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Victoria鈥檚 Gillian Carleton, Olympic bronze-medal cyclist, was diagnosed with depression after medalling in the London Olympics in 2012, but believes it has been with her for years.

The Children鈥檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has as strong a commitment as ever to young people with disabilities or health issues. In April, foundation officials announced the largest annual investment in its 90-year history 鈥� $3.

I remember the first time that I held Jonah in my arms. I looked down at this small and beautiful boy and thought about what a precious gift I鈥檇 been given.

The golf tournament that has brought professionals like Adam Hadwin, Steve Stricker and Mike Weir to Victoria over the years once again has the Children鈥檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island as its charity of choice.

One of the most recognized facilities under the Children鈥檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island umbrella is Jeneece Place, a 鈥渉ome away from home鈥� for families that travel to Victoria with a child requiring hospital care.

The youngest patients can have some of the most serious neurological and behavioural issues.

It all started with the Women鈥檚 Institutes of British Columbia, which decided in 1922 that something needed to be done for the health of our children. More specifically, using the terminology of the day, crippled children.

When I first got into occupational therapy, people told me to keep my options open, but I knew regardless of what my job title was I would spend my career working with kids.

Zo毛 Newson hopes that talking about her experiences can make a difference for other young people facing mental illness. 鈥淚 know my story is not unique,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are tons of kids and youth out there suffering with mental-health issues.

When I was a pre-med student in Alberta, I worked two summers at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.