Empowering Each Other
Helping Andrew Create Awareness
My name is Andrew Woodrow, and I have had the incredible honour of serving as the 2024-2025 Easter Seals Ambassador for Newfoundland and Labrador.
They say time flies when you’re having fun, and this year has truly flown by. It’s hard to believe that my time as Ambassador is coming to an end. This role has been so much more than just an opportunity—it has been a journey of personal growth, connection, and gratitude.
One of my favourite parts of being Ambassador was working with the media to spread awareness about Easter Seals and the life-changing programs that support so many people with disabilities. Through this experience, I became a more confident public speaker—something that has helped me not only in my role here but also in school, debate club, and everyday life.
Easter Seals has been a part of my life since I was 13 years old, and the opportunities it has given me are immeasurable. From wheelchair basketball, swimming, overnight camps, and fun nights to family days and camp days, I have been able to take part in so many enriching experiences. It was through Easter Seals that I was introduced to boccia, a Paralympic sport similar to lawn bowling or curling. What started as a new hobby turned into a passion, leading me to compete nationally in Quebec and Ontario. This year, at the 2024 Canadian National Boccia Championships, I was honoured to receive the prestigious Gilles Henry Spirit of the Game Award. I am also proud to share that I have been selected as a member of the 2025 Boccia Canada National Espoir Team and will be representing Canada in Brazil this March at the World Youth Boccia Championship. None of this would have been possible without the support of the staff, volunteers, and participants at Easter Seals, who introduced me to the sport and provided the equipment and accessible facilities I needed to train and grow.
Easter Seals is a place where, the moment you walk in, your disability is left at the door. Everything—from the building to the amphitheater to the park—is fully accessible, allowing me and so many others to participate in activities freely, without barriers. My friends and I are able to live our best lives because of this safe, inclusive environment. And none of it would be possible without the generosity of people like you.
I have also seen firsthand the dedication and hard work of the staff and volunteers who make Easter Seals NL what it is. Their impact has inspired me to give back, and I now proudly volunteer at summer Youth Camp and Junior Boccia every week. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to support an organization that has given me so much.
To all the staff, board members, government representatives, and members of our community here today—thank you. Your ongoing support ensures that people with disabilities can enjoy life to the fullest, regardless of their abilities.
I would also like to give a special thank you to Wendy Edison Freake, and the Fraser Edison Easter Seals Ambassador Trust (FEESAT). I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted into the Faculty of Engineering at Memorial University for Fall 2025. This scholarship will help me achieve my goal of becoming a civil engineer, so that one day I can create more inclusive spaces, ensuring that people with physical disabilities can live barrier-free in their communities. I am deeply grateful for this support.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor, for hosting this wonderful event and for her ongoing support of Easter Seals NL as a patron. Your kindness and generosity make a meaningful impact on our community, and I am truly honoured to be here today.
Together, all of you have helped me remove the ‘dis’ from disability. Your support has allowed me to dream big, push boundaries, and embrace every opportunity that comes my way.
From the bottom of my heart—thank you.