Barbarah and Len urgently need our support.

Barb and Len are an inspiring pair. Longtime locals to Nelson, BC, they have contributed so much to this community, both individually and as a team - including starting The Kootenay Bakery Cafe Co-op, a wonderful hub for our community after 25 years...

This past year has been increasingly difficult for both of them. As Barbarah has faced serious health challenges, each and every day has been a walk into the unknown with multiple setbacks and few breakthroughs. Through a western medical lens, Barbarah has been grappling with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, but is looking at alternative and traditional health perspectives to find a path forward.

Barbarah is facing pain, discomfort, and greatly reduced capacity, so most days are demanding to say the least. Her mobility, sleep, comfort, and daily functioning have been deeply affected. She continues to strive for solutions and ways to move forward with grace.

As Barbarah’s health challenges have intensified, Len has been by her side through this demanding time. With so much care and attention needed at home, paid work has had to take a back seat, creating financial pressure at an already difficult time.

They both are in need of a break, and more support to see them through this trying time.

Funds raised will help cover daily care for Barbarah, essential living expenses, and supportive therapies that may improve Barbarah’s comfort, mobility, health, quality of life and recovery.

Barbarah has spent her life giving deeply to others. A visionary, artist, mentor, educator, and gifted poet, she has inspired and accompanied many people through meaningful life transitions and journeys of reconnecting with their hearts. She has helped shape progressive, human-centred education, founded liberating programs for youth, mentored educators through deep biographical work, and supported school projects internationally.

Now they need that same community to gather around them.

Please contribute as you are able, or share this fundraiser to widen the circle of support around Barbarah and Len.

Thank you for helping show them that they do not have to carry this alone.

Feel free to use the script below if you chose to share by email or on social media.

Please help support Barbarah and Len through a very difficult season. Barbarah is facing serious health challenges, and funds raised will help with daily care, living costs, respite, and supportive therapies. Barbarah and Len have given so much to the Nelson community — including through their well-known local bakery The Kootenay Bakery Cafe. Barbarah has spent her life contributing as an artist, mentor, educator, poet, and advocate for deep listening and human-centred education. If you’re able, please donate or share this fundraiser widely.