{"id":11408,"date":"2026-10-15T14:03:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationduchum.com\/?post_type=testimonial&p=11408"},"modified":"2026-10-27T10:00:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T14:00:55","slug":"caregiver-building-a-family","status":"publish","type":"testimonial","link":"https:\/\/fondationduchum.com\/en\/why-give\/your-testimonials\/caregiver-building-a-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a family together, despite the fear"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Martin<\/figure>
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When Martin Mena first met Emmanuelle Champagne<\/a>, 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\u2019t know yet, was that this encounter would lead to them building a family he had always dreamed of.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Looking beyond the diagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Martin first heard Emmanuelle\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI thought to myself, this could be a wonderful person to have around. I had nothing to lose by getting to know her better,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little by little, their relationship took root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to live with chronic pain every day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Martin moved in with Emmanuelle, that\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2014and it is constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, every day requires a certain amount of planning. Each activity must be carefully paced and periods of rest are essential to Emmanuelle\u2019s well-being. Yet, despite these constraints, both she and Martin share a same desire to embrace life to the fullest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEmmanuelle loves doing things. She loves being active. Thinking she\u2019s going to miss out on life because of her condition\u2026 you evidently don\u2019t know her very well,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How the CHUM made their dream of becoming parents a reality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early on in their relationship, Martin and Emmanuelle knew they wanted to start a family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when the CHUM stepped in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Emmanuelle\u2019s story too<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their local hospital referred Emmanuelle to the Centre hospitalier de l\u2019Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al (CHUM)<\/a>, where teams could provide care tailored to the many complexities of her situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Martin, who as her caregiver accompanies her to every appointment, this level of support was extremely reassuring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Building a family with the support of the CHUM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Today, Martin speaks with admiration about Emmanuelle and her role in their family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEmmanuelle loves being a mom and she\u2019s such a wonderful mother!\u201d, he simply states.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

While Emmanuelle devotes her energy to their children\u2019s well-being, Martin does his best to take on the physical tasks that could aggravate his partner\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMy goal is to make sure Emmanuelle has the energy she needs to enjoy the most rewarding moments with our children,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> and the Pain Management Centre<\/a>, continue to support them and maintain a reassuring presence in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to their specialized expertise, these teams have helped Martin and Emmanuelle turn an uncertain prospect into the family they always dreamed of building.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Martin<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Acting faster than disease means helping more patients and families like Martin and Emmanuelle\u2019s find hope, receive compassionate support and access the specialized care that makes dreams possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make a donation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n