Meet Your Kingston Ambassador!

MEET AARON BOMBARD!


Aaron became involved with the Kingston Walk for Muscular Dystrophy this past fall and has become a vital member of the volunteer planning committee. Aaron was eager to get involved as it is “an opportunity to give something back and to help raise funds” for those affected by neuromuscular disorders.



Aaron was diagnosed with duchenne muscular dystrophy at the age of five. Shortly before transitioning into a power wheelchair at 12 years old, Aaron and his family reached out to Muscular Dystrophy Canada for support.

Aaron has embraced his challenges and has dedicated himself to bringing awareness to accessibility and other facilitative efforts in the community. He currently volunteers with the Occupational Therapy Department at Queen University to provide life experiences and a personal perspective that “does not coming from a textbook”. The goal is to “provide a positive view of disability” Aaron describes. “I have a disability but it doesn’t define me.”

For Aaron, the Kingston Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is not only an opportunity to raise money and awareness, but to help those in the community who also have muscular dystrophy. “It helps to know there are others who are going through the same things. It’s a chance to meet and help one another.”

Thank you Aaron for being this year’s Kingston Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador! There is still time to sign up and walk with us at this Saturday's Kingson Walk. Visit www.muscle.ca/walk for more information, to join in or to make a donation!

Congratulations London and Waterloo!

Another weekend of walks down and two amazing walks they were! Both coming in over goal and both with more participants than last year!! The lovely weather only added to the wonderful day had by many. A big thank you goes out to the Volunteer Walk Planning Committees, participants, donors and event day volunteers - together we help make muscles move!


There is still time for you to donate to these great events, or sign up / donate to up coming events by visiting www.muscle.ca/walk . You can find more great pictures of the London Walk on our Flickr site!

Meet Your London Ambassador!

This Saturday June 18, the London Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is taking place. It's a chance to join you community and raise money for a great cause. You can even meet the London ambassador Patti!



Patti MacNeil has been involved with the London Walk for Muscular Dystrophy since its inception three years ago when Muscular Dystrophy Canada Board Member, Ronald Nicol, reccommeded her to the planning committee. Patti recalls “I was more than interested [to get involved]and a little nervous at first as I had never been involved with organizing an event before. It has been a great learning experience and very rewarding.”


Patti takes every opportunity to talk about her involvement with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the London Walk. “2010 was my second year [participating in] the walk. With open talks and communication with members of my team I was able to share my experiences. Instantly I had 3 people who wanted to get involved and volunteer their time. They were all there the day of the walk pitching in and at the end of the day the 3 of them said ‘make sure you sign me up for next year.’”

Believing that the walk helps the London community by spreading awareness of neromuscular disorders and those in the area that are affected by them, Patti says she has many fond memories of participating in the family friendly event year after year. "The community working together, building friendships, seeing familiar faces, and the smiles on the children’s faces are all reasons I love being a part of this event and are what make it such a great day”, Patti says.

We are so happy to have Patti on the planning committee again this year and to have her as our first London Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador!

Can't make it out to the walk? You can still donate and support Muscular Dystrophy Canada by visiting www.mucsle.ca/walk and selecting your local walk. Together we make muscles move!

Meet Your Waterloo Ambassador!

MEET BERNARDO RECINE!




Bernardo first became involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada after registering as a client in 1996. He wanted to know how to keep up to date with muscular dystrophy issues and was pointed in the direction of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Bernardo wanted to bring awareness and visibility to the cause and disorders and wanted to be involved. He was extremely happy to get the call in December 2009 to help organize the first Waterloo Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.

When asked about how the Walk event benefits the community, Bernardo commented “The Walk benefits the community as it creates awareness that Muscular Dystrophy is in fact part of our community, that we start putting faces to the cause within the community, and that there are individuals that need our support or will need our support in the future.”

As the Waterloo Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is still a new event, Bernardo is excited about brainstorming different ways to promote the event with the Waterloo Region Volunteer Planning Committee and to expand the event. He is very proud to be the Chair Person for the Waterloo Region Planning Committee and is thrilled to be this year’s Waterloo Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador.

