Alex Bear, 2010/11 Easter Seals Ambassador for Regina

Alex Bear is very excited to be the 2011 Easter Seals Ambassador for Regina Saskatchewan. Alex has cerebral palsy and sometimes requires a wheelchair or walker to get around, but he does not let that slow him down. He is one of the most social and busy 13 year old boys in Regina. He is always happy to meet new people greeting them with a huge smile.

Alex goes to W.H. Ford School and is part of the Functional Integration Adaptation Program. One of his favourite subjects is cooking and he excels when working on a computer. His most exciting part of the school day is getting to ride on a wheelchair accessible bus.

Alex is an enthusiastic movie watcher. He can recite the entire storyline of many movies and does not forget one detail. He remembers each character’s name and role. According to Alex the best movie of all time is Spiderman but it’s a tough choice to make because he loves all movies. His interest in movies might have had an influence on his ambition, he hopes to one day work in a Television Studio.

Each summer Alex and his family get to enjoy the nice weather by a lake at their Cabin. He’s a tough kid for his Mom to keep track of because once he starts riding his battery operated quad he doesn’t stop. When he is not riding his toy quad he likes roasting hotdogs on the camp fire and going out with his family for ice cream.

Although Alex likes spending time at the family cabin his favourite thing about the summer is going to Camp Easter Seal! This year Alex will spend his sixth summer at the Camp and it is truly the highlight of his year. Camp Easter Seal gives Alex the chance to do so many activities he has a hard time choosing a favourite. He likes boating, having campfires and getting to sleep in a tent. As soon as Alex returns home from camp all he does is talk about going again the following year. He says the best part about going to Camp Easter Seal is getting to see all his friends again.

Greg Donaldson, 2010/11 Easter Seals Ambassador for Saskatoon

Hello my name is Greg Donaldson.

I am very excited to be the Easter Seal Ambassador for the Saskatoon area for 2011. I am 16 years old. I live with my mom and dad, Marilyn and Scott, my older brother Graeme and my dog Max. I like horseback riding and singing with Kids Of Note choir and skiing and shopping.

I have cerebral palsy. My muscles in my body don’t work like they should. I have a hard time doing lots of day to day things.

I went to Camp Easter Seal for the first time in 2001. I had a blast. I love to go to Camp Easter Seal to see all of my camp friends. I like the pool, horseback riding and the dance.

I also like to go to Summer Fun which is a program with the Abilities Council. We go to movies, the pool, Ruckers, to do some shopping and other things kids like to do.

I like going to Camp Easter Seal and Summer Fun because I can do the same things as other kids.

Caitlyn Hasper, 2010/11 Easter Seals Ambassador for Yorkton

My name is Caitlyn Hasper. I am very happy to be the 2010/11 Easter Seal Ambassador, representing children with disabilities who benefit from Easter Seals Saskatchewan.

I am 7 years old and I live in Yorkton with my Mom and Dad, and my two brothers. I go to St. Alphonsus School and take the Access Transit bus. At school, I am one of the top students in my Grade Two class. I enjoy art and crafts, playing the piano, riding my special bike, sledging – which is a sled on skates – going to the Terrier hockey games with my parents, watching TV, and of course anything that involves the Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana.

I was born with spina bifida. Spina bifida is a developmental birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. As a result, I have limited use of my legs and lower body; thus, I use a wheelchair and have other special needs.

This past summer I spent my second time away from my parents because I went to Camp Easter Seal. It was an incredible experience. I was in a cabin with three other girls; each of us had our own counselor because of our needs, and we got to participate in a variety of activities Iike: swimming, horseback riding, boating and wagon rides. My parents were nervous and they called every night, but I had no time to miss them. I am really looking forward to going back to Camp next year.