Monica Gärtner was born with a rare bone disease Osteogenesis Imperfecta where her bones break easily. She has had hundreds of fractures. Despite her challenges in the spring of 2023, Monica’s journey took a dramatic turn when she faced a life-threatening ordeal with both her lungs collapsing, she almost died. Due to her traumatic experience she received the Courage to Come Back Award in 2024 sponsored by Coast Mental Health. Monica was nominated for the Woman of Distinction award in 2025 for her creation of the Canadian Assisted Travel Society. She is an actor, freelance writer, speaker, and a published author of Overcoming the Impossible: A Life of Trials and Triumphs.