For Paige, life moves at a different pace. She explains that managing three diverse conditions: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and ADHD is a lot on her. She faces physical and speech challenges that add more time and effort to her everyday activities. What might take someone 2 hours can take Paige 5 hours – like clothes shopping or completing a school assignment. But through it all, there’s one thing that never wavers—her love for sports.
Sports have always been Paige’s way to connect with others. It all started thanks to the influence of her dad and his family. The excitement, the anticipation, the thrill of watching any sports game and later talking about the results helps take the focus away from her disabilities. It’s a moment where Paige can feel just like any other 20-year-old sports fanatic.
When Paige had the opportunity to work with Shine Foundation to plan her “Ultimate Toronto Sports Dream”, everything came together for a Dream come true. Paige planned the major details of her Dream, from attending the PWHL’s Toronto Scepters game, to witnessing a Raptors win, to the icing on the cake - being among fans watching her favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, play on home ice.
Excitement grew as Paige counted down the days to her Dream. The anticipation was contagious. “We are truly humbled by this incredible opportunity,” her mom wrote. “Paige cannot stop smiling, and the excitement in our home, with our friends and family is palpable!”
“Once my family got to Toronto, it really sunk in that we were finally fulfilling the trip of a lifetime that I had wanted for close to 10 years,” Paige shared. “It was an honour sharing this with my family. They have been through so much with me and have been a big support. This was a chance to share something amazing with them.”
As a 4th-generation Toronto Maple Leafs fan, Paige’s passion runs deep. Cheering alongside other Leafs fans at their home arena was “like my own piece of heaven”, Paige describes. But nothing could have prepared her for the defining moment of the trip: standing outside the Leafs’ locker room, fist-bumping the players as they made their way onto the ice for the final period of the game. For Paige, this wasn’t just a brush with her idols—it was a connection to a team and a legacy she loves and admires. And it all came unexpectedly. “I felt so starstruck and grateful I could share that moment with my brother. It’s hard to top that.”
Paige’s Shine Dream was more than just a sports trip—it was a celebration of what makes her SHINE. Paige was given the chance to step into the heart of the action, surrounded by the fans and players who share her passion, and to experience, firsthand, the energy of Toronto’s biggest teams. “I feel more connected to the games now and I can watch a home game and think to myself I’ve been there,” she explains. Now back home in New Brunswick, Paige carries the unforgettable memories of an experience that solidified her lifelong love of sports and the power it has to bring people together.
Apart from sports, Paige is just as determined as the athletes she idolizes. She’s always been proud of pushing herself academically, taking every French course her high school had to offer. Now a full-time French major at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, she’s working towards becoming a French Immersion teacher. And just like in sports, she knows success takes persistence, dedication, and a deep love for what you do. She looks forward to sharing this viewpoint in mentorship opportunities, helping to improve the lives of more people with disabilities.
