I dare you to speak up for what is right.
Like any 11-year-old, I enjoy playing soccer and Roblox with my friends. But some days include standing up for what’s right. As a kid who has been bullied for being different, I speak up when someone is treated unfairly. And I always find ways to include others when they’re left out.
Disability inclusion is near to my heart. I was born with cerebral palsy and later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a learning disability. I started coming to Holland Bloorview, which I like to call my home away from home, when I was two years old.
Since then, I’ve gotten stronger physically and mentally. At Holland Bloorview, therapy shaped me into the person I am today. My therapists helped me learn everyday skills, like holding a knife and fork and zipping up a sweater. They even helped me do my geometry homework by finding an accessible way for me to use a protractor.
Holland Bloorview is more than a place for care. It’s also a place where I had opportunities to play, dream and belong. Through art and music camp, swimming and sports, my creativity soared, and I discovered what I’m passionate about.
Most importantly, Holland Bloorview is where I made lifelong friends. Robotics class has a special place in my heart. It’s not only where I learned how to problem-solve and build robots. It’s also where I learned how to socialize and make friends for the first time.
Holland Bloorview has done so much for me, which is why I’m an ambassador and Together We Dare Honorary Chair. I’m so proud to use my voice to make the world a more inclusive place. Because I know when one person speaks up, it can start a movement. And when we dare to speak up together, anything is possible.
— Rehan, Holland Bloorview client ambassador and Together We Dare Honorary Chair