Thank you to Bernardo for his continued dedication and support.


You can help Bernardo and Muscular Dystrophy Canada make muscles move by visiting www.muscle.ca/walk to donate or join the walk! Or you can just show up to Waterloo Park on Saturday June 18 at 10 am to register. We hope to see you there!

North Bay Walk for Musuclar Dystophy

This past weekend was the North Bay Walk for Muscular Dystrophy - a wonderful event that had a great  turn out. This year's ambassador was Jessica Lair!

Jessica and her farther have been members of the North Bay & Area Walk for Muscular Dystrophy volunteer planning committee for the past 3 years. It was important for Jessica to be involved because she has muscular dystrophy and wants “to help other people in the community to deal with it”.



Jessica was diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy at 11 years old. The condition “was hard to get used to” but Jessica and her family “keep living life normally” as Jessica describes. Jessica’s brother is also showing signs of the disorder.

The North Bay & Area Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is an opportunity for Jessica’s family to come together to work towards a common goal. Together, they collect funds, recruit walk participants and educate people about muscular dystrophy. Jessica is committed to “help[ing] people get involved”. The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is also a chance to “help others in the community who have muscular dystrophy”.

One of Jessica’s favourite moments from the Walk is from last year, when she was the captain of her team, Musclemania, and she was able to complete the full 5km walk route.

Thank you Jessica for being this year’s North Bay & Area Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassador! She helped to make the event such a success along with all the committee members, participants and volunteers. Here are some great photos from the event!

Thank you North Bay for helping muscles move!

Meet your Hamilton Ambassadors!

MEET ANN MARIE FORTINO AND ROSE DI GIOVANNI!


Ann Marie and Rose have been the Co-Chairs of the Hamilton Walk for Muscular Dystrophy for the past two years and have been involved with the Volunteer Planning Committee for the past three years. Both Ann Marie and Rose wanted to be further involved as each of their lives had been touched by muscular dystrophy. The fact that they both work at the same school made it easy for them to come together to work towards a common cause.

Ann Marie was diagnosed with FSH Muscular Dystrophy 15 years ago. “It has been a physical and emotional struggle from the time I was diagnosed. I maintain a positive attitude and live everyday with purpose and determination.”


Rose’s son Sebastian was diagnosed at age 4 with duchenne muscular dystrophy and she became involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada immediately after. “It was a way of getting information, support and hope.” The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy “ is a way for me to feel like I can do something positive that will help my son and anyone else affected with a neuromuscular disorder.”

Rose and Ann Marie not only raise awareness for neuromuscular disorders through the Hamilton Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, they also host an annual Car Show & Shine at St. Thomas More CSS whose proceeds support the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “This community has been so supportive of our efforts to spread awareness about the walk.” Rose acknowledges. Ann Marie “visits many businesses within Hamilton and surrounding area to promote and solicit information about the Walk and the fundraiser. These two events bring much awareness to the Hamilton community in regards to muscular dystrophy.”

The Hamilton Walk for Muscular Dystrophy brings together local community members and businesses but most of all it brings together families that are affected by neuromuscular disorders. Rose describes “There is such an overwhelming show of support and that truly affects the families in a positive way. It also allows us to meet other people affected by neuromuscular disorders so that we feel like we are not alone. It’s a great experience for all those involved.” For Ann Marie, “The walk provides my family and I the opportunity to come to together to raise money for the cause and also to meet new people with some of the same challenges and generate relationships and friendships.”

Last year, Ann Marie was a speaker at the Walk and shared her story. “It took a lot of courage and strength to be able to talk openly about my disability in front of a large group. I haven't been able to in the past so this was a big step for me… Without the love, support and help of my family, friends and co-workers I wouldn't be where I am today. I want them to know how much they have touched my life and I appreciate everything they have done for me.”

Thank you Rose & Ann Marie for you continued dedication and support and for being this year’s Hamilton Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors!

Remember, together we help make muscles move! But we can't do it without your support. Please visit www.muscle.ca/walk to select a walk in your area. Donate or sign up to participate today!

Meet your Peel Region Ambassadors!

MEET THE BASTAS!


