Halle Detweiler is truly a role model to other children with disabilities.
The 10-year-old Drayton resident was diagnosed shortly after birth with Caudal regression syndrome, which occurs in just one out of 100,000 live births and affects the lower body.
Halle’s legs will not grow in proportion to the other parts of her body, confining her to a wheelchair.
“It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. You can do anything. I will always keep trying, no matter what,” Detweiler said.
The KidsAbility Centre for Child Development in Kitchener approached Detweiler in April and asked if she would consider being part of the Sunshine Foundation’s Dream Lift Program.
Not one to turn down an opportunity, Detweiler accepted the challenge.
She and her mother Kim were billeted in a hotel the night before her flight to Florida. Early the following morning, April 22, Detweiler met with her “buddy,” Brittany Strauss, who accompanied Detweiler on the trip, along with 83 other children with severe disabilities or life threatening illnesses.
The theme of the day was “Yes Day.” Almost everything the child wanted would be given or granted to them. Each child was carried onto the airplane by a designated firefighter. The plane flew out of Brantford Airport with a team of doctors, nurses and therapists on board.
Upon arrival in Florida, the firefighters carried the children off the plane to security checks, performed on the airport’s runway. After breakfast the children were whisked off to Disney’s Magic Kingdom park. With hats, T-shirts and backpacks provided by various sponsors, Detweiler was given fast passes to anything she wanted to do. With no waiting in long lines, she had a full day at the Disney park.
Back on board the plane by 9pm that night for the flight home, Detweiler said she was tired and slept.
For donors and volunteers, the program offers a special way to see months of hard work and planning realized in the happy faces of the children.
Because of her involvement with the Dream Lift Program, Detweiler was approached by the Sunshine Foundation again this summer and asked if she would like to be the poster child representing the foundation for one year.
She agreed and a photo session was arranged between the foundation and Kitchener photographer Melissa Hansma. The Sunshine Foundation also involved Detweiler’s parents Keith and Kim, as well as her siblings Sydney and Calvin, in the session.
“I want other kids with special abilities to know about the Sunshine Foundation because of me being the poster girl. I want people to donate to help out,” Detweiler said.
In the planning stage since mid-summer, Detweiler’s poster picture was to appear in the national debut of Ricardo magazine’s September issue (prior to this date Ricardo was published only in Quebec). Her photo did not make the publication’s debut, but she will be appearing in the December holiday issue.
For information on the foundation call 1-800-461-7475 or email info@sunshine.ca.
