Written by Yvonne Huynh, sister of Heroes with Ability participant, Pauline Wong.

Pauline had been working 5 days a week since she was 20 years old and it was a big leap to convince her to join group activities and be a part of the community, as she did not have many friends. Pauline has many hobbies, but her greatest love of all time is Rugby league. Since she was young, she used to collect football cards, stickers from the papers and knew all the players’ names and teams. Imagine her delight when Heroes with Ability gave her the opportunity to participate in group activities! She was just over the moon with excitement! I, as her sister ,was so happy to see that she was out, exercising and doing something she’d always wanted to do but never had the courage to do so. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, Marco and George, Pauline felt safe and comfortable in learning new skills in an unfamiliar environment. Leading to the Gala Day, she became more excited and she kept reminding me to come and watch her. I really didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, I had the day off work, and I was so glad that I came.

The delight on her face when she received her Jersey was enough to show me it was going to be an awesome day. She’s a quiet person but was encouraged and supported and I was so happy to watch her make a few good runs and passes. I could see the difference in what a few months of this wonderful program can make. She was coming out of her shell, made many friends and was supporting and encouraging everybody. She had the best day ever and I had never seen her so happy! I was extremely emotional because I was so happy for her that she could now enjoy something that she had always loved and wanted. This program is more than just a program. It has become a part of her life and I’m so happy she has been included in it. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. Yvonne Huynh The story of Pauline is just one of many that we aim to see over the coming months and years. When we started Heroes with Ability, we did it to provide a healthy life, to provide fun, to provide learning, but most of all to provide a chance for these heroes to do something that they love. Pauline is a hero and now you have the opportunity to help us ensure that we can enable more stories like Pauline’s. Your support will give these same opportunities to more heroes. By donating to Heroes with Ability, you are directly creating these opportunities for people just like Pauline. We really appreciate any contribution, great or small that you are able to provide to see more stories like this created through our programs. To donate, please visit https://heroeswithability.com/donate

Thank you Marco and George