for sure things will get easier, but I think it’s still worth it.
Survive
Author: Kayla Russell
About myself: My name is Kayla Russell. I attend the University of Waterloo as an undergraduate student. I was diagnosed when I was 11 years old, and 2024 marks ten years cancer-free. I’ve always enjoyed writing and reading stories; I just can’t get enough of them. I didn’t always love poetry, though. I didn’t start writing until a few years ago, and one of the things I wrote about was letting go of some pent-up feelings. Yet, the reason I will always continue to love poetry is because of the way we can relate to each other through our words. This is also the reason I wrote this piece, which was to show myself how I happened to think at the time. Nevertheless, I hope it is one that can be of some comfort to you.
“Survive, they said
But I’d rather stay in bed…”
Writing Process: I usually write my poems in a journal and then type them up on my computer just as a second copy or like an electronic diary, if you will. Sometimes I start writing something and then it ends up being completely different. A peaceful, cozy spot where I can curl up or sit comfortably is where I usually find myself writing. Writing is like my release. When I’m feeling sad or irritable, I write. I write to escape, or I write to find some answers. I started writing these poems to help create a safe space for myself to know that it’s okay to feel however I feel. Also to remind myself that there’s no right or incorrect way to feel about what happened to me; it’s a journey.
Survive, they said
Survive, they said
But I’d rather stay in bed
All day long
Where my pillow
Sings sweet songs
Of rest here
But something inside me
Has a little more energy
Than I did yesterday
So, I make my way
Out of bed
And stand in front of the mirror
Surprisingly,
I don’t look as tired
But I’m worn out on the inside
Something inside of me
Says hide
But I wipe my tears
And walk away from the mirror
It will be okay
Tomorrow’s another day
Survive, they said
For every poison that wishes to
Kill me from the inside out
That is not the thing that will kill me
The cages of my mind with thoughts
That are locked behind
Bars, yelling the same thing
You’re not good enough
You will never survive this
They were right, you probably won’t make it
I am weak from the thoughts that drain the life
Out of me
Who is she?
Who is the one who’s done with life
Who is the one who doesn’t let strife
Come in between her and her dreams
Who will let me dream?
So, I have to take the prisoners
All of the emotions I’ve locked away
And say
It’s okay to feel
But I can’t complain
The comfortability from laying in a bed of fearTells me
Nothing can hurt me if I pretend it’s not real
I can just spiral in doubt
Until I fall asleep with the pain that
Lulls me away to the land of dreams
When I wake up, I know what they will say
Survive, they said
It’s only up
From here
Giants
You have beautifully risen
Despite all the bad
That has happened
Your triumph is a beanstalk
Reaching new heights
Tackling new giants
And still growing
Am I Still Dreaming?
A very scary
Dream of mine
Is for all
My nightmares to come true
Is it bad that I wish to
See how strong I can be
To fight off all
That haunts me?
Join us in Raising Money for Kids with Cancer!
Do you want to give back to an organization that is important to you but don’t know where to begin?
Individual, community, school and corporate events in support of POGO make a big impact in the lives of children and youth with cancer, survivors and their families.
Celebrate a milestone, host a sporting event, fundraise at your school, plan a social event, create a team challenge at your office or add a fundraising component to an existing event — there are so many options!
The funds you raise provide financial assistance to families so they can pay for out-of-pocket costs associated with their child’s treatment, support survivors with customized school and work counselling when their disease or its treatment has left them with learning challenges and fund promising research that examines the impact of childhood cancer and its treatment.
Get started today with our easy-to-use fundraising platform. Reach out to events@pogo.ca with any questions or for help getting started!