Heather Stewart
2005 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador
A personable young lady, Heather Stewart enlightens audiences with her mature insights on the lives of children with physical disabilities as the 2005 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador.
Heather is a grade seven student who enjoys her schoolwork, especially math, and is a top student at her school.
Outside of school, Heather is an avid sledge hockey player and enjoys attending Easter Seals camp every summer where she gets to be with kids just like her.
Her hobbies include reading, playing piano and watching Trading Spaces! She also enjoys singing, cheerleading and art. Heather’s favourite books include the entire Babysitter’s Club series, Flight Number 116 is Down by Caroline Cooney, The Prophecy of the Stones by Flavia Bujor, and Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine.
Twelve-year old Heather has spinal dysraphia, spinal syringomyelia and uses a wheelchair for distances. Both her mom and her older brother Jeremy are her role models, encouraging her to do her best at all times. Another resident at home is her budgie named Bluebelle!
A local Easter Seals Ambassador in Sarnia for three years, Heather loves to travel and is most looking forward to seeing new places across the province. Her year as Provincial Ambassador is sure to be a great practice run for her aspirations to be a teacher. “When my older brother started kindergarten, I remember going with my mom to take him to school and I haven’t wanted to leave the classroom ever since!” We are confident that Heather will be a fantastic mentor to Easter Seals kids.
Paul Manieri
2005 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador
Both friendly and compassionate, Paul Manieri makes an exceptional role model for children with physical disabilities as the 2005 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador.
Paul was born with cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia and uses splints, a bugsy walker for school and outdoors, and a wheelchair for distances.
Paul commends his parents and older brother Michael for helping him be the best he can be through their unwavering support and encouragement. This inspiring family is featured in a wonderful Easter Seals video highlighting their time at Easter Seals family camp this past summer.
Eleven-year old Paul’s best subjects are science and gym. A huge sports fan, Paul’s favourite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also loves to watch the Raptors, Blue Jays and Argos. Paul enjoyed playing sledge hockey at Easter Seals Camp Woodeden so much that he joined the Mississauga Cruisers sledge hockey team! This sports enthusiast will certainly reach his goal of being a sportscaster!
An award-winning speaker, Paul is looking forward to representing Easter Seals kids across the province. When asked what he would say to motivate other kids like him, Paul says, “Try as hard as you can and if you need me I’ll be there for you.” Paul is a very kind-hearted young man who will be a friend to all Easter Seals kids during his year as Provincial Ambassador.