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Mackayla is 7 years old. She’s full of energy, irresistibly charming, and she knows exactly what she wants! Every week, she and her mom, Chantal, travel from Verdun to the CLSC St-Louis-du-Parc. There, they meet with Michelle, Mackayla’s physiotherapist, who helps her strengthen her motor skills.
Because of her Down syndrome, Mackayla needs orthotics to stabilize her ankles so she can run, climb up and down stairs, or play hide-and-seek – her favourite game. But those orthotics require special shoes, and they are expensive. For Chantal, whose budget is already stretched thin by her daughter’s care, it was one more source of stress.
Thankfully, Michelle had the idea of submitting a request to the Foundation’s Population Assistance Fund. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the fund was able to cover the cost of Mackayla’s shoes: $75 that made all the difference.
Today, Mackayla can keep playing, exploring, and growing in independence – while her mom can breathe a little easier.
“For parents of children with special needs, daily life can be full of challenges. If we can give them a helping hand – even something as simple as a pair of shoes – it’s invaluable. It lightens their load and shows them they’re not alone, that there’s an entire network here to support them.”
— Michelle, Mackayla’s physiotherapist
Every day, your generosity helps transform care in our community — from comforting children in pediatrics, to keeping older adults safe at home, to ensuring people with cancer can reach their treatments securely.
You are making a difference where it matters most: at the heart of life.