Building an Inclusive Community Together

At Manitoba Possible, we’re working to create a community where Manitobans with disabilities can connect, try new things, and find support.  

For Janelle-Marie Emond, Manitoba Possible became a place to reconnect with her lifelong love of dance. When she was diagnosed with Lipedema 2021, she worried that the joy dance brought her might be lost. 

“When I got sick, one of my first thoughts after being told I needed a wheelchair was ‘How am I going to be able to dance?’” she recalls.  

Through Manitoba Possible’s All Abilities Dance, Janelle-Marie rediscovered dance in a whole new way. 

“I learned to how to dance in a chair and use my body differently – I absolutely love it.” 

The All Abilities Dance program isn’t just about dance—it’s about creating a space where everyone feels included and valued. Dancers explore movement and self-expression in a way that’s accessible to all. 

And as Janelle-Marie discovered, the program isn’t just a dance class; it’s a welcoming community she didn’t realize was possible.

"When I got sick, I felt disconnected from the world and my friends at the time,” she says. “As I started to come to different events and meeting new people, I realized there's so much more for me.”  

Every year, Manitoba Possible offers over 1,500 hours of inclusive recreation and accessible sports to 680 children, youth and adults with disabilities, creating a community for individuals to connect and try new activities through programs funded by the community’s support.

Every donation we receive ensures Manitoba Possible can continue offering inclusive activities, like All Abilities Dance, along with the province’s largest sledge hockey program, and a summer full of barrier-free camps for children and youth—just to name a few.  

Janelle-Marie’s journey came full circle when she was hired as an Adult Recreation & Leisure program staff member, where she now works to grow the same welcoming environment she once needed herself.  

"A mom came up and told me, ‘I don’t think my daughter has ever seen a dancer in a wheelchair.’ Moments like that remind me why I’m here – so kids can know they can do it too.”

Many participants in our programs go on to become staff, creating a community of support and mentorship that impacts lives in countless ways. Your support helps break down barriers and make this possible. 

“Manitoba Possible is place where you feel accepted. You have fun and it’s just comfort. That's my word to describe it best—I feel comfort here.” 

Donate today and support programs where everyone feels valued and supported.