We are excited to be chosen as the Charity of Choice for the 2021 Durham Region Association of Realtors® Annual Golf Tournament to be held on September 9th at Kedron Dells Golf Course in Oshawa. Their contribution will greatly benefit our efforts to spread awareness and celebrate the strength, bravery and perseverance of strong pediatric stroke and acquired brain injury survivors as they pursue their dreams in post secondary education. It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that others believe in our passions as much as we do. This type fundraising event seems perfect for our foundation as both our boys found a passion for golf after their strokes.
Andrew Vermeulen
Since the age of three, Owen’s always been involved in sports. At the time of his ischemic stroke at age 14, Owen had played Rep. soccer, played provincial ball hockey, involved with cross-country running, was playing Rep. hockey and was on his high school track team for long distance running. It was a heart breaking for us knowing that Owen would be hemiplegic the rest of his life, but it didn’t seem to phase Owen. He was given an opportunity through Grandview Kids to join a golf night with Geared to Golf, and Owen was hooked! Owen now has weekly session with his coach Jake, and they have plans for Owen to participate as a Para Golfer in tournaments soon.
After Andrew’s stroke at 10 years old, I was looking for safe activities for him to be part of and had read somewhere that golf can be beneficial for stroke survivors to help build up strength and immediately started him in lessons with Geared to Golf shortly after he was released from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre. After his first lesson he got in the car with a big smile on his face, looked at me and said “Mom, I think I’m really good at this.” At that moment I could see some of the self confidence that Andrew had lost resurface.
Owen DiManno
