A Community of Belonging
More than half a million people in British Columbia self-identify as having a disability.
Who are they? They are our children, parents, family members, neighbours and co-workers. This means we ALL know someone who has a disability.
Here, meet some of the people that we know. People that we admire, respect and champion. People who – despite challenges – are realizing their dreams in a world of opportunity.
2021 Hero of Ability - Abby
Abby is a happy, social, outgoing and energetic little girl who approaches life with determination. Her big smile and warm personality light up a room, and she is always excited to see and meet people. Her genuine love for the people around her creates a lasting impact on everyone she meets.
2021 Hero of Ability - Aaliyah
Aaliyah is a positive, determined and happy young girl. She loves making friends, playing outside, drawing, colouring, and playing with dolls.
2021 Hero of Ability - Doug
Doug is an experienced entrepreneur who launched and succeeded in running his own business for many years. After experiencing a major health issue, Doug had to change his career path. He experienced challenging moments filled with depression and anxiety.
2021 Hero of Ability - Adriana
Adriana has a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis and was referred to BCCFA at the age of 6 months old following concerns with motor delay.
2021 Hero of Ability – Gabriel
Gabriel was born at 27 weeks gestation and weighing 335 grams. He is one of the smallest premature babies to survive in BC. Gabriel had severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) resulting in several postnatal issues. He requires a continuous supply of oxygen for pulmonary hypertension and a G-tube for eating.
2021 Hero of Ability – Avia
Avia is a sweet and charismatic four-year-old girl whose smile lights up a room.
2018 Hero of Ability – Sailor
Sailor is an incredibly resilient and determined two-and-a-half-year-old who challenges her limits and reaches for a new height every day. Sailor has been diagnosed with Caudal Regression Syndrome and was born with multiple congenital anomalies.
2018 Hero of Ability – Amy
Amy is an 11-year-old, Grade 5 student at Irwin Elementary School. Amy has Cerebral Palsy, a seizure disorder, developmental delay and visual difficulties. Amy uses a manual wheelchair and can walk a short distance with a crutch and caregiver.
2018 Hero of Ability – Arynn
Arynn is a delightful 4-year-old with myoclonic epilepsy and development delay. Arynn has been receiving extraordinary care from the Centre, including Physiotherapy, Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Supported.
2018 Hero of Ability – Serena
In June 2016, Serena developed headaches, nausea and vomiting and these symptoms progressively worsened over the following two months. A CT scan revealed she had a brain tumor that required
2018 Hero of Ability – Rufo
Rufo was determined to find a job in his field of training after immigrated to Canada as he has a degree in civil engineering and over 20 years of experience as a project manager in the Philippines.
2017 Hero of Ability - Vivien
Vivien was diagnosed with a rare heart disease and failure to thrive as an infant, but was able to overcome this hurdle with her supportive family and the dedicated Early Intervention Therapy (EIT) program team at the BC Centre for Ability.