Zak Madell, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta
Zak Madell, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta
Fifteen-year old Zak Madell is a remarkable young man whose viewpoint is life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. Attitude is everything.
Easter Seals Alberta is proud to announce Zak as the 2009 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador for Southern Alberta.
Zak is a grade nine student from Okotoks, AB. At the age of ten, Zak developed a bacterial infection which spread throughout his system causing septic shock. His body was able to protect his brain and heart, but other organs suffered the effects of the toxins and lack of oxygen. Much of his tissue did not survive and, as a result, he required amputation of his legs and fingers. Today you can find Zak getting around in a custom-made wheelchair.
Zak attended Easter Seals Camp Horizon in 2008. His favorite activities at camp included the giant swing and the zip line. Zak also enjoyed playing power hockey with friends and camp counsellors. “When I’m at camp, I get to do things I normally would not get a chance to do. I get to meet new friends and try new things,” said Zak.
Zak has a passion for community involvement. His wish is to see more accessible sporting events, entertainment and recreation facilities for people with disabilities. His dream is to be able to one day walk on prosthetics and to attend university to get a science degree. He would also very much like to return to camp one day as a camp counsellor.
As a practicing musician, Zak can play the trombone and is also learning to play the electric guitar.
Kyle Zieger, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta
Kyle Zieger, Easter Seals 2009 Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta
Easter Seals Alberta is proud to announce twelve-year-old Kyle Zieger as the 2009 Easter Seals Youth Ambassador for Northern Alberta.
This year, Kyle was recognized in his community and received a Citizen Award for his positive attitude.
Kyle was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at the age of five. DMD is a muscular disease that affects the body in many different ways. In Kyle’s case, he has limited strength and mobility. Kyle walks in small distances to help maintain his strength, but uses his power wheelchair for most of his daily needs.
In 2008, Easter Seals financially supported the conversion of an accessible vehicle to accommodate Kyle’s power wheelchair. The conversion costs were approximately $35,000, not including the initial costs of purchasing the new vehicle.
“The contribution that Easter Seals made has made all the difference,” says Kyle’s mother Donna. “It has opened up new doors to new environments for Kyle and our family.”
The Zieger family was able to visit Johnston Canyon in Jasper National Park for the first time. Now Kyle can keep up with his friends in activities and has the confidence to move around and go places like never before.
Kyle has a great sense of humour and a positive and indomitable spirit. In his spare time Kyle likes drawing and writing short action-hero fiction stories. He also enjoys doing research projects on animals and wildlife. Kyle hopes to one day be an animal researcher.
