Our Kids
Who Your Gift Helps
Meet some of our current and past kids (clients) and families - Your support make stories like these possible:
Check out videos of ErinoakKids clients! (YouTube)
Taylor
My name is Taylor and I am 7 years old. My brother is 5, and he has autism. I help him in every way I can so he will be ready to go to school next year. One way I helped my brother, and other kids with autism, was to hold a barbeque for ErinoakKids. My cousins helped me. They sold pop, and my mother and father cooked the hotdogs. My aunt and uncle helped out too. We raised $635.
I love my brother. Helping ErinoakKids is the best way I could think of to help him and other kids who have autism. I want to do this every year. It’s important for kids to help kids who need help, and to give them as much as you can.
Paula
My three year old son was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Autism in March 2009. For my family and thousands of others, ErinoakKids is a lifeline for our children providing resources such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech, autism intervention to name but a few.
For us, and for many other families, the relief, comfort and care provided by ErinoakKids has done more than help us cope with the realities of having a special needs child. They have inspired us by showing us what is possible for our child to achieve. My son did not walk or communicate when he arrived at ErinoakKids eighteen months ago. Today he walks and is developing communication skills.
Michelle
Give youth dignity and independence.
I came to ErinoakKids when I was 12 because I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which means that my mobility is limited.
ErinoakKids helped me find the perfect adaptive devices and trained me to use them optimally.
When I changed schools in grade 8 ErinoakKids helped me advocate for my needs, and together we ensured that the school provided such necessities as accessible washrooms.
ErinoakKids’ Independent Living Program prepared me to live and thrive after graduation. I was surprised at what I could accomplish on my own. ErinoakKids gave me the dignity of choice, freedom and opportunity.
Today I still use the skills I learned in the program as a two-time Sheridan College graduate in Advertising and Media Arts.
Ryan
Give a kid courage and confidence.
ErinoakKids has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The incredible therapists have done so much to give me the very best quality of life, and make sure that Cerebral Palsy doesn’t hold me back.
When it was time for the huge transitions that come with high school graduation, ErinoakKids’ Independent Living Program made sure I was up to the challenge. To this day, I use what I learned there: the confidence to go out into the community and the courage to try new things.
Today I work out four times each week, play many sports, and I recently graduated from Sheridan College. I’m determined to continue doing what therapists pushed me to do: be positive, try hard and don’t ever give up on anything. ErinoakKids never gave up on me, so I’ll never give up on myself, or helping others like myself.
These attitudes helped me to be selected to carry the Olympic flame as the City of Brampton’s Final Torchbearer – the first to carry the flame on a Hockey Sledge!
Anu
My name is Anu and I am 20 years old. I was born with spina bifida. I use a wheelchair to get around. But thanks to all the help I received growing up with ErinoakKids, it hasn’t held me back.
I have a great life. I’m studying sociology at York University I live in residence, I do fun things with my friends, and because I know the challenges that the kids at ErinoakKids face, I volunteer at ErinoakKids camps to help them achieve their full potential.
ErinoakKids helped me prepare to thrive in the bigger world, and with your help, they’ll do the same for many more children and youth.
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