Defying the Myth: The Invisible Burden of Caregiving

Caring for a child with severe disabilities isn’t just about love—it’s a daily fight for resources, support, and dignity. In Ottawa, families navigate a complex system of medical care, funding applications, and housing barriers, all while ensuring their child gets the best possible quality of life. For single parents, the challenges multiply, as they face both social stigma and bureaucratic hurdles that demand they constantly “prove” their need for help.

Acclaimed photographer Carol Allen-Storey captures this struggle—and the profound love that sustains it—in Defying the Myth, a powerful photo series documenting the resilience of parents raising children with disabilities. More than just hardship, her images reveal the unbreakable bonds, the small triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way.

See the full collection here:
Defying the Myth – Carol Allen-Storey

At Living Larger, we know that caregiving is both an act of love and a fight for dignity. If you’ve faced similar challenges, what lessons have you learned? We’d love to feature your story in a future issue.