Awareness Days

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is a global celebration of volunteers. It takes place every year on December 5 to shine a light on the impact of volunteer efforts everywhere. Volunteers are leading social change around the world. This special day promotes the work of volunteers at all levels, including local, national and international. This year, the UN marks IVD by recognizing the power of collective action: if everyone did.

If everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place.  Imagine more than eight billion of us volunteering. Limitless possibilities for sustainable development – food and education for everyone, a clean environment and good health, inclusive and peaceful societies, and more.

In honour of National Volunteer Day, we recently interviewed Grandview Kids’ most famous volunteers: Robyn and her mini horse, Tulip!

Tell us about Tulip!

Tulip was born in Columbus, Ohio, seven years ago. I travelled to the farm where she was born to meet her … and I fell in love the moment I saw her. But, before I committed to bringing her to our farm, I contacted Grandview Kids to find out if this little therapy horse could visit the children, and she has been welcomed for the past five years, bringing happiness and love to Grandview Kids, their caregivers and the Grandview staff, who can be heard to say, ‘Oh I did not want to miss Tulip today!

How long have you and Tulip been volunteering at Grandview Kids?

I love volunteering at Grandview Kids, seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as they pet and love Tulip – often giving her a big kiss or making pictures or Remembrance Day Poppies for her, observing the anxiety of children about receiving their Botox injections vanish as they stroke Tulip; feeling their pride when they lead Tulip unassisted around the waiting area; and marvelling at the accomplishments … like the child whose mother told me her child was non-verbal outside the home, but he whispered “Hello Tulip” in her ear.

How has this inspired you to join our Board of Trustees?

My husband, Bradley, and I were first introduced to Grandview Kids over 10 years ago when we decided that the proceeds from the McHappy Day fundraising from our McDonald’s in Ajax would go to Grandview Kids. We love Grandview Kids and are in awe of the amazing work done for so many children in the Durham Region.  

My work with Tulip has made me even more aware of the dreams being fulfilled at Grandview Kids, and I wanted to do more. I have a Doctorate in Law (as well as B.Comm, LLB, and LLM) with a background in Law, university teaching and management. I have served on several not-for-profit boards, the most recent being Trent University where I was honoured for my service by being named Governor Emeritus, so when an opportunity arose to serve on the Board of Trustees at Grandview Kids, I knew where I wanted to serve.

I am so proud to be a Trustee at Grandview Kids, and I look forward to many years in two roles Trustee and Tulip’s caregiver and companion during Grandview Kids’ visits.

Follow Tulip on Socials:

• Facebook @tuliptheminihorse
• Instagram @touchoftulip

In 1992, The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as International Day for People with Disabilities. This annual day of observance aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities and celebrate their achievements.

27-year-old Amanda is a Grandview Kids Grad with a disability of left-side hemiparesis cerebral palsy, which affects her left arm and leg. Amanda has been a part of Grandview Kids since the age of six-months-old. At Grandview Kids, she received Physiotherapy to help with strengthening her leg muscles, Occupational Therapy to work on fine motor skills, Speech-Language Pathology to build on communication clarity and efficacy, and Botox injections to help reduce spasms in her muscles.

Amanda is a major advocate for people with disabilities. She has shown time and time again how her disability does not limit her. A notable moment of personal achievement was when she made a goal to learn how to drive and successfully earned her driver’s license. She is also always encouraging the growth of other Grandview Kids peers. As an adolescent, she was a founding member of Grandview Kids’ Youth Advisory Council (YAC) to give voice to the unique challenges of disabled youth.

Since embarking on her own journey outside of Grandview Kids, she began a role at the Abilities Centre as a Mixed Ability Sports Facilitator and Ambassador. Her role focuses on making sports/sports clubs accessible and inclusive. She participates in coaching clinics to teach others how to run a mixed-ability sports program. She also provides ambassador training by going to schools to teach students and/or athletes how mixed-ability sports can be successful. “It makes me so happy to see others like me joining sports like everyone else, being on the same team whether you’re disabled or not.”

More recently, Amanda was part of the Steering Committee to build the Grandview Kids Adolescent Transition Program. Her lived experience was an essential asset to the Steering Committee by providing vital insight into the gap in service support and resources between adolescence and adulthood for those with disabilities. With her help, the Adolescent Transition Program Toolkit was built and serves as a roadmap for youth and their caregivers. The program launch has been well-received, and her efforts led her to become the 2023 “Spirit of Grandview Kids Award” grad winner of the Elexicon Energy Dream Big, Dream Brighter Awards dinner.

Thank you, Amanda, for being a true advocate for people with disabilities during your time as a Grandview Kids client and even now as a grad! Your work and achievements are inspiring!

