For much of my childhood, Children’s Hospital was a second home—not because I was a patient, but because my twin sister was. Before the age of 17, she underwent 18 surgeries for a rare genetic condition and profound hearing loss. I spent countless hours at her bedside and in the children’s wing activity room, learning early on what it meant to wait.
And there is a lot of waiting in the hospital. Waiting for test results. Waiting for doctors’ rounds. Waiting for nurse checks and more testing. As a sibling, you don’t just watch the clock—you feel every slow tick of it. But I remember that Children’s had something that could make those hours lighter- activity and colouring pages. Years later, in 1995, The Hospital Activity Book For Children was created.
As a university student babysitting a three-year-old with leukemia, I saw it from a different angle. We spent many afternoons in the hospital, alternating between VeggieTales episodes and working through The Hospital Activity Book together. It wasn’t just about passing time—it was about creating small moments of fun, calm, and connection in an otherwise stressful place with puzzles, word searches, short stories, fun facts, and accessible educational content.
Fast forward again to when I became a parent. During visits to Children’s with my own daughter, I once again found myself in waiting rooms, searching for ways to entertain her before appointments. And once again, The Hospital Activity Book was there. It was a godsend—a positive form of distraction, an easy way to pass the time, and a reminder that even in medical spaces, joy and creativity have a place.
These experiences have stayed with me and shaped much of my work today. Having a twin with a rare condition taught me the value of accessibility and adaptability. In my family, making art was something we could all do together, regardless of ability. That foundation helped me learn how to adapt the art-making process to the environment and the unique needs of participants—a skill I now use daily in my work at Alongside You.
At Alongside You, we believe deeply in the power of creativity for healing and connection. Our arts and health programs are built on the idea that art can provide comfort, foster connection, and support mental well-being in even the most challenging circumstances. That’s why supporting initiatives like The Hospital Activity Book matters so much to us. It’s more than just paper and puzzles—it’s a lifeline of creativity for kids, siblings, and parents who need a moment of light in the middle of uncertainty.
So when we partner with and support The Hospital Activity Book, it’s personal. We know, firsthand, the difference it makes. And we are honoured to help ensure that children and families across Canada have access to those same moments of joy, distraction, and creative connection that once meant so much to me.
You can learn more about The Hospital Activity Book here: https://www.habfc.com/