“Manitobans with disabilities are humans with talents – not limitations.”
Téo, a 16-year-old advocate.
He wants Manitobans to recognize that people with disabilities are humans with talents.
”I wanted to be an ambassador for Manitoba Possible because, throughout my life, I have found places that are not accessible – and not just for me, for everyone.”
Téo is a 16-year-old athlete, student, and advocate. Sports have been his “entire life since the minute he was born” and he credits Manitoba Possible for bringing him to the rink and the courts through recreational programs and helping to source equipment in partnership with the Children’s Rehab Centre. Now, Téo is a star player on the ice, a pro who gets nothing but net on the basketball courts and has one impressive swing on the links.
Along the way, Téo and his family have done their share of grassroots advocacy. Going to high school with your friends is a rite of passage for many young Manitobans. For Téo, a lack of accessible accommodations meant he’d be spending his high school years in a different neighbourhood without his friends.
The high school that Téo was supposed to attend did not have an elevator nor meet other access needs for wheelchair users. Though his experience is an unfortunate example of built environments that weren’t designed with everyone in mind, the ever-positive Téo has found some silver linings. He’s made new friends and loves his new school, and, he also made sure that future students wouldn’t face a similar issue by advocating for an elevator to be built at the original school.
“Advocacy pays off,” Téo shares, adding that he is an ambassador because he wants to push the province – and its citizens – to make places more accessible for all. He’s a strong supporter of an inclusive and accessible society and truly believes – and lives – the mantra of full and equal participation.
“Sports are my number one passion!”
Connected with Manitoba Possible at age 4, Téo began sledge hockey and attended summer sports camps – part of our Recreation & Leisure programming.
“Sports are my number one passion!”
And that’s why Téo wants other children and youth with disabilities to have the same opportunities he had access to, sharing, “My love for competitive sports has taught me perseverance which has helped me overcome many of the barriers that I have faced.
An inclusive and accessible society is important for so many reasons. In my own experience, access to sporting equipment and opportunities that suits my needs has allowed me to fully participate in the activities I love. As an Ambassador I hope to increase people’s knowledge about living with a disability.
“Manitobans with disabilities are humans with talents – not limitations.”
That’s why Téo is asking for your support in continuing donor-funded programs like sledge hockey and recreation. Accessible sporting equipment is essential for nurturing the athletes of tomorrow. Here’s what your dollars can do:
For $1,200, you can outfit a youth with an entire sledge hockey package that includes a brand new sledge and all required hockey gear, giving them the opportunity to take part in an accessible version of the greatest game of all.
$1000 buys 5 hours of ice time, supporting Manitoba’s only accessible sport camp where children and adults learn physical literacy, get a lot of exercise, build teams, and most importantly, have fun.
A donation of $500 will provide Manitobans who cannot attend in-person programming access to 6 sessions of virtual music therapy that helps develop social, motor, communicative, expressive, and cognitive skills.
Together, we can elevate young athletes with disabilities, and make an inclusive and accessible society possible.