On National Child Day, we recognize Canada’s commitment to uphold the rights of children. This year’s theme is “Inclusion for Every Child,” which includes children and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs. Jacki N., a Peer Navigator on the Family Engagement Team, has four children (one being a Grandview Kids client) and talks about how “Inclusion for Every Child” is in their home.

“Everything can be inclusive; we just need to make it.

I have four children; they are completely different from each other, yet the same. They all want food (summers are filled with snack requests), need water, get overtired without enough sleep, love to have fun and make multiple messes while doing so and need LOVE. I believe each of them is living their best childhood, and I hope one day, when they reflect on it, they will think the same.

Our second son was born with a rare seizure disorder called Dravet Syndrome, and his life is very different because of it. Eating for him involves following his strict Ketogenic diet (no carbs, no sweets and high in fat), water must be Fiji water (causes fewer seizures for him), and sleep is important so he doesn’t become overtired and have seizures. Some days are filled with seizures and are not fun for him or any of us. On those days, we all make sure we spend time with Colton, giving him love. Love is hugs and reading story books, and it is his siblings trying to make him smile and putting a favourite show on his iPad. Love is me sleeping beside him on the floor so he is not scared or his Dad playing his favourite songs on the guitar. 

All children have the same basic wants and rights. They all deserve love and community, EVEN though it may look different. Parenting a child with high needs has truly taught me how creativity and want can make everything inclusive. Children are often the most creative beings. Let’s start by asking them how they would ensure everyone is included. By teaching and showing our children how this can be done, we are making the world more inclusive for generations to come. It is not how we eat, the water we drink or the child’s definition of fun that is important. What is most important is showing them love, and we do this by simply making them smile.”

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a festival of lights celebrated by many people all around the world. Based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali will be celebrated on November 12 this year. Diwali is a joyous occasion when we come together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is observed differently by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, creating diverse traditions.

Suvaathy V., a #TeamGrandview Staff writes:

“In my Hindu family, we prepare for Diwali by decluttering, dusting, and decorating the house with vibrant rangoli designs, oil lamps, and colourful lights to symbolize the removal of negativity and the welcoming of positive energy.

During Diwali, we visit our local temple, offer prayers, and seek blessings for prosperity. We light small oil lamps called diyas at home as they represent the illumination of the inner self. We sing songs and tell stories about why Diwali is such a special and happy time for us.

Diwali is incomplete without its delicious treats. We make and eat lots of traditional sweets such as laddoos and savoury snacks like samosas and murukku. As the sun sets, we light many candles and lamps, and sometimes, we even have fireworks and sparklers that light up the sky.

As Diwali ends, we feel grateful for the time spent with our loved ones. It is not just about the lights and the fun; it is about being together and showing love and kindness to everyone. Diwali teaches us that no matter how tough things might seem, the light of love and happiness will always shine through.”

On October 25, World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day raises awareness and understanding for these diseases that affect the spine and the brain. It’s also a day to advocate and promote the rights of those living with these conditions.

Client Story:

“Wesley is seven years old but was born 16 weeks premature and suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) shortly after birth. While in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, he was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus when he was only a few weeks old.

Hydrocephalus is a chronic condition in which there is a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles. CSF normally circulates throughout the brain and spinal column, but it can become blocked and pool in the ventricles, causing them to widen and put harmful pressure on the brain’s tissues. Causes of Hydrocephalus include head injuries, brain tumours, genetic inheritance, or may be associated with developmental disorders like spina bifida. Signs and symptoms are usually a bulging fontanelle and setting sun eyes (in infants), unusually large head size, lethargy, vomiting, and complaints of headaches. Cognitive displays of hydrocephalus can also present themselves through changes in personality, slowing or loss of developmental progress, impaired cognitive skills, and memory loss.

There is no cure for Hydrocephalus, but there are several ways to treat it. Spinal taps, implanting an Ommaya Reservoir, and, most commonly, implanting a device known as a shunt are ways to help circulate the excess CSF normally throughout the body.

Wesley began presenting symptoms of Hydrocephalus a few weeks after birth. He has had spinal taps, an Ommaya Reservoir, and several shunt revisions since his diagnosis. Today, he has had a total of 7 brain surgeries related to his Hydrocephalus. As a lifelong illness, he must be followed long-term by his neurosurgeon. A shunt can go from working for 18 years to suddenly malfunctioning. The shunt valve can become clogged, or the pressure in the shunt may be too little or too much for the individual. The success of shunt revisions is unpredictable, but immediate treatment encourages a positive outcome.

As parents, we are constantly on the lookout for signs of shunt malfunction or failure and must also provide this information to his caregivers and schoolteachers. Wesley is also learning to advocate for his needs and being able to identify his own signs of shunt malfunction or failure.”