Zachary Pylychuk loves school.
The 7-year-old Grade 2 student from St. Thomas Aquinas takes his power chair to get to his classes. Zachary has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a weakening of muscles that requires him to use the chair. Zachary became the ambassador for Easter Seals three years ago when a friend mentioned that his personality would make him an ideal candidate.
A normal day for Zachary starts with early morning stretches, which he said isn’t fun but necessary. After breakfast, he goes into a standing aid to increase bone density for his legs and then it’s off to school.
With Easter a few months away, Zachary said his class has started to work on a few holiday projects as well as a science project.
Zachary’s mother, Jacqueline, said the school provides him support when her son needs it but most of the time Zachary remains independent. Without the help of the school and Easter Seals, her son wouldn’t be as independent as he is today, she said.
"The greatest thing about Easter Seals is that the help is unlimited," Jacqueline said. "We as families see the benefit of Easter Seals and how they allow independence for kids who aren’t normally independent."
One of the benefits of Easter Seals is the chance to meet other parents. Pylychuk said parents with older children who also have Spinal Muscular Atrophy gave valuable advice on what she should expect when Zachary becomes older.
Zachary and Pylychuk helped kick off the Easter Seals Ontario eighth annual Snowarama fundraiser at J&J Sports on Tuesday. The fundraiser, that raised $30,000 last year, will go towards children with physical disabilities in the Thunder Bay area.
Rhonda Harrison, senior development officer with Easter Seals Ontario, said they hoped to match the same amount they did last year. Participants collect a minimum of $100 pledges for the event and will receive a complimentary dinner and a night of dancing. Participants who bring in more than $88 above the minimum amount will be entered also a chance to win a snowmobile at J&J Sports by getting pledges. Trail permits are $16.00 available at Ryden’s 66.
Harrison said the event has raised more than $173,000 over the eight years the event has run.
Frank Vecchio, marketing manager with Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, said eight years ago they decided to help sponsor the event and have done so ever since.
‘Eight years ago I noticed (the event) didn’t have a lot of snow in Thunder Bay," Vecchio said. "I approached Easter Seals to see if they wanted to do it at Grand Portage. From then on we’ve been doing that as an annual event."
