Parents of children with disabilities face challenges in their daily lives, but little is known about their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the study was to explore the experiences of parents of children with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada. Forty parents of children with disabilities from Quebec, Canada (mean [SD] age: 41.2 [6.7]; 93% women) were selected from the Ma Vie et la pandémie (MAVIPAN) study. All 40 parents completed the MAVIPAN online questionnaires including the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing short 7-item scale (WEMWBS), Social Provisions Scale-10 item (SPS-10), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS). A multi-method analysis was used to summarize questionnaires and thematically explore parents’ experiences. Parents reported deterioration in their mental (50.0%) and physical (27.5%) health, with moderate levels of depression, stress, and anxiety, yet moderately positive well-being. Additional experiences included reduction in available supports (71.4%) and feelings of social isolation (51.4%). Our results highlighted reduced mental and physical health, limited and modified access to certain services, and reduction of social supports for some parents of children with disabilities. Health professionals, policymakers, and governments should be mindful of these challenges experienced by parents of children with disabilities.

Les jeunes s’identifiant comme étant des personnes trans ou non binaires (TNB) sont exposé·e·s au risque de vivre différentes formes de discrimination, d’abus et de violence de la part des membres de leur famille ou de leur entourage. Cet article a pour but de : 1) faire un portrait des jeunes TNB ayant vécu un ou des types d’abus ; 2) cerner le contexte particulier de cette violence et de ses répercussions sur le bien-être des jeunes TNB. Les données ont été recueillies dans le cadre de « l’Enquête canadienne sur la santé des jeunes trans et non binaires » (ECSJT) menée au pays en 2019. L’échantillon est composé de 220 jeunes TNB âgé·e·s de 14 à 25 ans résidant dans la province de Québec. Des analyses de Test T et Chi carré ont été menées. Elles montrent que près de la moitié de l’échantillon a subi des violences sexuelles (44,1 %) et près de 20 % de l’échantillon a été blessé physiquement par un membre de la famille, phénomène plus fréquemment rencontré chez les 14 à 17 ans (34,2 %) que chez les 18 à 25 ans (14,6 %). En contrôlant pour l’âge, il y avait une association significative entre les liens familiaux et les chances d’être victime (p <.001) ou d’avoir été témoin (p =.03) de violences impliquant un·e membre de la famille. Les résultats de l’enquête en ligne sont cohérents avec les différentes études soulignant les abus et la violence vécus par les jeunes des minorités sexuelles.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged people with spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding a variety of mental and physical issues. New challenges may arise as the effects of the pandemic continue. The objective of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore the social participation of Canadians with SCI during the second wave of COVID-19. Methods: Participants with SCI from two Canadian provinces (Quebec and British Columbia) were interviewed. Results: Eighteen participants completed interviews. The facilitators of social participation remain similar since the first wave of COVID-19, such as the use of technology, help received by relatives, and the use of delivery services to obtain groceries and other essentials. Obstacles to mobility due to winter conditions and lack of considerations related to COVID-19 public health measures specific to wheelchair users were also discussed by participants. Conclusions: People with SCI perceived participation restrictions, little changes in life habits, and uncertainty about the future during the second wave of COVID-19. The unique living conditions of people with SCI, ability to adapt life habits, and the lived experiences of people with SCI may have contributed to an overall resilience during the pandemic. Adaptive families, social contacts, and technology made a difference during the pandemic.

The coming out process differs for everyone, and parents may experience difficulties such as external stress, ostracism and finding local services. Access to resources is, therefore, fundamental, and parents need support in accompanying their children. Methods: This research was carried out in two waves. Firstly, data collection began with parents of TNB children living in the Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions, who participated in five group meetings. Secondly, nine in-depth interviews were conducted with parents living in the province of Quebec, outside major urban centres. Results: This article presents the synergy between the two waves of data collection. The results show that parents report various experiences of vulnerability in the process of accepting their children’s gender identity. Despite this, the families we met provided their children with unconditional support to help them navigate various service structures. Conclusions: Although parents of TNB children living in regional areas face similar difficulties to their urban peers, the lack of resources and access to services limits their options, contributing to their isolation. As a result, these parents must employ strategies to initiate change and improve their conditions.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged people with spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding a variety of mental and physical issues. New challenges may arise as the effects of the pandemic continue. The objective of the present study was to explore the social participation of Canadians with SCI during the second wave of COVID-19. Methods: Participants with SCI from two Canadian provinces (Quebec and British Columbia) were interviewed. Results: Eighteen participants completed interviews. Facilitators of social participation remain similar since the first wave of COVID-19, such as the use of technology, help received by relatives and the use of delivery services to obtain groceries and other essentials. Obstacles to mobility due to winter conditions and lack of considerations related to COVID-19 public health measures specific to wheelchair users were also discussed by participants. Conclusions: People with SCI perceived participation restrictions, little changes in life habits, and uncertainty about the future during the second wave of COVID-19. The unique living conditions of people with SCI, ability to adapt life habits, and the lived experiences of people with SCI may have contributed to an overall resilience during the pandemic. Adaptive families, social contacts and technology made a difference during the pandemic.