When Martin Mena first met Emmanuelle Champagne, he knew that she was living with a significant physical disability, relying on her cane and a service dog to help her navigate a long and challenging medical journey. What he didn’t know yet, was that this encounter would lead to them building a family he had always dreamed of.
Looking beyond the diagnosis
Martin first heard Emmanuelle’s name when he was still in college, but ten years would pass before his sister-in-law introduced him to one of her closest friends. When their paths first crossed, Martin knew that Emmanuelle had recently experienced serious health issues and that, as a result, her day-to-day life came with certain challenges. Still, he chose to look beyond the diagnosis and give their relationship a chance.
“I thought to myself, this could be a wonderful person to have around. I had nothing to lose by getting to know her better,” he recalls.
As they spent time together, Martin offered Emmanuelle the compassion and attentive ear she needed. On their walks, he discovered a determined, curious woman who deeply valued her independence. A woman who refused to let chronic pain define who she was.
Little by little, their relationship took root.
Learning to live with chronic pain every day
When Martin moved in with Emmanuelle, that’s when he truly began to understand what living with chronic pain meant. Following two episodes of cauda equina syndrome, the nerves at the base of Emmanuelle’s spine were damaged. Her most debilitating, ongoing symptom is pain in her back and lower limbs. This pain is most intense in the soles of her feet—and it is constant.
Therefore, every day requires a certain amount of planning. Each activity must be carefully paced and periods of rest are essential to Emmanuelle’s well-being. Yet, despite these constraints, both she and Martin share a same desire to embrace life to the fullest.
“Emmanuelle loves doing things. She loves being active. Thinking she’s going to miss out on life because of her condition… you evidently don’t know her very well,” he explains.
Rather than focusing on what they can no longer do together, this duo chooses to focus on what is possible. Their activities may sometimes take a different form, but what matters most is spending quality time together.
How the CHUM made their dream of becoming parents a reality
Early on in their relationship, Martin and Emmanuelle knew they wanted to start a family.
Like many important life decisions, however, this dream came with periods of doubt and uncertainty. Given her health condition, Emmanuelle needed to consult several specialists to determine whether pregnancy would be a safe and viable option.
That’s when the CHUM stepped in.
Their local hospital referred Emmanuelle to the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), where teams could provide care tailored to the many complexities of her situation.
For Martin, who as her caregiver accompanies her to every appointment, this level of support was extremely reassuring.
“We received excellent care and had regular follow-ups. At the CHUM, they always took the time to properly explain everything to us. It was truly comprehensive care that looked at the whole picture.”
Healthcare professionals at the CHUM took the necessary time to explain the issues involved, assess the risks and coordinate the care she needed. This approach gave the couple the confidence to move forward.
Building a family with the support of the CHUM
Today, Martin speaks with admiration about Emmanuelle and her role in their family.
“Emmanuelle loves being a mom and she’s such a wonderful mother!”, he simply states.
While Emmanuelle devotes her energy to their children’s well-being, Martin does his best to take on the physical tasks that could aggravate his partner’s chronic pain, such as changing diapers, preparing meals, and carrying the children up and down stairs. Working from home allows him to meet his professional responsibilities, while also being there when Emmanuelle needs him.
“My goal is to make sure Emmanuelle has the energy she needs to enjoy the most rewarding moments with our children,” he explains.
Together, Martin and Emmanuelle have welcomed two children and are expecting the arrival of a third bundle of joy in 2027. The CHUM teams, particularly those at the Pregnancy and Disability Clinic and the Pain Management Centre, continue to support them and maintain a reassuring presence in their lives.
Thanks to their specialized expertise, these teams have helped Martin and Emmanuelle turn an uncertain prospect into the family they always dreamed of building.
Acting faster than disease means helping more patients and families like Martin and Emmanuelle’s find hope, receive compassionate support and access the specialized care that makes dreams possible.