Kathryn Harrison is participating in the Caregiver Smile Summit

caregiver smile summit

Kathryn Harrison is participating in the Caregiver Smile Summit

Kathryn is participating in the Caregiver Smile Summit.

Author / Illustrator Kathryn Harrison started in science then became a business professional, communicator and, finally, an artist.  After she earned a B.Sc. in Neurology, she went on to receive an M.B.A and then worked for over a decade in Marketing and Communications. Following her business career, she turned to art obtaining a Fine Art Diploma from the Toronto School of Art. In writing and illustrating her award-winning picture book in 2016, Weeds in Nana’s Garden, Kathryn brought all her varied abilities together. She was compelled to create this resource for children following her family’s experience with her mother’s Frontal Temporal Degeneration. Kathryn has continued her commitment to provide resources for families impacted by dementia as a member of the team running AlzAuthors.com, an online community offering a vast collection of dementia related-resources. Most recently, she collaborated with dementia care expert, Jaclyn Guenette, to launch another children’s book, I Smile For Grandpa.

During her mother’s dementia, Kathryn’s children were young; her son was born within months of receiving her mom’s diagnosis and her daughter had just turned 2. They grew up with their Nana living with dementia but along this journey, Kathryn uncovered many benefits from their relationship together. Overall she found her children were valuable members of the caregiving team and this connection enriched both her kids and her mom. The experience led Kathryn to make it her mission to find ways to help other children better understand dementia diseases and encourage them to get more involved. To spread awareness and knowledge globally, her books are being translated into multiple languages. What’s more, proceeds from her books support the Alzheimer Society of Canada.*

Her topic is: Talking With Your Children About Dementia

Find out more about the Caregiver Smile Summitwww.caregiversummit.org