Our Organisation
February 12, 2026DYSPHAGIECANADA.ORG — THE VOICE THAT WAS MISSING
Dysphagiecanada was born from a simple yet deeply moving realization: in this country, millions of people live every day with a swallowing disorder… and yet, we almost never talk about it.
Dysphagia remains an issue that is misunderstood, minimized, and often invisible.
It affects babies, adults, seniors, people who are ill, injured, or in rehabilitation. It impacts entire families.
And despite all this, it stays in the shadows.
We decided to change that.
Why We Exist
Our mission was born from a human need urgent, essential:
To inform, support, and restore dignity to all those who live with swallowing difficulties, as well as to their loved ones, who too often carry this challenge in silence and isolation.
Dysphagia is not just a medical issue.
It is a quality-of-life issue.
It is a human dignity issue.
It is a social issue.
Long before it existed on paper, Dysphagiecanada already existed in my heart.
The idea took shape while I was writing my adapted recipe book “I Can Eat Too”.
As the pages unfolded, I realized just how much dysphagia was surrounded by silence… and how painful that silence was.
I saw people avoiding family meals, skipping outings, losing the pleasure of eating, sometimes even losing their social voice.
As I dug deeper, I discovered that in several countries, the month of June is dedicated to dysphagia awareness.
A moment to inform, to break isolation, to support, to recognize.
But in Canada… nothing.
No official recognition.
No dedicated month.
No national voice.
So I decided not to wait any longer and to take a citizen-led step toward national change.
I wrote, rewrote, refined, structured.
And I submitted an official request to the federal government for Canada to recognize a National Dysphagia Awareness Month.
Because every person living with dysphagia deserves to be seen.
Because every parent, every caregiver, every child deserves to be heard.
Because eating is not just nourishment: it is a right, a pleasure, a human connection, a dignity.
A Dedicated, Human, and Committed Team
Behind Dysphagiecanada are people who said yes without hesitation.
People who offered their time, their hearts, and their expertise to advance a cause that has been forgotten for far too long.
Team Members
• France Grondin — Founder
• René Lafontaine — Advisor
• Linda Grondin — English Media Lead & Translation
• Suzanne Lafontaine — Graphic Design
• Dany Bérubé — Journalist
• Michel Sans Cartier — Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, Université de Montréal; Nutritionist at the Dysphagia Clinic, IUGM
• Jessica-Mai Nguyen — Nutritionist
• Taqwa Cherrak — Speech-Language Pathologist
Each person brings an essential piece of the puzzle.
Together, we have chosen to make noise for those who are not heard.
OUR COMMITMENT
Dysphagiecanada is committed to:
• Breaking the silence surrounding dysphagia
• Informing the public with rigor and humanity
• Supporting those affected and their loved ones
• Amplifying the voices of those living with this condition
• Advocating for national recognition and concrete action
Because dysphagia is not rare.What’s rare is that we talk about it.
