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Acknowledging holidays and celebrations in March

Awareness Days

In March, we acknowledge Holi, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day and Eid al-Fitr. Read more about each holiday/celebration below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Holi

Holi, one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in Hindu culture, is marked by joy and enthusiasm around the world. Known as “the festival of colours,” it celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Individuals take part in the tradition of painting each other in coloured powders, dancing, singing and sharing festive foods.

Rooted in Hinduism, Holi is derived from the legend of Prahlad and the demoness Holika. It’s a time for forgiveness, letting go of past grievances and fostering peace and harmony. The festival also symbolizes renewal, marking the end of winter and the beginning of new beginnings, as it celebrates the victory of light, love and good fortune over darkness.

St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day originally honoured St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, with religious feasts and services. Born in the late 4th century, St. Patrick was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he later returned to the country to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death, St. Patrick had established monasteries, churches and schools across Ireland. One of the most famous legends surrounding him is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland.

Although rooted in religion, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a largely secular holiday, especially in North America, where immigrants transformed it into a celebration of all things Irish. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in Boston in 1737, and in 1962, Chicago began the now-iconic tradition of dyeing its river green for the occasion.

Today, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, particularly in North America and Australia, bring together people of all backgrounds. Those who celebrate typically wear green, participate in parades and indulge in traditional Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie and Irish soda bread.

St. Joseph’s Day

St. Joseph’s Day, also known as the Feast of Saint Joseph, is celebrated annually on March 19. Saint Joseph holds great significance for Christians as the husband of Mary and the stepfather of Jesus. The day is observed with particular importance in Poland and Canada, and it is also recognized as Father’s Day in Italy and Spain. In Switzerland, it is a public holiday.

In Canada, St. Joseph’s Day is especially celebrated in areas with large Italian communities. Traditionally, people wear red and gather for a special meal featuring “lucky” foods. Since the day falls during Lent, the meal typically includes fish instead of meat.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr holds deep significance in Islam. It is centred on gratitude, renewal and community connection. The festival marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual growth that brings Muslims closer to Allah (God) and fosters self-discipline. Eid is a time to express thanks for the strength gained during Ramadan and the blessings of the year.

The celebration brings Muslims together for prayer, feasting and acts of charity, underscoring the importance of giving to the less fortunate, family and community. Islam’s emphasis on thankfulness and forgiveness encourages a fulfilling life, promotes conflict resolution and helps build resilience and harmony among people.

In February, we acknowledge Vasant Panchami, Setsubun, Shab-e Barat, Nirvana Day and Ramadan. Read more about each holiday/celebration below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Vasant Panchami: February 2

Vasant Panchami is a famous festival that marks the end of the winter season and ushers in the springtime. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of the Vasant Panchami festival. Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom. She embodies the different facets of learning, such as the sciences, arts, crafts and skills. She is often pictured seated on a lotus or a peacock, wearing a white dress. Many honour the Goddess Saraswati by waking up early and dressing in yellow (believed to be her favourite colour), eating and sharing yellow sweets and snacks, and performing rituals (puja) to her deity.

Setsubun: February 3

Setsubun (節分), meaning “seasonal division,” is a traditional Japanese festival celebrated on February 3, 2024, to welcome the arrival of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar. The festival includes the ritual of Mamemaki, a tradition of throwing roasted soybeans to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. While throwing the soybeans, individuals shout, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Devils out, happiness in”) as a means of purifying your space and minds. Although some customs are no longer popular during Setsubun, few people continue to traditionally ornament their homes with fish heads and holy tree leaves at their entrances to deter evil spirits from entering. This ritual symbolizes purification and is a lively family activity that emphasizes unity and tradition. Setsubun holds cultural and spiritual significance, marking the seasonal transition and creating a sense of harmony with nature.

Shab-e Barat: February 13 (depends on moon sighting)

Celebrated on the 15th of Shaban, Shab-e Barat, or the Night of Forgiveness, is a significant Islamic festival. On this night, Muslims worldwide ask forgiveness for their sins from the all-merciful Allah (God in Arabic). Additionally, the night can be used to seek mercy for the deceased and ill family members. It is believed that Allah decides the fortune and the future of every creature of the earth on this night. Muslims across the world celebrate the night differently depending on cultural diversity and local traditions.

Nirvana Day: February 15

Nirvana Day celebrated annually on February 15, holds significant importance in the Buddhist tradition as it commemorates the death of Buddha and his attainment of Nirvana. Buddhists believe in rebirth, meaning that all people are born again and again. During the Buddha’s life, he became enlightened, which means he understood the true nature of everything. So, when he died, he achieved complete Nirvana, which means he was free from ever being reborn again.

