Scott and Olivia's Story

Beyond recreation therapy, respite and the Board of Directors: Evening bike rides

Scott joining ErinoakKids’ Board of Directors goes beyond wanting to have an impact on the organization’s decision making. He has a very special connection to ErinoakKids. 

When Scott’s daughter, Olivia, was just two years old, she was diagnosed with global developmental delay. After her referral, Olivia started her journey at ErinoakKids through speech and language, occupational therapy and music therapy programs. Olivia and her family have been with ErinoakKids for most of her life. 

 “She is just so lovely to be with,” says Scott. “At the moment, she doesn’t speak, but I am still holding out for the day she says ‘Dada.’ What we love to do most together is go on our nightly walks. It’s our thing.” 

When Scott and Olivia go on their evening stroll, Olivia takes the modified bike she received with the help of the physiotherapy staff at ErinoakKids. Scott walks beside her, and together, they go slow and enjoy each other’s company. 

“Having Olivia as my daughter has helped me in many ways,” says Scott. “I work in financial services, where I give investment advisors wealth management advice. When we had Olivia, I really saw a gap in disability planning. The advisors I worked with did not do Registered Disability Savings Plans, and I remember flagging how that wasn’t going to help my family or families like mine, so I really made sure parents like myself have the knowledge they need to plan for their child’s future.”

“I advocate for parents of children with disabilities in my work, but I was looking to take it further,” says Scott. “And I asked myself, ‘How do I take my passion for disability advocacy and apply it not only in my work, but outside of it? Where should I give my time?’ The Board of Directors at ErinoakKids was the perfect fit.”

Scott says Olivia has not only changed him and his wife’s life, but the lives of his two sons as well. 

“She makes all of us better,” says Scott. “My younger son has started volunteering with children with disabilities in Oakville. Olivia teaches all of us to be patient and loving.”

Olivia especially enjoys the time she spends in respite at ErinoakKids. She loves to be able to ride her bike, relax and be around friends. 

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