We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our National Youth Advisory Panel. To read more about this panel and its mandate, click here.
Claire Dawe-McCord, 21
WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AND/OR WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AMBITIONS?
I am going into my third year of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster and I am currently co-chairing the Kids Come First Ontario Health Team.
WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS, INTERESTS, AND HOBBIES?
I have been modelling on and off since I was 14, which has been an incredible opportunity for me. I have so far been to Singapore, Tokyo, and New York City for work and hopefully I can get back into it when I am done school because I love to travel. When I am at home, I like to go for bike rides with my friends and take care of my rapidly expanding garden.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BRAIN-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?
I was diagnosed with ADHD and multiple rare musculoskeletal disorders when I was in high school. Learning how to control my symptoms was quite the learning curve for me and I hope that through this work I can make that process a little bit easier for other children and youth.
How did you hear about CHILD-BRIGHT?
I heard about CHILD-BRIGHT through Jan Willem Gorter who is a professor at McMaster and a Principal Investigator of the CHILD-BRIGHT READYorNot™ Brain-Based Disabilities Project.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY PANEL?
I hope that one day we can have representation from all of Canada's populations and that together our work can improve the quality of life for all youth with disabilities.