21-year-old Timothy is one of Grandview Kids Foundation’s original Believe Campaign ambassadors. After nearly 2 decades of being a Grandview Kids client, he is now in a transitional season of his life. Timothy was born healthy alongside his twin sister. When he was only 6 months old, he contracted pneumococcal meningitis, was hospitalized for three weeks and slipped into a coma. Soon after he awoke from his coma, he was diagnosed with hearing loss and hydrocephalus, a lifelong condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) does not properly circulate throughout the body but rather dangerously pools in the brain’s ventricles and surface of the brain. He would later be diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 2.
When Timothy was diagnosed, his mom, Patty, was told that he would never be able to walk, talk, dress himself or independently use the bathroom or live life like his siblings. It was suggested that they put him in a care facility or nursing home to see him on weekends and holidays. This devastating proclamation was quite a blow to his parents, but they did not let this dictate how they cared for and loved Timothy. He currently lives with his parents, older brother and twin sister. He also has two half-siblings that he occasionally gets to see. As any family, they fiercely love one another but also have days when they would rather have a vacation from each other. They are huge Toronto Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors and Buffalo Bills fans, so they enjoy watching their favourite sports teams together. They also spend time together watching movies and reality TV shows.
Timothy’s family connected with Grandview Kids through Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital when they relocated from Toronto to Pickering. At that time, Timothy was only 3-years-old. “Grandview Kids has been a great place for our family. They have been fantastic with asking what my goals are for Timothy and he has come such a long way from what I was told that he would never be able to accomplish in his life,” recounts Patty. While attending Grandview School (formerly Campbell Children’s School), he was asked to be an Ambassador for Grandview Kids. You can see Timothy’s image on one of the Grandview Kids transport trucks, and he takes great pleasure in being recognized by people as a representative of Grandview Kids.
Timothy is in his final year of high school at St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School. As with most Grandview Kids involved in special education, Timothy is given the right to attend high school until 21 years of age to access the curriculum at his own pace and level. Many friends have known him since elementary school, so he loves socializing while at school. For youth with physical, communication and developmental needs, the transition from adolescence to adulthood is difficult for the whole family. This makes programs like Grandview Kid’s Adolescent Transition Program, funded by a grant from TD, vital. When September comes, Timothy will be going for walks with their beloved family dog, Lily. Patty is hopeful of finding some activities and programs that will help Timothy find comfort in a new routine that doesn’t have him getting up early in the morning and getting ready for school.
With her many years of experience in raising Timothy, Patty can look back with confidence and pride. “If I ever had this challenge happen again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have learned so much,” she boldly states. “I would recommend Grandview Kids, no questions asked.” Timothy’s story will continue to evolve, as it has over his years at Grandview Kids. We know that the experiences and life lessons learned by Grandview Kids families, like Timothy’s, are forever imprinted on their hearts and minds. They will carry it into every aspect of their lives, relishing in the successes they were once told would be impossible, even after exiting Grandview Kids’ doors.