Wings of Change - Peer Support
Coordinator
Debi Mohns Joyce R.N.
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Debi has always wanted to help others. She learned this from watching her father growing up. Help others but don't ask for help. It was important to pay it forward. On her father's encouragement, she became a nurse.
However, years of being "at the bedside", trying to ignore and self-medicate her symptoms, she finally broke. She couldn't just move on - suck it up - let it roll off her back, anymore. Her attempts to help herself were failing. The years of witnessing others traumas would start to emerge.
While in residential treatment and misdiagnosed, she witnessed another traumatic event and initiated the emergency response. The symptoms became magnified. She was no longer self-medicating with alcohol and drugs. Debi could see things clearer, now. The 30+ years of helping her patients and their loved ones, 10 of which she worked in Emergency, this had a massive impact on her. She had PTSD.
Debi admitted herself into another treatment facility and this is where she found Wings of Change. Wings meetings became a pivotal part of her recovery. She was given the role of facilitator and ensured the meeting was left in good hands. Debi continues to be an active participant in our meetings.
Debi has always wanted to help people. She has been a member of a 12 Step program for over 27 years; giving back to others what was given to her.
Together, we can heal our wounds.
Co-Director
Robin Wright
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Robin is a former Advanced Care Paramedic and Acting Superintendent with 18 years’ experience in the field of Paramedicine. After receiving a work-related diagnosis of PTSD, Robin was struggling to find support resources locally. This led her to open the first Ottawa chapter of Wings of Change in 2017.
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Robin received her certificate in Peer and Trauma Support Systems (P.A.T.S.S.) through the Mood Disorders Society of Canada in 2018 and is a valuable member of the PATSS team of peer support trainers for Mood Disorders Society of Canada. Robin also continues to work with several peer support organizations in Ottawa and across Canada.
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The support Robin received through Wings of Change has been an integral part of her healing journey. As a strong advocate for First Responder mental health, Robin strives to share the positive benefits of peer support with all front-line professionals who are on their journey back to wellness.
Co-Director
Tonia Ferguson
Tonia is the wife of a firefighter and mother of two daughters. In 2014 her husband Bob was diagnosed with cumulative PTSD. As Tonia learned more about PTSD through their family's journey, she became frustrated with her lack of knowledge and felt that she should have been the first line of defense. It was at this time that the Ferguson family made a pact to help provide support and education to others once Bob was stable. Tonia knows firsthand how critical peer support was to her family, and that their success came from knowing they were never alone.
In 2017, Tonia assisted in organizing a mental health evening for local first responders and their families. She was part of a team that started the Wings of Change North Durham Chapter, where she provided administrative support for the group. Tonia was the lead on extending the WOC program to include family peer support, which was launched in January 2020. In March of 2022, she obtained her Peer & Trauma Support System (P.A.T.S.S.) certificate through the Mood Disorders of Canada. Currently, she is a Family Peer Support facilitator and a member of the P.A.T.S.S. team.
Tonia is passionate about giving back and sharing her family’s story with others. She has become an advocate for helping first responder families dealing with PTSD and Operational stress.