March 1: International Wheelchair Day – Justine’s Story

Justine’s Story

Written by Ambassador Advisor and Grandview Kids parent, Abby V.

Justine is a dedicated, second-year honour roll student at Durham College studying social service work. If she is not doing schoolwork, which is seldom the case, she is either honing her craft as a talented artist in digital and traditional art or doing some form of creative work. Her drive goes beyond her personal goals as she also excels in advocating for people with mobility issues and wheelchair users.

Justine was born prematurely and began her journey with Grandview Kids when she was only six months old. Through a multiteam assessment, it was determined that she would likely have some form of disability. Once the signs and symptoms presented themselves through missed milestones, she was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy (CP). Over the years as a Grandview Kids client, she went on to attend Grandview School and receive Medical Services and therapies, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Recreation. At a young age, she would also become a Grandview Kids Ambassador, campaigning for the construction of The Jerry Coughlan Building (Grandview Kids’ new Ajax-based headquarters), marking the start of her advocacy work.

 “Without [Grandview Kids’] services, I would be in a vastly different spot right now,” Justine thoughtfully assesses when recounting her years at Grandview Kids. “Part of the interpersonal work with Grandview, besides the physical aspects, was self-advocacy.” As she aged, more responsibility was placed on her to be able to take over her care and have her mom less involved. Justine uses a power wheelchair but manages to efficiently direct her care, oversee her pain management and plan her use of public transit. She distinctly remembers a time when sitting up for long durations was a challenge as she would slowly lean over and be unable to hold a conversation for long. Through hours of painstaking therapy, stretches, enduring Botox injections and adapting to equipment changes, she has learned the importance of self-reliance, independence and self-advocacy, which she now carries over into her work.

A significant barrier that Justine continues to face is explaining what she endures to her peers, teachers, support staff and even those closest to her. Constantly educating people and advocating for herself as she explains her needs and paints her perspective is emotionally taxing. Another hurdle is the lack of social, physical and structural accessibility in the community. “Grandview Kids is built to be accessible, but most places, especially older buildings, are not,” Justine says. She is always reevaluating the accessibility of spaces she is in for herself and others.

Justine’s exceptionality, talent and inspiration continue to reach many people. She won the 2024 current client “Spirit of Grandview Kids” award. Nominated by her rehabilitation team, they testify how they have learned so much from her. “She can tell her therapy team how various tasks impact her and how they make her feel. She participates in her clinic appointments, and she lets the team know how our services affect her day: both good and bad!” Justine has years of practice and is very well-versed in her care, and “will use her voice to speak up for the clients that cannot tell us verbally how Botox injections feel or that AFO’s [ankle foot orthotics] can make your feet cold,” her therapists attest. “Justine is Grandview Kids’ vision, mission and values personified. She is living life to her fullest potential and ‘crushing it!’”

Justine reflects on her own experiences and asks herself, “How can I be the solution for other kids?” She recognizes that kids and youth with physical, communication and developmental needs face unique challenges that can leave them having negative, although valid, emotions of hurt, worry and anger. “Keep your head up because it’s tough, and there are days you want to give in. As long as you feel best in your skin and happy with where you’re at, that’s all that matters. Your quality of life and your joy are all that matters. Everything else is a second thought.”