Grant: Operating Grant

The early years play a crucial role that extend far beyond childhood. Research has shown that challenges facing adult society, including mental health, obesity, criminality competence in reading and writing have their roots in early childhood. Health Canada has stated that having a parent with a chronic illness, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), puts children 'at risk.' However surprisingly little is known about what these risks are or what could be done about them. MS is a chronic illness which often first starts in early adulthood, at a life stage when parenting is an important issue for many. MS affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to disability and coordination problems; its cause is unknown. Both BC and Canada as a whole have some of the highest prevalence rates of MS in the world, with three more Canadians being diagnosed with MS every day. Our study will be one of the first to investigate developmental well-being in children with a parent affected by MS. Our research will link important province-wide data from both the education and health systems to investigate differences in the quality of stimulation, support and nurturing that children receive by the time they reach kindergarten. Our findings could then be used by communities and government to put programs and policies in place to support healthy child development for children in families affected by a parent with a chronic illness such as MS. Insights from this research may also help other patient groups, such as families affected by cancer and other chronic diseases, thereby helping to maximize the potential of all children.