Helping Theo Thrive

A Mother’s Story of Hope, Support and a Brighter Tomorrow

A Family Searches for Answers

When my son Theo was two years old, I remember praying for bedtime and sitting next to him while he slept, his beautiful eyes closed and peaceful. I felt heartbroken. My sweet boy’s joy was so big, and the world around him often found it overwhelming.

Theo has big, beautiful green eyes, an infectious smile and a superpower that I hope he never loses: joy. He loves dandelions, will scream as a caterpillar gets safely across the path, and can dream up the most incredible inventions out of ordinary cardboard boxes.

But sometimes, that joy was misunderstood. His big feelings, impulsive actions and difficulty listening to the ideas of others made it hard for him to navigate school and friendships.

By the time Theo reached kindergarten, the phone calls from school had begun. In senior kindergarten, I left a parent-teacher meeting in tears after being told they were at a loss for how to support him. The calls continued into Grade 1.

As a mother, there is nothing quite like hearing that other children don’t want to be friends with your child. My sweet boy, who loves everyone, was struggling, and I knew there had to be more to his story.

Finally Feeling Heard

One morning, feeling desperate to help my son, I googled “pediatrician Thorold” – and as if the universe led me exactly where I needed to be, I found Dr. Agnihotri.

I printed the referral form and hand delivered it to my family doctor with a firm directive. That was where Theo’s story began to change.

At the Pathstone Pediatric Wellness Clinic, I finally felt heard.

Dr. Agnihotri took the time to really get to know Theo. She listened, was calm and kind with him, and gathered a full picture of who he is and what he needed.

In December 2025, Theo received a diagnosis of ADHD. What I will never forget is how Dr. Agnihotri explained it to him. She asked if he had questions and told him that his medicine would be like glasses for his brain.

It was a simple explanation, but it meant so much.

What we received from Pathstone was more than a prescription. We received understanding, encouragement and support. And I found something I desperately needed as a parent: community.

Through Pathstone’s support sessions for parents of children with ADHD, I was able to connect with other parents who understood what our family was experiencing.

A Brighter Future for All of My Children

Our Pathstone story didn’t end with Theo. It continued with my daughter, Millie.

Millie participated in Fear Busters, a six-week program for children experiencing anxiety. The program was free of charge and gave her a safe space to learn about her feelings, build confidence and connect with other children who could relate to her. That sense of belonging is something I could not have given her on my own.

You Make Stories Like Ours Possible

I often joke, in a self-deprecating way, that my “faulty genetics” are the reason my children have mental health challenges. What brings me comfort is knowing that I am also the reason they will have the support they need to be healthy and happy. I am so grateful that I found that support at Pathstone.

You are part of my story. In fact, you are the reason I was able to catch my breath and the reason I know that support is available for my children. Your generosity impacts families like mine.

I hope that when you think about someone your gift supports, you’ll think about my sweet boy with the big green eyes, infectious smile and an imagination that means he has a bright future.

Thank you for helping Theo thrive!

– Mandy

A proud Pathstone parent