A neighbourhood cafe in west Toronto has emerged as a hub for its growing community. However, the owners — united by a love of soccer — are doing more than just providing a caffeine fix; they’re fostering a culture of belonging through a passion for the sport.

Cindy Ouellet is determined to build herself a new hip. The six-time Paralympian, who will soon begin her PhD in Neuroscience at Laval University, intends to create a prosthetic that is more technologically advanced and comfortable to wear than her current build. Ouellet is among a number of Paralympians paving a new path in the medical field as they seek answers on their own diagnoses, develop unique solutions, and defy expectations of their capabilities.

While the opportunity for Olympian parents to access a nursery may indicate progress at the Games, many women athletes continue to feel under supported, under-resourced, and underfunded during their family planning and motherhood years.