Ambassador: Stella
Age: 7
Participates in: Children in Motion, Building Blocks, One-on-one reading and Summer Camp
Ability: Down Syndrome

Stella, a bright and ambitious 7-year-old girl with Down syndrome, embodies strength and determination. Fluent in English and French, she overcame motor delays and surgical interventions to thrive. With aspirations of becoming a doctor, Stella’s compassionate nature shines through her love for caring for others. In the kitchen, she finds joy in creative culinary adventures, especially with pizza. Stella’s passion for food hints at a potential future in the industry. Beyond that, she enjoys dancing and swimming, having achieved independence in the water through lessons at Variety Village. Stella’s infectious zest for life inspires others to embrace challenges and cherish every moment.

Ambassador: George
Age: 12
Participates in: Flames Swim Team, Volt Hockey, Personal Training
Ability: Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA)

George is 12 years old and has been a member of Varity Village since he was 7 years old. Like his peers, he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing video games, and going to the movies, but his biggest passion is swimming. He is a member of the Variety Village Flames para swim team and loves the freedom of movement when he is in the water. George has a rare disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). He is one of 15,000 in the world and although the symptoms can make life difficult, they also make him very special. FA causes a loss of coordination and balance, so, sometimes he falls or stumbles and has hard time walking. To help manage his symptoms, in addition to the swim team, George does physiotherapy and personal training at Variety Village. All the activities help him to retain his strength and allow him to be independent.

Ambassador: Ben
Age: 7
Participates in: Volt Hockey, Challenger Baseball, Swimming
Ability: Cerebral Palsy

Ben’s journey at Variety Village began years ago when he started attending physiotherapy. His therapist recognized his potential and encouraged him to explore the various programs offered at the facility. Through their guidance, Ben discovered his love for sports and his ability to excel in them. Ben’s eyes lit up every time he stepped foot inside Variety Village. One of Ben’s favorite activities at Variety Village was VOLT Hockey. The moment he strapped himself into the power chair, Ben’s competitive spirit soared as he raced against his friends, each determined to score the winning goal. But it wasn’t just volt hockey that captured Ben’s heart. Challenger baseball was another activity he eagerly participated in. He enjoys the thrill of running the bases.