On Nirvana Day, Buddhists go to a temple or monastery and reflect deeply on the teachings of Buddha. People may engage in meditation sessions, participate in rituals, and engage in acts of charity and kindness to honour the Buddha’s teachings and legacy. It is also a time to think about impermanence, which means that we remember that people and things are precious, but they do not last forever, so we should enjoy them while we can. 

Ramadan (Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 30)

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred time for Muslims, marking the revelation of the Qur’an. During the month, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink as an act of worship, spiritual discipline, and empathy for the less fortunate. The fast is broken at sunset with prayer and a festive meal called iftar, often shared with family and friends. In addition to the five daily prayers, Muslims also perform the Tarawih night prayers and observe Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night, believed to be when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration of the fast’s conclusion, featuring meals, gift exchanges and charitable giving to the poor.

In February, we acknowledge Black History Month, World Hijab Day, Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Missing Women’s Memorial March, International Childhood Cancer Day and Pink Shirt Day. Read more about each date of significance below, written by members of our Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.

Black History Month

February is dedicated to observing Black history and celebrating the achievements of Black communities and individuals. This month, people across Canada participate in events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. The theme for Black History Month 2025 is Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.

Did you know? Hallie Quinn Brown, born in 1850, was an elocutionist and is considered by many to be the first Black Speech-Language Pathologist in America. Hallie utilized her skills in linguistics to improve the early literacy and language of Black children living on plantations and taught thousands of Black adults the power of using spoken language to enact change for social justice.

Learn more about Black History Month here!

World Hijab Day: February 1

As we approach World Hijab Day on February 1, it presents a meaningful opportunity for us at Grandview Kids to enhance our understanding and appreciation of the cultural and religious practices of our Muslim colleagues, clients and their families.

Initiated by Nazma Khan in 2013, World Hijab Day is dedicated to raising awareness and fostering understanding about the hijab, which is a head covering worn by many Muslim women as part of Islamic modesty. This practice often includes wearing loosely fitted clothing to avoid attracting attention from non-mahram (men whom they can marry). At Grandview Kids, recognizing the significance of the hijab is crucial in ensuring our Muslim clients, caregivers and staff feel safe, respected and free from fear.

Staff member, Fadia, wearing the Hijab at Grandview Kids.

We encourage open and respectful dialogues about the cultural and religious importance of the hijab, and we invite our staff to engage in this cultural experience. If any staff member is interested in wearing the hijab for a period of time as a gesture of solidarity or understanding, we warmly encourage them to reach out to their Muslim colleagues. Our Muslim staff members would be delighted to share their experiences and even bring a hijab for those interested to try out. This gesture can be a powerful way to connect, understand and show support.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week: February 1 to 7

Since 2020, Eating Disorders Awareness Week has provided an opportunity to raise awareness about various types of eating disorders which can affect individuals of all demographics. Though Eating Disorders Awareness Week has only been officially recognized since 2020, it has existed since 1986.

It’s interesting to note that eating disorders can be caused both by medical conditions and socioeconomic conditions. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, 6.9 million Canadians experienced food insecurity, 1.6 million of whom were children. This food insecurity can often lead to the development of eating disorders as well.

There are several types of eating disorders, though one of the most common is anorexia or anorexia nervosa, which is a psychiatric condition in which a patient restricts how much food they eat based on their energy needs. These individuals tend to eat less and exercise more, resulting in these individuals becoming extremely underweight, which can lead to several additional medical complications. This is just one example, though there are many others.

If you or someone you know is struggling with any type of eating disorder, or if you are interested in learning more about learning disorders, please see our additional resources below, or please reach out to your healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. https://nied.ca/the-history-of-eating-disorders-awareness-week-edaw/
  2. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/eat-disorder.html
  3. https://nedic.ca/eating-disorders-treatment/

Missing Women’s Memorial March: February 14

The Missing Women’s Memorial March occurs on February 14 to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada and the USA. The event originated in downtown Vancouver’s eastside following the murder of a local Indigenous woman in 1992. Since then, it has grown to become an annual march to recognize all missing indigenous women and girls around the globe.

Participants in the Women’s March believe that it stands for survival and resilience and symbolizes the reclamation of dignity that has been denied to many women in Canada who identify as part of a marginalized group. Although originating in Vancouver, provinces all over Canada now hold annual marches to honour and bring visibility to these missing women and girls. To find out more information on marches for 2025, be sure to research marches in your community.

International Childhood Cancer Day: February 15

International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges relevant to childhood cancer and impacting on children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors, their families and society as a whole. It also spotlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer everywhere. As a community that supports children and youth, we stand with the World Health Organization Initiative for Childhood Cancer – striving for 60% survival globally by 2030.

