Faith is a young 23-year-old music enthusiast who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a disease that weakens the body’s connective tissues and presents occasional mobility and medical challenges, often accompanied by fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Faith loves the arts and experienced a burst of creativity during the pandemic. However, the isolation from school and extracurriculars the past two years revealed a need for some additional guidance and motivation. Faith turned to Shine in hopes that we could help.
After learning more about Faith, we were able to arrange weekly one-on-one virtual sessions with her favourite celebrity idol, Mary Lambert. Mary is an American singer, songwriter, and spoken word artist who expresses confidence and self-love. Faith’s sessions would give her some life-coaching tips and learn how she can convert her own passion for music into a career.
Over the summer, Shine held a presentation for Faith outside her home and live-streamed the event for her friends and supporters. We surprised her with a video message from one of her other favourite celebrities and a personalized message from Mary who was just as excited as Faith to start their meetings. Faith received additional gifts in her dream package including a special photo, cake from her favourite bakery, and a MasterClass pass.
During her private sessions, Faith and Mary created music, shared advice and inspiration, and got to know each other. After her first meeting, Faith shared: “Yesterday was absolutely magical and beyond anything I could have hoped for! I felt like I was talking to a long-lost friend and had the best time talking to Mary.” Meeting a hero can be an incredibly emotional experience for a young person, inspiring them to push through difficult times and to continue to follow their dreams, as has happened for Faith.
Months later, Faith updated us on how her Shine Dream continues to impact her life:
“[…] Mary reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to teach some movement/dance for a virtual retreat she’s having. I’m so unbelievably thrilled and finding it hard to believe that someone, who has been my idol for years, is now reaching out with such an incredible opportunity. Talk about a pinch-me moment! I just wanted to let you know that my dream really has continued to create opportunities for me and none of this would be happening if it were not for your work on my dream. So thank you so, so much for everything you’ve done for me. It means so much.”
Faith’s message is a perfect reminder that a Shine Dream is not just a one-time present – it’s a life-changing experience. It’s a catalyst for a brighter future.
It’s an opportunity for you to change a young person’s life forever.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we hope you will remember Shine in your year-end giving plans. We can’t do this important work without you.
