Hannah MacLellan – Easter Seals Prince Edward Island Ambassador
When Hannah MacLellan was born, doctors feared she’d have trouble walking, talking and even eating. A brain bleed caused her to have cerebral palsy, which affects brain and nervous system functions such as movement and speech.
At 11 years old, Hannah not only walks, talks and eats, she runs.
She’s achieved all this through sheer gut determination. Where she used to have a walker and wear leg braces, she now goes without thanks to nightly stretches to loosen muscles and maintain balance. While she still has trouble putting thoughts to words, she works at it every day.
She’s also an inspiring member of her school’s cross country team. Already a seasoned racer at the run in Fort Amherst, Hannah came 122 out of 150 runners during last year’s event.
“I started off last but I ran the whole way without stopping,” she says. “I was so proud of myself! I love cross-country running.”
She also loves to swim and is an active member of the para-swimming program as part of the Charlottetown Bluephins Swim Team.
“In the water I feel so free,” she says. She also, draws, paints, sketches, plays the piano, plays soccer, skies, has just picked up skating, and rides horses through Joyriders Therapeutic Riding Program.
Needless to say, this native of Pownal, PEI likes to mow down barriers.
“No road blocks in her head,’’ says Stephanie Drake, Hannah’s mother.
Now Hannah has embraced a new challenge. She was recently named the 2011 P.E.I. Easter Seals Ambassador, a job she coveted for several years. Despite her enthusiasm for her new role, she does have one reservation.
“I am a little nervous about being the Ambassador because you have to speak in front of people,” she confides. “This is not easy for me. I have never had to do this before. I am not shy but when I speak in front of people that I do not know I am nervous. But I know I can do it! I like to be challenged and I am very determined.”
Indeed her motto as Ambassador is: ‘Believe in yourself… you will be amazed at what you can do!’
Delivering an inspiring speech during the kickoff for this year’s Easter Seals campaign, Hannah has nothing to worry about.
For an inspiring video on Hannah, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EPdrSzEDpc&feature=player_embedded
Hannah is one of many provincial Ambassadors named this year. The following have also been named 2011 Easter Seals Ambassadors. Easter Seals organizations in BC, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are continuing with the Ambassadors introduced in 2010. Welcome new 2011 Easter Seals Ambassadors!
Alberta
Elisa Neven-Pugh has been named as the 2011 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta. Elisa, who is 15 years old, has a strong desire to become an advocate for disabled rights and feels very privileged to be named the 2011 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. She is very excited to help promote not only recreational programs for kids of all abilities but the understanding and acceptance for those children as well.
Melissa Pickle is the 2011 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta. Sixteen year old Melissa chose to become the Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta to help improve awareness of all disabilities to not only make it possible for children of all abilities to participate in community programs, but also to make them feel welcome.
Manit
oba
Victoria Scott is welcomed by SMD Foundation/Easter Seals™ Manitoba as the 2011/12 Youth Ambassador. As the Youth Ambassador, eight year old Victoria will have the opportunity to promote the message of accessibility and inclusion for all individuals of all abilities throughout our community and within events and campaigns.
Ontario
Marianna Figueiredo is the 2011 Ontario Provincial Ambassador. There is one key message twelve-year-old Marianna would like to deliver to all kids with physical disabilities: “See beyond the disability. Show the world — we can do anything.”
Jacob Causley-Wilkins joins Marianna as 2011 Ontario Provincial Ambassador. Jacob’s message for Ontario’s kids with physical disabilities is this: “Don’t let yourself get down. Don’t let things stop you. You have to take some risks—not like walking a tight rope or anything—but do your best. Prove yourself. Don’t hide. ”
Newfoundland & Labrador
Danielle Arbour is named the 2011 Easter Seals Ambassador for Easter Seals Newfoundland & Labrador. This future nurse is honored to be chosen Ambassador and looks forward to being the voice for all children and youth with physical disabilities in her province.
