Dialogue with families is an essential element in directing care and services toward the real needs of patients. In order to encourage patients and their families to become more engaged in their care experience, several MUSCO projects aim to equip them with the tools they need in order to learn about the healthcare system and its stakeholders. In addition, when they wish, families can play an active role in their own care journey through specific projects led by the Initiative. The goal of this is to ensure that families have an integrative experience that provides them with tangible opportunities and the empowerment they need to get involved if they so choose.
MUSCO Event
Project leaders
The project
Organize an annual event for families with a unifying theme
MUSCO Strategic Goal
Facilitate inter-institutional collaboration and dialogue for the benefit of patients, across the Initiative and beyond
Project Objectives
Progress Report
5 editions of the annual MUSCO event have been held since the launch of the Initiative.
To watch or re-watch the lectures, the family forum and families’ video testimonials, visit our Resources section.
My spine is curvy, let's talk about it! 2025 (6th edition)
The annual MUSCO event is back for a sixth edition !
This free event is primarily aimed at parents, families and caregivers of children with scoliosis (idiopathic, neuromuscular, syndromic, congenital or early-onset) and who wish to learn more about the subject. Professionals are also welcome to attend if they wish to learn more about the resources available and issues faced by the families they work with.
Topics will include: The different types of scoliosis, surgical and non-surgical treatments, the impact of scoliosis and resources available to families.
The conferences will be presented in person at the CHU Sainte-Justine and in virtual format
All the details and opening of the registration will come out in the next weeks.
My leg is different, let's talk about it! 2024 (5th edition)
MUSCO’s annual event was back for its fifth edition, bringing together nearly 150 participants online and on-site at CHU Sainte-Justine! This year’s event brought together families and friends of children with congenital lower limb deformities, as well as professionals, speakers, panelists and community organizations for a stimulating and enriching networking experience. Guests of honor Élias, Stéphanie, Tony, Lisa Marie, Julie, Mark and Luca delivered touching and highly encouraging testimonials.
Among the conditions discussed were angular and rotational deformities of the lower limbs, clubfoot and other congenital foot deformities, spina bifida, arthrogryposis, congenital lower limb length inequalities (ILMI) and developmental hip dysplasia.
Videos of the lectures will be available shortly in the Resource section.
Adapted Sports: Have fun and be healthy! 2023 (4th edition)
The fourth edition of the annual event also marked the return of in-person events: more than 100 people participated in the event Adapted Sports: Have fun and be Healthy!, in person and virtually, for a series of conferences and discussions on various themes, around three components: the benefits, access and practice of adapted sport. Families were able to learn more about the subject and discuss with professionals and community organizations in the area.
A new feature of the program this year was that Guests of Honor were able to share their experiences as athletes and parents of athletes throughout the day.
The conference videos are available in the Resources section.
Skeletal Dysplasia, Let's Talk About It! 2021 (3rd Edition)
Held in a virtual format for a second consecutive year, the third edition of the annual MUSCO event focused this time on the theme of skeletal dysplasia. Families, professionals and community partners, among others, gathered for a half-day filled with rich content! The morning’s program included a mix of conferences and testimonials on various topics related to genetics, medical follow-up, rehabilitation, different surgeries as well as socio-community resources and issues.
The event was divided into 3 blocks reflecting the chronology of major events in the life of a child with skeletal dysplasia:
- Block 1: From birth
- Block 2: The period from childhood to adolescence
- Block 3 : On the way to adulthood
Cerebral Palsy, Let's Talk About It! 2020 (2nd Edition)
Following the success of the first edition of this event and due to pandemic-related restrictions, a new virtual formula was developed to explore three themes identified in the satisfaction survey of the previous edition in more depth: (1) medical concerns and rehabilitation, (2) surgery and (3) social and community issues. In addition to attending the various virtual presentations, participants were encouraged to interact and ask questions, with discussion slots scheduled at the end of the morning.
Cerebral Palsy, Let's Talk About It! 2019 (1st Edition )
In the morning, various speakers talked about preventive treatments and surgical approaches for certain deformities. In the afternoon, participants were invited to interact during a family forum on the favourable conditions enabling children to transition to an active life, the reconciliation of the impacts of motor deficiency with family life and family involvement in improvement projects. In addition, 18 community organizations and stakeholders hosted booths in the Exhibitors’ Hall to answer families’ questions.