Adaptive Adventures with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice

Jayda is a 15-year-old girl who attends John Oliver Secondary School. She loves shoe shopping, iced capps, and sassing her dad.

She is also diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, a genetic condition that delays development, and is often associated with a number of life-threatening birth defects. Jayda is non-verbal, using gestures, signs, and symbols to communicate. She has a cardiac condition that requires a pacemaker, and tires her out easily.

Doctors said that she was unlikely to ever learn to walk, take part in everyday activities, or eat orally. In 2004, her dad was told she only had six months to live. But she’s proven all of those predictions wrong.

Adaptive Adventures with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice

Her dad, Paul, describes her as being full of life, persistent, and always willing to try new things. So for Jayda and Paul, a Best Day Ever with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is an adaptive adventure.

The recreation therapy team at Canuck Place prides themselves on finding creative adaptations so that children of all ability levels can take part in adaptive adventures like sit-skiing and zip-lining.

“It’s something I never imagined she would be able to do,” says Paul. “I was nervous for her to try sit-skiing, but seeing the smile on her face when she was coming full speed down the hill, laughing and wanting to do it over and over again, was the best day ever!”

When they’re not chasing down adventures with recreation therapy, a Best Day Ever for Paul is a simple one.

“A Best Day is experiencing life through her eyes,” Paul says. “Taking in each special moment, and enjoying the time together, allowing Jayda to be worry-free, pain-free, not having to worry about anything.”

Canuck Place depends on a community of donors to provide pediatric palliative care to children living with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

You’re invited to make a donation to Canuck Place to provide a Best Day Ever to a Canuck Place child like Jayda.

Whether it’s an Adaptive Adventure, a Day without Pain, or an Understanding Hug, you can make Best Days Ever possible. Donate today.

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