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Meet 2019 Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation Youth Ambassador, Alyssa! 

When 13-year-old Alyssa White enters a room, she grabs everyone’s attention with her amazing smile and huge energy! Saying she has a positive attitude is an understatement. At birth Alyssa was diagnosed with spina bifida. Alyssa first visited the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC) when she was 3-months-old. Since that initial visit, therapists and technicians at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s Prosthetics & Orthotics department and spina bifida clinic have helped her reach her full potential.

“RCC has been there for us since she was a baby providing her with her ankle-foot orthosis, always fitting us in to get a repair done or the many rush new ones needed after the 12 or so surgeries. Without them she would not have her independence with mobility,” said Alyssa’s mom Charlene, “Also, for being our home base for spina bifida clinic. It’s so convenient to see all your specialists in one visit. It also does wonders to see the other families, and know you’re not alone.”

As the 2019 Youth Ambassador for Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Alyssa will spend the year representing the children and youth who benefit from the equipment, programs and services provided by the foundation and the RCC.

“It is a privilege to be chosen as the 2019 youth ambassador, I am so excited! I would tell others with disabilities that it doesn’t matter if you have a disability, you can do anything if you dream it or believe you can do it!” said Alyssa.

Click here to see the full newsletter: January 2019 Newsletter

Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Raises $122,790 in Winnipeg.

From September 17 to 23, every dollar raised from Smile Cookie sales at Winnipeg Tim Hortons was donated to Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

This years total of $122,790  puts the total amount raised for the foundation during the past four years over $486,000. The national campaign started in 2003 and raises funds for close to 500 charities and community organizations across Canada.

Thank you to everyone who placed a delivery order to thank their employees, treat their neighbours or spoil their students. With the help of dedicated volunteers and tireless work of Tim Hortons staff, the foundation delivered over eight thousand cookies during the week.

Tim Hortons franchisees present Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation staff with this year’s Smile Cookie total at the newly renovated Tim Hortons location at 1521 Dugald Road

The Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s W.A. Laddie Hutchison Bike Clinic gives Children the Opportunity ride a bike

Eleven-year-old Avery Lindgren mastered bike riding at a young age.

“Avery was up on two wheels at a younger age than many kids and she has never looked back,” says Avery’s dad, Grant Lindgren.  “On any given evening, Avery can be found organizing the neighbourhood bike parade to the park.”

Avery Lindgren with her new  bike, which was modified in the W.A. Laddie Hutchison Bike Clinic.

The only difficult part was finding a bike she could ride. 

Avery lives with Dwarfism and buying a standard bike off a store shelf wasn’t an option.

“Avery has always embraced her small stature and never let her size stand in the way of anything. Her only physical limitations were created by a world that was designed for people that are larger than her,” says Lindgren.

That’s where the team of occupational therapists, clinical technologists, engineers, and technicians inside Rehabilitation Centre for Children’s W.A. Laddie Hutchison Bike Clinic stepped in. The Lindgrens purchased a standard bike and brought it to the centre where it was modified to meet her specific needs.

“We meet with children and their families to determine what type of bicycle and what type of modifications are needed to ensure they can safely enjoy riding a bike,” explains Matt Gale, a Clinical Technologist at Rehabilitation Centre for Children. “Families typically purchase a standard bicycle, and we modify it for their needs.”

The most common modification made to bikes is the addition of stability wheels—a robust version of training wheels that provide extra support and balance. Other common modifications include adding waist belts, trunk supports, as well as handles and brakes for parents.

“We try to make any modification that will ensure the child can ride their bike and have fun,” says Gale, adding that Avery’s bike took a bit more complex customization than most because the pedal and drive system were designed and built from scratch. 

Rehabilitation Centre for Children clinical technologist, Matt Gale, and occupational therapist, Julie Huish make final customizations to Avery’s modified bike.

Every year about 150 bikes are brought in and modified in the bike clinic, which is funded by a generous donation from Laddie and Pat Hutchison to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation.

“As parents, we are very grateful that the centre has helped Avery realize that there really are no limitations,” says Lindgren.

The Hutchison’s donation will ensure that children experience the joy of riding a bike for generations to come.

“I like to ride my bike to the park in my neighbourhood and while camping at Winnipeg Beach,” adds Avery. “I’m happy to have a bike so I can ride with my friends and my sister.”