The Power of Giving
Emily’s family lives by the old adage, it’s more blessed to give than to receive. “Bloorview Kids Rehab has given us so much,” says Emily’s mother Sandra Bigioni, “for us to have an opportunity to give back is our blessing.”
Emily was born with a brain condition known as pachygyria, which is similar to cerebral palsy.
“Emily is now 14 years old and doesn’t talk, but her smile tells it all,” says father Vito. “Thanks to Bloorview, when she is there, we know she is happy. Emily has attended numerous programs over her lifetime at Bloorview. Every one of these programs allows her to grow artistically, socially, physically and mentally. There are no boundaries—the possibilities are endless.”
Emily likes to listen to a variety of music from Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado and Andrea Bocelli. In the winter she enjoys skating, tobogganing and going to the movies. Currently, her favourite movie is Hannah Montana. She enjoys cartoons like Arthur, Backyardigans, Diego and Dora the Explorer. She also likes to snuggle up with a good book.
In the summer, Emily likes to hang out by the pool and enjoys a hot tub with friends. She enjoys being outdoors for walks and picnic in the backyard.
Emily is very social and loves to be with friends and family especially if they have children. In high school, she helps out in the bake shop and loves to greet those who come in for a treat. She participates in a Bocce Club and her school won first prize in a Bocce Ball Tournament held at the Maple Community Centre. She also enjoys staying after school to participate in the Youth Involvement Club where she can hang out with peers of all ages and abilities playing games and having a good time.
Emily is an artist so every week she attends art class at Bloorview’s Centre for the Arts, where there are countless opportunities for self-expression, creativity, connection, and spontaneity. She loves to paint, but kids can also participate in other programs, like poetry, drumming, storytelling, clay, live percussion, music therapy, drama, woodwork, ceramics, and puppetry.
This weekly art program provides the Bigioni family, and families like them, with short-term rest and relief from the physical and emotional demands of caring for a child with a disability.
Like many other families of children with special needs, Emily’s family depends on Bloorview’s respite care programs. It’s not surprising. The strain on a family raising a child with a disability can be debilitating. Too many families fall apart because of it. “You don’t realize how tired you are and how much you needed the break,” says Sandra. “Bloorview is that place for Emily to go for us to have a rest.”
Bloorview’s respite programs provide both high quality medical care and recreation activities for children, so that families feel comfortable taking a break knowing that their child is receiving excellent care in a safe and stimulating environment. The respite programs can be a lifeline. They help parents devote time to one another, and to siblings. They help kids with disabilities stay in their homes and they help keep families together.
But as much as Bloorview has to offer, it’s just not enough. There is more demand than the hospital can meet and families need more time to recharge and re-energize. When Vito learned that funding had been cancelled for Emily’s favourite March Break respite camp, he swung into high gear to ensure that his daughter and other kids had the opportunity to attend these important fun filled interactive camps.
Vito is trying to raise $1 million for Bloorview’s Family Support respite care programs via the Foundation’s personalized fundraising page at www.bigioni.giftsofpossibility.ca. It seems like a daunting task, but every morning Vito’s inspiration is reinforced when he sees his beautiful daughter, Emily.
Without a doubt, for the Bigioni family, giving truly is more powerful than receiving.