Kim and Ashley Basta have been involved with the Peel Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Volunteer Planning Committee for the past 3 years. Raising funds is extremely important to them as a large portion of their family is affected with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. Kim was diagnosed at age 5 and just last year it was confirmed that Ashley also has CMT.



However nothing is slowing these ladies down. In addition to being involved in the Peel Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy, the family is very involved with other Muscular Dystrophy Canada initiatives including showing support at Firefighter Boot Drives, volunteering at the annual fundraising telethon and participating in the Youth In Action conference. Kim explains “The whole family is involved. It’s about supporting one another.”

And the Basta’s commitment doesn’t end there. Ashley is in college now, studying Business Administration and Human Resources, and hopes to one day work for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Ashley’s sister Chelsea is also motivated to make a difference, by pursuing a career working with people with neuromuscular disorders and other physical disabilities.

The Basta’s feel the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy “brings a tremendous amount of awareness to the community which is lacking. There is a lot of miscommunication and people do not understand what neuromuscular disorders are and how it affects your day to day life.” Kim also details “A lot of people have no idea of what services are available to us. They need to know that there is someone out there to support us, emotionally and physically.” More than that, the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is an “amazing way to empower yourself to become more involved. The people and friends that you meet really pump you up. You come out thinking I don’t have a disability, I just found an ability!”

Thank you to Kim, Ashley and the entire Basta family for being this year’s Peel Region Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors!

To support the Basta family and those living with neuromuscular disorders visit www.muscle.ca/walk to donate or participate in a walk in your area. Together we make muscles move!

Meet your Ottawa Ambassadors!

MEET THE LALONDE FAMILY!


Stéphane, France, Marie-Eve and Zacharie have been involved with the Ottawa Walk for Muscular Dystrophy since 2003 when Zacharie was first diagnosed at the age of 3 months. They joined the Ottawa Chapter for numerous reasons including, “mental support, to learn more about the disease and eventually for funding.”



Everyone in the Lalonde family feels a great sense of accomplishment in raising funds through the Ottawa Walk for Muscular Dystrophy. The family starts fundraising early, even holding events to raise awareness and gain sponsorship at the schools where Stéphane and France are teachers, and where the children attend.


One of the family’s most memorable moments at the Ottawa Walk for Muscular Dystrophy was when Zacharie was recognized for his hard work in fundraising. “They called Zacharie's name because he raised the most money in the age group under 7 years old. His eyes were shining and he was really happy!” Stéphane and France recall.

The Lalondes know that the money they work so hard to raise is going to a worthy cause. Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the local Ottawa Chapter have helped to provide resources that the Lalonde Family describes as making a huge difference in their quality of life. “The Ottawa Chapter helped Zacharie with new equipment like a laptop for his fine motor skills, our vehicle modifications and a ramp to get into our house.” which has helped make day to day tasks more manageable.

We are proud to have The Lalonde Family as this year’s Ottawa Walk for Muscular Dystrophy Ambassadors and thank them for their continued support.

It's not to late to help muscles move in the Ottawa area - visit www.muscle.ca/walk to donate to the Ottawa walk or to one in your area!

Great Job Belleville, Peterborough and Ottawa Walks!

This weekend was a busy one for walks! Belleville and Area, Peterborough and Ottawa all had walks going on over the weekend, each with great success. Thank you so much to the volunteer planning committees, the Ottawa Chapter Walk planning committee, all the volunteers at each of the walks, all of the donors and each and every participant. With your help we make muscles move and provide resources for education, research, services and equipment!

Here are a couple of shots from Belleville:

And a few from Ottawa:

I'm on the hunt for some photos to show you from Peterborough! If you would like to take a look at more photos from these or any other Ontario Muscular Dystrophy walks check out our flickr site or facebook page!

Great Job Durham and York Regions!!

Over the weekend we held two more Walks for Muscular Dystrophy. Saturday May 28 was the York Region Walk and Sunday May 29 was the Durham Region Walk. We would like to thank everyone who came out in support! As well as the wonderful volunteers and committees who made the two events possible.

Pictures and final totals from the walks are soon to come - but for now a great big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make muscles move in York and Durham regions.