“I’ve always loved art, like it’s integral to my being. I need to make art to live,” - Ayla.
Living with Ullrich’s Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, Ayla faced physical challenges most of her life, but art is her sanctuary, her passion, and her purpose. Her journey began with a simple sketchbook, a gift from her grandmother during her early teens. From there, her love for illustration blossomed as she spent hours learning techniques from YouTube artists and experimenting with different mediums. Today, her favorite tools are pen and ink for their simplicity and versatility.
Ayla’s dedication to her craft led her to achieve a big milestone: acceptance into Emily Carr University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Illustration. Starting this journey two years ago had been both exhilarating and daunting as she had doubts about whether she was talented enough to belong. But with her dad’s unwavering support and her determination, she successfully completed her first year and is well on her way to completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts, embracing each challenge with excitement and courage.
Beyond art, Ayla has a deep curiosity for biology and a love for animals. This passion inspired her Shine Dream—an unforgettable two-day experience at the Vancouver Zoo. Ayla’s dream was designed to be as unique and special as she is, giving her exclusive behind-the-scenes access to learn about and connect with the animals she adores.
Ayla's Shine Dream to the Zoo and Orchestra
The month before Ayla began her first year at university, she was granted her customized Shine Dream. Ayla, her dad, and her brother embarked on a two-day journey to the Vancouver Zoo that went far beyond an ordinary visit. This VIP treatment was not something Ayla and her family would have had access to on their own, making it all the more special. Her experience included behind-the-scenes interactions with rhinos, hippos, lemurs, and bears, bringing her closer than ever to the animals she had always admired from afar.
Ayla’s favorite moment? Meeting Theo, a gentle rhino with a big personality. “We even got to scrub him with brushes, which he seemed to love,” Ayla recalled. To her delight, Theo became part of her life in another way: he was the animal she got to “adopt” through the zoo’s program, complete with a painting and a stuffed animal.
Other highlights included feeding blueberries to the lemurs, giving honey to bears using sticks, witnessing a turtle hatching, and tossing apple chunks into the wide mouths of hippos. Ayla’s brother quickly became the family’s champion apple-thrower, a memory they still laugh about.
“It was super duper duper, just purely fun!” Ayla said, her face lighting up as she recounted the experience.
The Shine Dream didn’t end there. Ayla’s package also included tickets to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Surrey Nights series, a concert series that she had eagerly anticipated. She also received a gift card for art supplies, a warm and trendy Emily Carr University hoodie, and a selection of Earl Grey teas—a thoughtful nod to her daily tea ritual. “You know when you get presents on your birthday, some are great, and some are only kind of cool?” Ayla shared. “This was not that in any way, shape, or form. Everything I received was so incredibly perfect and personalized.”
Ayla Embraces University
For Ayla, the timing of her Shine Dream was perfect. Transitioning to university felt terrifying - marked by new responsibilities and independence now that she no longer had an Educational Assistant to rely on for support. Her Shine Dream was an opportunity to simply relax, have fun, and be in the moment.
As a result, her dad shared how the experience energized her. It encouraged Ayla to step outside of her comfort zone and engage with the world around her in new ways: “In the last two weeks since the Dream, she’s gone out more times on her own than she has in the entire year before.” He added that she had started visiting local coffee shops, taking small walks in her neighbourhood, and has become deeply involved with a community knitting sessions—a group of grandmas (including her own) who donate their projects to hospitals and people in need. She has found comfort and connection among them, “It’s a huge de-stressor […] especially when finals come around.”
The joy that Ayla felt during her zoo experience reminded her of her resilience and potential. Now, as she navigates the halls of Emily Carr University, she carries the spirit of that dream with her—alongside her sketchbook and a heart full of gratitude.
“This dream was such a lovely surprise,” Ayla wrote in a thank-you email to Shine Foundation. “Everything I received was so incredibly perfect and personalized. I can’t properly articulate my joy. I just want you to know that all of this was so special and fun for me.”
Through art, education, and support from those around her, Ayla is drawing a bright future, one pen stroke at a time.
Ayla graciously shared her talents with Shine by illustrating our new Valetine’s Day e-card.
Send a card in honour of your loved one and help Ayla pay her dream forward to other Shine Dreamers living with severe physical disabilities across Canada.
