Just Dance

This morning, Andrew and I took Brennen to see Luca 'LazyLegs' Patuelli perform and present his "No Excuses. No Limits." program for a sold-out crowd at Easter Seals House! 

His show was similar to the one he presented at City Hall earlier this week, but there was something extra special about watching him do his thing in a space where we often gather with other families who have young ones with disabilities. It was like having a guest in our home who comes with the best of intentions and the warmest of wishes and only wants to see us all succeed and thrive and live our very best lives. It was magical, and Luca touched the hearts of everyone in the room with his positive attitude and uplifting message.

"Keeping an open-mind allows a person to adapt to any situation and find solutions despite feelings of vulnerability or uncertainty. This adaptation, in turn, spawns the persistent determination to see possibilities rather than challenges, breeding the creative thinking that allows people to overcome any obstacle."

After his presentation, Luca offered a workshop for youth and adults with diverse abilities, and Brennen and I were excited to take part in the instruction. Luca had spoken about how it is the slightest movements that make the greatest impact in a performance, and recognizing the value that each particular dancer brings to the piece.

"He understands that different body types and ability levels interpret movements slightly differently. Rather than making imitation of movements the goal, Luca works with dancers to push their boundaries and explore various possibilities which, in turn, allows for unique and emotional connections within the choreographies."

It was incredible to see so many individuals with diverse abilities throw out their inhibitions and use their bodies to create their own unique dance moves. And there were some seriously good dancers in the house!

Like Bella:

And Graysen:

And Hannah:

As a parent, when your child receives a life-altering diagnosis and you are told that he will likely never walk or talk or be able to do anything independently, so many of your hopes are crushed and your dreams go out the window. Thirteen years ago, when our diagnosis was still fresh, I could never have imagined that Brennen and I would be participating in a dance workshop, where his abilities were valued and his movements were celebrated.

Having a child with a disability is not an experience to be pitied, but a joy that makes me feel pretty damn lucky to be living this life, and I know I'm not the only one. Standing around that dance circle in the gymnasium this morning, I felt like the proudest mother there, until I caught the looks on the faces of the other parents and realized that they too felt like the proudest in the room. I am forever grateful for the gift that Brennen is in our lives, and when I attend events like this one, I am reminded of what a privilege it is to be a part of this community. Watching these children, all dancers in their own right, makes me understand even more that every life holds great value and there is infinite beauty in our unique abilities.

Thank you, Luca, for spending time with us and for sharing your talents with our community. Thank you for your meaningful message. And thank you for seeing what we see - that our families are lucky and wonderfully blessed, and our children have so much to offer. I hope you enjoyed your time in Newfoundland. You have certainly left a lasting impression on all of us!

Run, Walk, Stroll & Roll

On September 8th, we participated in the 7th Annual Stroll & Roll for Easter Seals!

This year's event took place in Bowring Park, and participants were able to choose either the the 5K Run or the 2K Walk Challenge. Serious racers could complete the full 5K with other hardcore runners on the South Brook Trail, or anyone wanting to take it easy could cruise the 2K course at their own pace around the park. (We picked the latter).

The Stroll & Roll raises much needed funds to allow Easter Seals NL to continue to offer quality programs and services for children and youth with disabilities right here in our province.

We look forward to the Stroll & Roll every year because as much as it is about raising funds, it is also about bringing together a community - families, children, parents and caregivers, all united by a common thread: we live with, or support persons with disabilities. I have written many times about how important it has been for me to connect with other parents who are experiencing similar challenges, and I am lucky to now have so many friends in this community. It's the people we meet at events like this one who help me to think differently about disability and help to bring more understanding and acceptance to this sometimes intimidating journey.

The Stroll & Roll is open to anyone and everyone, and this year, we invited some of Brennen's friends and supporters to join our team! Here are some photos from the day!

After the walk, there was a barbecue for all participants and some really fun lawn games set up in the park. My sister brought her little girl out with us for the afternoon, and she had a blast! They have just recently moved back home to Newfoundland, and it is so nice that they will now be able to join us for events like this one. She is the sweetest!

There was live entertainment by local group, Junction Road, and they were fabulous! Brennen loved the music, and had a few dances with Nanny!

We found some painted rocks throughout the park, including this one that we all thought was very fitting.

And we even spotted some secret fairy doors leading into some of the biggest trees. 

We had a wonderful time strolling and rolling with some very special people supporting a very special cause. The weather was just right for this time of year and made for the perfect send off to summer. Even though the kids are back to school, it is still technically summer for another couple of weeks, and this day will be one of our favourite memories from this summer, for sure!

Thanks to everyone who joined us, who sponsored our team, or who has shown their support in other ways. If you would still like to donate, it's not too late! Help us help Easter Seals meet their goal of raising $20,000 to support their programs and services for persons with disabilities! 

Click HERE to donate!

Everyone Can Play

A while back, I wrote about the grand plans that Easter Seals NL had in the works for a new accessible park and playground (see that post HERE). Well, a year has passed, and the state-of-the-art playground is now a reality! The grand opening was held on June 14th, and since then, the play space has been full with children of all ages and abilities playing together. It is a beautiful thing!

This is the first fully accessible and inclusive playground in our province, and it was greatly needed. All children should have the opportunity to play!

Before now, Brennen and I would drive by neighbourhood parks without a second thought. I knew he couldn't play there. The bumps and steps were a barrier, and the wheels of his chair would get stuck in the pea gravel before we even got to the play equipment. It was no use even trying.

This new playground on the grounds of Easter Seals House on Mt. Scio Road is more than just accessible. It is welcoming to all children, regardless of ability. Children here can play together, make friends, take risks, and challenge themselves to try something new.

In addition to offering a wonderful experience for our children, this playground offers a reprieve and a sense of normalcy to families like mine who face significant challenges on a daily basis. This is a place where we can let our kids just be kids, and not worry about whether or not they will fit in, or if they will be able to participate. Brennen still needs help to interact with many of the features of the play structure, but the ramps and soft surface make it easy to navigate and fun to explore.

This playground is just Phase 1 of the Easter Seals NL Accessible Park Project. Future plans include a gazebo, sensory garden, amphitheatre and hardcourt surface. We can't wait for that!

Here are some photos from our time at the playground!

If you would like to help support Easter Seals NL programs for children with disabilities living in our province, or if you would just like to spend the day hanging out with Brennen and I, join us in Bowring Park on September 8th for the Run, Walk, Stroll & Roll! Click HERE for details!