Ambassadors Lead The Way To Success!
Victoria Scott (Youth Ambassador) and Paul MacDonald (Adult Ambassador) team up to show us what ability is all about.
About Paul MacDonald - 2012 Adult Ambassador
SMD Foundation/Easter Seals™ Manitoba is proud to welcome Paul MacDonald as the new Adult Ambassador for 2012-2013.
Paul is an individual who doesn’t like to be in the limelight. He’s not looking for fame, glory or riches. Rather, he is an individual who finds that volunteering makes him feel good and that it is a gift to give freely of oneself.
About 10 years ago, Paul took a computer course offered through Vocational Services at the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities (SMD). While learning computer skills, Paul also found that he enjoyed helping his classmates. As an SMD volunteer, he now teaches information technology to countless people with disabilities that SMD serves (consumers) in the SMD computer training classroom. He has been a valuable asset to SMD and has contributed over 2500 hours of volunteer service since 2004.
In 2008, Paul was awarded the SMD Gord Young Volunteer Award of Distinction, presented to an outstanding volunteer who is a positive role model and who excels in his or her placement, demonstrates leadership qualities such as initiative, problem solving and teamwork, and is involved with making positive changes or recommendations to help SMD strive for excellence on a continual basis. This volunteer lays aside his or her struggles to ensure the betterment of the community without seeking recognition or reward.
In 2009, Paul was invited to contribute his talents to the writing of a publication for SMD Volunteer Week called Reasons to Volunteer. He explained that the benefits of volunteering include self respect which comes from working side by side with others and by sharing life skills and knowledge while developing a sense of self worth that comes from being a team player.
In 2011, Paul was the recipient of the first ever Safeway Celebration of Ability Award that was presented at the 2011 Volunteer Awards hosted by Volunteer Manitoba.
Paul enjoys creating YouTube videos that show the world from the perspective of individuals in wheelchairs and the barriers that exist for people with disabilities. Paul’s also involved with writing informative articles for the Canadian Paraplegic Association newsletter. He enjoys finding creative ways to educate and to raise awareness of issues that affect people with disabilities. His interests also include listening to music and exploring science.
According to Paul, “the new role of Adult Ambassador will allow me to take my volunteer work to the next level. While representing an organization I truly believe in, I will be able to continue my advocacy of removing barriers and equal treatment and opportunities for all persons living with disabilities.
Paul believes in “living ability”, and hopes that this has an impact on others. Paul says, “You can do anything you want to do as long as you want it bad enough.”
About Victoria Scott - 2012 Youth Ambassador
Last year, SMD Foundation/Easter Seals™ Manitoba proudly introduced Victoria Scott as our Youth Ambassador. Victoria is 9 years old, bright, very cheerful and always smiling. In each of our community events and campaigns, she displayed her enthusiasm for taking on new challenges.
We appreciate Victoria’s commitment to our organization and look forward to another successful year.
Victoria' s hobbies are swimming and playing music. She has been swimming since she was just a few months old and loves being in the water. She also takes violin lessons and plays the piano at an entry level. Victoria is very creative and loves to put on shows and sing. She brings out her creativity in writing stories and reading books. She enjoys watching TV with her dad and play with her two little shih tzu dogs Mimi and Sofie. Often Victoria makes arrangements to have her friends over for play dates and loves to do the typical little girl activities. Victoria enjoys spending time with her 3 brothers and sister, her grandparents whom she is very close, and loves visiting her granny in the country.
Although her aspirations change quite frequently she has stuck with the desire to be a Rock Star the longest. In fact, Victoria loves to be in the spotlight. She has met Mayor Sam Katz and former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Paul Martin.
As a consumer of SMD since birth, Victoria recognizes the importance of the programs and services that SMD provides. She believes in strengthening the presence that SMD has in the community and in reducing the barriers that individuals with disabilities encounter. Victoria has enjoyed the SMD Leisure and Recreational programs such as the day camps. She has met many new friends through these recreational venues.
As a family, the Scott's are grateful for SMD as it has been empowering and encouraged independence for Victoria.
If you are interested in sending your words of encouragement to our Ambassadors, please email us at foundation@smd.mb.ca