Two Drayton residents have been chosen as ambassadors for KidsAbility Guelph-Wellington.
Brother-sister duo Troy and Emma Clemmer began their duties in September 2015 and to date have enjoyed many memorable experiences as ambassadors with the organization.
Troy, a twin born two months premature, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 12 months of age. His parents Dean and Heather Clemmer say the physiotherapy and occupational therapy Troy received at KidsAbility proved remarkable.
“With the help of KidsAbility, Troy learned to crawl, to go on his knees, stand up, use a walker and then to walk independently,” said Heather.
Dean praised the centre by saying, “The staff is really amazing. Troy seemed to learn everything at KidsAbility. Watching your son learn how to walk and peddle a tricycle for the first time in the halls of the organization is something I will never forget.”
Troy, now 13, is actively involved in sledge hockey, T-ball, swimming, bicycling, school events and with his youth group at church.
Troy’s road to success began with KidsAbility and he now has the opportunity to represent the organization as ambassador.
In an interview at the family home, the quiet, well mannered teen explained he was learning what it was like to be an ambassador and he wasn’t comfortable being the centre of attention. At each event he was a little nervous.
“Plasma car races at the Quebec Street Mall in Guelph was the first event. I had to welcome everyone and thanked them for raising money for KidsAbility. I got my picture taken with the mayor,” Troy said.
The Kitchener Rotary Car Draw took place at a Kitchener Rangers hockey game. Proceeds from ticket sales were donated to KidsAbility. As ambassador for KidsAbility, Troy was asked to draw the winning ticket. His picture was flashed across the scoreboard. The Clemmer family received tickets to the game, preferred parking and was escorted to and from designated seats.
Heather and Dean adopted 18-month-old Emma into their family. Emma, now five, also has cerebral palsy.
“I grew up in a foster home for six years,” Dean stated. “As a way of giving back, I wanted to foster or adopt a child. Heather was on board with me and when the chance came to adopt Emma, we took it.”
Emma has received physiotherapy, occupational therapy, augmentative therapy, speech therapy and power chair training through KidsAbility since the age of two.
“The staff at KidsAbility have been so encouraging to Emma and she is determined to succeed. It’s such a blessing to get the services that the organization offers to children like Emma,” Heather said.
Emma is in senior kindergarten at Drayton Heights Public School. She likes school, Barbie dolls, Caillou, and jumping on her trampoline. Her ever-present smile and laughter are an encouragement to everyone she meets.
Emma communicates by using her iPad, sign language and some verbal communication. When asked if she liked being an ambassador for KidsAbility she said, “Yes.”
Emma and Troy, along with their siblings Scott and Bella and their parents toured the Colonial Cookie factory in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. A fundraising barbecue hosted by Colonial benefitting KidsAbility was held that day.
“We as a family are thankful that Troy and Emma have the opportunity to represent KidsAbility as ambassadors. The organization has and continues to play a huge role in our lives, “ Heather said.
Ambassadors Troy and Emma have a full slate of events scheduled for 2016.
The Rotary Club of Kitchener-Waterloo formed in 1922 and dedicated its works to serving children with special needs. In 1957, The Kitchener-Waterloo Rotary Children’s Centre opened, financed entirely by donations. By 1972, a centre was established in Cambridge.
Having outgrown its facility in Kitchener, a 54,000-square-foot state of the art facility was built in Waterloo in 1995. With continued growth, a Guelph site was established in 1999. In co-operation with the Fergus-Elora Rotary Club, a Fergus site was established in 2000.
The name of the organization was officially changed to KidsAbility Centre for Child Development in 2003.
