Michael Jama with mom, Irina Abbassova

There is nothing that 12 year-old Michael Jama enjoys more than hockey. Michael has Cerebral Palsy and must use a wheelchair, but nothing lights up his face or gets him more excited than a Leafs game. Michael’s love for Toronto’s hockey team is unconditional and he responds empathically to any criticism of the Leafs: “But, it’s our team!”Michael’s mom, Irina Abbassova, is a single mother who emigrated from Russia over six years ago. She came to Canada with Michael, her only child. They live in Toronto’s west end.

Easter Seals Ontario funded a manual wheelchair for Michael when he was eight years-old. Now that he is almost a teenager, he has outgrown his old wheelchair and needs a new one.

“Easter Seals is wonderful for our kids. Our kids need more and I cannot manage it alone. I could never afford it,” said Irina, referring to everything that is needed to raise a child with a physical disability.

“The cost to raise a child with a physical disability is staggering. When you take into account the costs of a wheelchair, ramps, a bath lift and other essential items, it can cost these families between $10,000 to $40,000 a year, and they just can’t do it on their own,” said Tina Shier, Director, Provincial Services, Easter Seals Ontario. “In addition, a number of families who come forward for assistance are single parents caring for their child with a disability and their siblings.”

Parents, such as Irina, turn to Easter Seals for assistance for mobility equipment and communication devices, as well as for opportunities for their child to attend Easter Seals camp, which is often their only opportunity to experience a stay away from home.

Last summer Michael Jama spent time away from his mother for the first time. He had the chance to experience a 10-day fully accessible summer camp program at Easter Seals Camp Woodeden near London, Ontario.

When Irina went to pick up Michael after his 10-day stay at Camp Woodeden, she remembers: “All the counsellors were there and singing a good-bye song to Michael. He was so happy. I was crying. We would never have the chance for something nice like this back in Russia.”

Donations help kids like Michael access the programs and services they need to achieve a greater level of independence.

For more on Easter Seals Ontario, click here.