If you are new here, welcome. If you are looking for thebumpandhustle.com, welcome to something new.

Hi. I’m Kat. I’m a writer, content creator, advocate, and disabled mom of two that lives in Toronto, along with my husband Heath, and my dog Rolo. I live with multiple autoimmune diseases (Crohn’s Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), POTS (a form of Dysautonomia), Fibromyalgia and spondyloarthritis among others. Seriously, this is why I call myself ‘The Autoimmutant’). I also rely on multiple mobility aids (cane, rollator, Alinker) to get around.

Writing and storytelling has always been integral to the way I process my life. I started my first blog Thebumpandhustle.com in 2010 after the birth of my eldest, Vee. The blog chronicled motherhood and pregnancy (the bump) and my life as an entrepreneur – my hustle – I know, cute, right?! Over the years my lighthearted posts took on a different tone, and started popping up in different places. I wrote about miscarriage and grief, divorce and relationships, blended families, and my chronic health challenges.  I was a featured blogger for YMC, had posts published at Huffington Post, and Metro News – and I made appearances on radio and TV.

I had also started acting and producing film alongside the creative and strategic consulting I was doing at the time. Life was full.

Then in 2018, I had a life-changing health experience. I had an atypical stroke-like reaction to a biologic that I was taking for my Crohn’s and spondylitis. I ended up in hospital and stroke-neuro rehab for a month, and had to fight to get from a wheelchair to where I am now – on my healing journey.

The last couple years have repeatedly exposed me to the themes of healing, accessibility, body image, and body acceptance; and I’ve been focused on exploring self-worth and self-love through the lens of disability while helping others to thrive along the way.

Here’s where I let it all land.

Welcome to my beautiful mess.

XO Kat