Pink Shirt Day: February 26

Pink Shirt Day originated in 2007 in Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, when two grade 12 students bought 50 pink shirts to support a new student who was bullied for wearing one. The next day, most students wore pink, leading to the birth of Pink Shirt Day. In recognition of this event, Nova Scotia declared the second Thursday of September as “Stand Up Against Bullying Day,” and the movement spread globally, with British Columbia declaring February 27 as Anti-Bullying Day in 2008 and the United Nations recognizing May 4 as Anti-Bullying Day in 2012.

In Canada, Pink Shirt Day is now celebrated on the last Wednesday of February, raising awareness about bullying prevention, kindness, and inclusion, with the movement continuing to grow.

Learn more about Pink Shirt Day here!

Written by IDEA committee member and Grandview Kids parent, Abby V.

Rare Disease Day is an international event held on February 28 to raise awareness about the impact of rare diseases on people’s lives and to emphasize the need for research. Canadian families with rare illnesses are facing extraordinary challenges. These include misdiagnosis, unnecessary surgeries, social isolation, financial hardship and lack of treatment options.

Read the interview between Abby and Owen’s parents below to learn more about his rare diagnosis of Kleefstra syndrome and his relationship with Grandview Kids.

Q: What does Owen like to do? 

A: He loves to listen to stories, go for drives in the car, watch wrestling with his dad, and dance, bake and snuggle on the couch with his mom. Like a typical little brother, he also loves to torment his sister and looks forward to her visits home from school. 

Q: What is Owen’s diagnosis and how rare is it? 

A: Kleefstra Syndrome, a microdeletion at 9q34.3. At the time of diagnosis in 2010, he was only the 124th person in the world to have Kleefstra Syndrome. With improvements in testing, we now believe there are close to 1000 people worldwide with this diagnosis. 

Q: What is Kleefstra Syndrome? 

A: Kleefstra Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects development and involves many body systems. Those with Kleefstra Syndrome are missing the gene EMHT1 which is a regulator for other genes. Symptoms can include intellectual delay, autism, low tone, seizures and speech delay. 

Q: What signs and symptoms led to Owen’s diagnosis? 

A: Owen was not meeting milestones as a baby which was initially believed to be due to his being born 6 weeks early. However, it soon became obvious that his collection of symptoms may have a genetic basis. His nasal bridge was shortened, he had very low tone and was not gaining weight due to feeding and swallowing issues. 

Q: How was Owen diagnosed? 

A: He underwent local testing, and the results came back as unremarkable. We decided to have him do a test in the U.S. that looks for gene changes in cells called FISH testing (fluorescence in situ hybridisation). At the time, this test was not available in Canada and required extensive paperwork and approvals. Now genetic testing is more routine and easier to obtain. 

Q: How has Grandview Kids helped Owen? 

A: Grandview Kids became a big part of Owen and his family’s life soon after diagnosis. He has accessed vital services for his development and well-being, including medical, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, recreational therapy, social work and family engagement. Grandview Kids helped build a community of support which without, his family would have been lost. Owen has met many of his milestones at Grandview Kids, including his first words, steps and riding a bike. 

Q: If you could go back to the day of Owen’s diagnosis, what advice would you give to yourselves? 

A: Hold on! Seriously, just let him lead and follow his direction. Nothing changed on diagnosis day. He is still the exact same kid; we just got more information. 

Ryan’s ARFID Story 

Written by IDEA committee member and Grandview Kids parent, Abby V.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) occurs from February 1 to 7 annually across Canada. This week is dedicated to raising awareness and developing understanding about eating disorders and how it impacts people’s lives. Eating disorders come in various forms, each with its unique set of challenges and symptoms. In Canada, an estimated 2.7 million people are impacted with approximately 1.4 million of these being youth. Common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). 

Ryan is a sweet, curious and intelligent eight-year-old boy who lives with his doting parents, Ali and Dima, and their beloved cat, Goldie. He loves spending time outdoors in nature collecting leaves, catching bugs, fishing at his family’s cottage and playing at the beach during family vacations. His curiosity is seen through the endless questions he will ask his parents about topics of interest, including numerous studies of science such as physics, space and animals (reptiles and ocean creatures).  

When Ryan’s mom, Dima, was pregnant with Ryan, she was referred to Ontario’s free Healthy Baby Healthy Children program that provided her with a nurse to help guide her through pregnancy and provide postpartum support due to her lack of family in Canada. A few months after his birth, he began to exhibit some alarming signs of concern which included how the way he would play (spinning everything), lightly hitting his head on wall and babbling that ceased at six months. The biggest alert was his refusal to eat solid food.  

Soon after, Ryan’s paediatrician referred him to Grandview Kids. “We were lucky to meet our Grandview Kids doctor after a short waitlist of five months. Ryan was only 18 months old. We feel very fortunate to receive an early diagnosis of mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD) six months later which allowed us to provide early intervention,” recalls Dima. His refusal to eat was still a huge challenge and Dima knew it was not just “picky eating” due to his ASD. She connected with other specialists and parents in the community, which led her to discover Avoidance Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).  

