Sparked by the imagination of a young person living with severe physical disabilities, a Shine Dream helps young people aged 11 – 21 think differently about their future, imagine new possibilities, and develop a sense of purpose that can last a lifetime.
Our program helps them gain confidence and see themself differently as someone who can vs. someone who can’t. We help lay the foundation to change the trajectory of their life.
Read life-changing Shine stories below:
At the age of ten, Amy was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy that progressively weakens her muscles over time.
Victoria is a twenty-year-old from Saint John, NB who lives with a neurological developmental delay and low muscle development.
Whether you grew up listening to the hits of the Beach Boys, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys or One Direction, swooning over the looks and the lyrics of a boy band is a common part of a teenage girls’ upbringing.
“It was hard for my parents (and siblings) to watch their daughter be in pain and go through things they couldn’t help with,” Tanisha describes.
We can all relate to the feeling of wearing a cool new pair of shoes. The right pair can feel like you’re floating above the ground (perhaps even doing the moonwalk)!
Ten-year-old Lucas is an active boy who loves biking and playing baseball with his friends. He doesn’t miss a single opportunity to try everything: “the faster, bigger or higher it is, the better!” he says.
When she was fourteen years old, Sarah Lashbrook’s life changed in an instant. A Christmas Eve visit to her aunt’s home in Sudbury just an hour’s car ride away turned into a nightmare when her parents’ car was hit head-on.
Just like many kids, Daithi loves to play at the park. He longed to spend all day sliding down the slides, soaring high on the swings, and climbing around on the equipment.
Many of the young people across Canada who are impacted by Shine's programs live with multiple diagnoses, some of which may fall under the umbrella of mental health. Anxiety and depression are common amongst Shine Dreamers.
“Every Mom thinks their kid is talented and amazing. I know that I feel that way about mine.
For 18-year-old Hannah from Penticton, BC, a new bike is more than new equipment. It’s a means of independence, empowerment, and the ability to pay-it-forward. Hannah lives with spina bifida and is paraplegic from the waist down.
In 2014, Shine shared the story of Austin Smeenk, a Shine Dream recipient who received his own customized racing chair.
