A place of belonging, friendship and magic

And as a Holland Bloorview ambassador, Charlie is using his voice to make the world a more inclusive place for kids with disabilities.

“Holland Bloorview is like a home to me. The nurses and the staff treated me with such care as they helped me recover,” Charlie says. “It was quite a special time in my life. I wouldn't change it for the world.”

In 2022, Charlie’s life changed forever. At seven years old, he had emergency brain surgery to remove a tumour. After the surgery, communicating, sitting up and standing became immensely challenging and took most of his energy. 

For the next two months, Charlie’s journey to recovery began while staying as an inpatient at Holland Bloorview with his dad Julian. He quickly learned therapy can be fun and look more like play. 

Shooting hoops in physiotherapy and doing magic tricks for his “peeps” in occupational therapy were just some of the ways Charlie spent time. Baking delicious cookies, playing board games and making music with his new friends at Holland Bloorview were also highlights of Charlie’s stay. These therapeutic recreation evenings opened his mind to the ways kids of all abilities can play together.

“There was so much camaraderie between the kids. They were so naturally inclusive of each person's abilities. It was just so genuine, uplifting and something we'll never forget,” Julian says. 

Innovative, equitable, family-centered health care 

Charlie is one of over 9,000 children who access Holland Bloorview’s unique blend of specialized and client-centered care. With help from his care team, Charlie redeveloped his fine motor skills, coordination and movement between the left and right sides of his body. Finding ways to personalize his care made a huge difference for Charlie, who achieved his goal of doing jumping jacks after his surgery.

His parents were also amazed by how clinicians treated Charlie and other clients.

“They were speaking to Charlie and empowering him to make life decisions. It was very client-focused,” says Deb, Charlie’s mom. “Sometimes adults will speak to adults and the kid is right there. But at Holland Bloorview, the connection is to the child. They feel very seen.” 

Deb also believes there isn’t a better city in the world for their family to be in during this time. Internationally there are only a handful of research hospitals focused on pediatric disability care.

“A lot of cities around the world don't have anything like Holland Bloorview. We're very, very lucky,” says Deb.

Although Charlie is home again, he has become a staple in Holland Bloorview’s community. From raising over $6000 for Capes for Kids, to co-hosting Evening of Possibility in 2024, Charlie is making a difference in the lives of kids and youth with disabilities. His parents have also joined Charlie in making the world more inclusive. As Chief Risk Officer at OMERS, Deb co-led an incredible Capes for Kids team raising over $60,000 from a supportive community.

Now that Charlie is home again, he’s looking forward to the future and filling his days with playing basketball, swimming, singing, and bonding with his mom and dad.