Ryan and his Mom, Dima.

Ryan was referred to Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital to participate in the first ever ARFID study for kids in Ontario and Ryan received an official ARFID diagnosis. As there is a lack of information and programs offered for ARFID for kids under the age of 18, this study was promising but unfortunately did not continue for long. Dima and Ali continued to provide Ryan with unwavering support. At Grandview Kids he accessed services in Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy (OT), Therapeutic Recreation Therapy and went on to private OT and a food explorer therapy program. While the interventions certainly helped Ryan in many areas affected by his ASD, he was still not eating any solid food. They considered applying for costly programs offered in the US, even going as far as communicating with the Ontario Ministry of Health in hopes of securing funding as these vital programs are not offered in Canada. 

Ryan’s turning point was during the Summer of 2024 when his Grandview Kids’ paediatrician suggested the use of an antidepressant medication to curb his anxiety around food. “When he looks at a plate of food, he doesn’t see food. Instead, he sees something scary like spiders. Ryan used to cry when he would see me with a plate of food and would take me to my bedroom thinking he was keeping me safe,” says Dima. At 7.5 years of age, Ryan was finally able to consume solid food for the first time in his life. With the help of his amazing Grandview Kids team consisting of his paediatrician, nurse, and nutritionist who meet monthly to adjust the medication dosage to suit Ryan’s needs, “he is less anxious around food, more willing to play with it and comfortable to try and put it in his mouth.”  

Eating remains a challenge as he will still only eat five food items, often gaining one type only to drop another. Dima shares how “it was stigmatizing for Ryan to drink milk from a bottle at school.” However, she beams with pride and joy because he is now chewing and swallowing food, new skills that he had to learn, and he can go to school with a lunchbox like his peers. His success has really driven his parents to shift their perspective. “Once I stopped comparing him to others, and began comparing him to old versions of himself, I could see the progress. I tell him to be proud of himself. His teacher said he has high self-esteem because of his supportive, loving parents.”  

Feeding Tube Awareness Week, observed from February 2 to 8 this year, aims to increase the understanding of feeding tubes and their critical role in supporting the health and well-being of children with medical complexities. The week promotes best practices, innovations and the lived experiences of families who rely on tube feeding.

Founded in 2011, this initiative has grown into a nationwide movement, with SickKids Hospital launching the first Feeding Tube Awareness Week in Canada in 2020. This global observance, held annually in the first week of February, highlights the life-saving impact of feeding tubes and helps challenge the stigma surrounding them. Families come together each year to share stories and raise awareness of their positive influence on patients’ lives.

Jamilah’s story

Tabitha’s birth plan for her youngest child, Jamilah, was drastically altered when cysts in Jamilah’s brain were discovered at the 20-week scan. This was followed up by testing positive for Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards Syndrome, during the noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) tests and confirmation of the genetic disorder at 32 weeks gestation. Edwards Syndrome affects many body parts, causing health issues that include feeding or sucking difficulties, trouble gaining weight and congenital heart issues. Tabitha’s high-risk pregnancy resulted in an induction at 34 weeks of pregnancy to ensure her team of healthcare professionals would be present to assist her during the birth. 

Jamilah spent nearly three months at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she initially had a Natrogastic (NG) Tube but began projectile vomiting her feeds. Her medical team advised that a Gastrotomy Tube (G-Tube) was her only real option to keep her thriving. Jamilah was transferred to SickKids Hospital for G-Tube insertion and stayed in the hospital for two additional months for growth and stabilization.  

Knowing that you are making the right decision for your child as a parent does not always make it easier. Tabitha had to come to terms with the fact that since there was no other choice, there was no point in being upset. She would learn to make the best of it for her daughter. She recognized that the G-Tube was helping Jamilah thrive, along with other positive changes. Regular feeds made it easier to schedule appointments and her calendar.

As a single mom working from home, a G-Tube alleviated the time spent sitting down and bottle-feeding Jamilah every time she was hungry, as formula can be fed straight through the tube. However, there are challenges attached to having a G-Tube, such as getting outside of the home with all necessary equipment and sometimes requiring stopping on the side of the road to administer a scheduled feed. There is also the learning curve to prevent the tube from being pulled out and what to do if it happens. 

Tabitha’s advice to other parents starting or continuing their G-Tube journey is to “take it all in stride and watch for what your child needs and what will help them thrive.” Becoming a medical parent makes one second guess their own skills and abilities to raise their child effectively, but those parental instincts play a huge role. “Pay attention to your child and not the diagnosis. Nobody knows your child better than you know them. You will know what is working and what is not,” Tabitha reminds fellow parents. It is vital to work collaboratively with your healthcare team but know that you—as mom, dad or caregiver—are the one with your child every day and are their biggest advocator. 

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