Those who know our friend Sheena know that she makes this world a vastly more interesting place.


Despite living her entire life with chronic depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities just to name a few, she has managed to weather her struggles living as a neurodivergent person in a world not built for those like her. She has gotten by on what she could through student loans and financial aid, but the ceiling on how much she can receive through these programs is approaching imminently. We are therefore trying to rally all those who can help. 

For those who may not be as close with her, Sheena is a PhD student and progressive arts educator in Montreal, Canada. She has degrees from Concordia University, the Royal Conservatory of Scotland and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. A brilliant human and talented artist, her honesty and empathy positively influence the lives of all those who encounter her - friends, family, students, animals, and arts community members alike. Lifelong attempts with every available method have proven her neurological differences to be extremely treatment resistant - only her emotional support malamute, Silence, having ever made any positive difference to her existence. Sheena has known for years that although conventional methods have and would continue to fail her, what she needs is a plan more attuned to her reality. She has therefore decided to respect her instincts and bring herself closer to nature, finally distancing herself from an over-stimulating urban environment.

As such, in August 2021 Sheena will be moving to a cosy cabin in Beaumont, an approximately thirty minute drive outside Quebec City. She will be living there, with her dog Silence, for at least nine months while she focuses on completing her PhD. Finishing her degree will provide her with the opportunity to get a job teaching in arts education at a university level. Not only will this provide her with a financial stability she has never had before, it will also give her life the emotional comfort that comes with being valued, appreciated and compensated for working in a field for which she has dedicated her entire life. However Sheena’s academic work will also impact the world outside of herself. Sheena has always had to jump the extra hurdles of an academic system that rarely compromises to the needs of the neurodivergent. It is through her work in a doctorate that combines elements of performance, psychology, philosophy and education that she will be able to pave the way for a healthier learning experience in the future to students who live with differences as she does.

While at the cabin, she will have many expenses related both to regular living as well as catering to her health needs. A non-exhaustive list of these expenses includes rent and utilities, car maintenance (a necessity for where she will be living), insurance and fuel, ongoing mental health counselling, emergency caregiving, expenses related to caring for Silence, food and household amenities. 

The initial goal of this campaign is to raise enough money to support Sheena for the first leg of her time in Beaumont. We hope to raise $8000 to help her with the costs mentioned. We ask that you consider giving anything you can to help us reach this goal and to help spread the word to all of your own family and friends and ask for their help as well. Whether or not you are yourself able to donate financially, the more you share her story and advocate for her, the more help she can receive. A simple re-post is always helpful - but including a short message about your own connection to this campaign can be even better. Please do all you can to help our friend - we love her so dearly and truly believe that Sheena is incredibly deserving of our support. 

Let's help Sheena finish her PhD, so she can continue to make this world a vastly more interesting place.

Thank you so much for reading - thank you so much for caring.