We recently moved our family to Muskoka. A new school, city and life.

Not long into the school year, our 8 year old son came home going on and on about his new best friend. Vitalina.

"She is from Ukraine Mom!" As he went on with excitement in his eyes and a bounce in his body he explained Vitalinia, and how she was learning to speak, and walk, and she "got to ride in a stroller".

You see, Vitalina and her incredibly strong family not only came to Canada to escape war. They came to give their daughters, Vitalina and Rita a safe and free life. Vitalina wasn't accepted into school in Ukraine due to her disabilities.

With an unknown disagnosis that has Vitalina's cerebral cortex firing constantly she is disabled to do the things most kids take for granted. But the thing is, it doesn't stop her from being full of joy. She is a perpetual smile and she lights up the room with her bright blue eyes and giggles. She also thrives at math and even helps her older sister with math problems!

Nick, the girl's father came to Canada on a Visa as a welder here in Muskoka last April. He waited and worked hard every day to set up their two-bedroom apartment with second-hand furniture and the basic essentials.

His wife and daughters were still back in Ukraine until January 2022. But as soon as they arrived, Vitalina was able to have the necessary surgery at Sick Kids to help calm her movements and gain some control, and in February, she was able to take her first independent steps!

As we have got to know this determined and loving family, I have felt a strong urge to help them ease into this new journey of their life in Canada. I have spent hours chatting with Olga and in our talks, I mentioned that I guess she didn't really have a choice. Regarding the move from their home country and all this hard work she's putting in to give the girls the life they deserve, and she responded.

"Oh, I had a choice. I could do nothing, or I could do everything. I chose everything."

Olga is home with the girls and studying hard to become a web developer. Olga will tell you the exercise is great, but she carries Vitalina to their 3rd story apartment every day, along with school bags and their pet dog Roxy. She continues to make home-cooked meals and pays extra for English lessons weekly for Rita and Vitalina.

One of the hardships they're currently facing aside from Vitalina's disabilities is that the stroller they have for Vitalina is not approved by the school bus system here in Ontario.

So every day, Olga walks the girls and the dog 25 minutes to school and then picks them up at the end of the day. That is great in summer and spring, but here in Huntsville, we see many feet of snow in winter and it's just not possible come fall for this arrangement to continue.

My wish is that if you can donate to this family, they can get the stroller they need for Vitalina to take the bus and maybe Olga can buy the cooking pans she hopes for so that she can make her favourite Ukrainian potatoes. I dream that Rita can go to Basketball camp this summer and Olga can afford to continue her studies. They would also really love to see Niagara Falls.

Beckett talks about Vitalina daily and they have a secret handshake with her feet and his hands. It's all quite precious. The friendship I have with Olga is something I never expected and I am so glad they made it to Canada where they are safe. I feel so lucky to be in their lives.

Olga continues to send any extra money back to her mom, who remains in Ukraine. Which of course, prohibits her from having the things they need here in Canada.

I can't help but feel a deep desire to help them. If you can find it in you to donate $5 to this incredible family, I will forever be grateful. As will Beckett and his new best friend's family.