Being strong for Mavi | Toronto Sun

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Dalia Valle is 11 years old. She loves dogs, art and fashion. Her favorite color is light blue. “In the future, I really want to be a mother,” she says, “and a nurse, or a scientist, or a teacher, someone who will help the world.” Maybe start a business like her mother Zhanna, who has an art studio.

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“My brother Maverick and I have always been best friends,” Dahlia says.

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I first met them at Variety Village, a grand sports center in Scarborough that caters to children with disabilities. This is Dahlia's take on how they got there – Mike Strobel

Dalia Valle, guest column

It all started on January 27, 2023. I was hanging out with friends during recess and saw Mavi alone in his snow fort, so I went to check on him. He cried and said he had a headache so I helped him get to the office. Then he continued to vomit, and I was scared. My parents (Jeanne and Mario) came to pick him up. They brought with them my little brother Salvador, who was only two months old at that time.

Their friends came to pick me up from school early. They told me that my brother had just had a doctor's appointment and that I was going home with them. But something was wrong. It was strange and confusing. My parents told me over the phone that Mavi was in the hospital. I didn't really know why.

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“I cry before I go to sleep”

I stayed the night and slept in my school uniform. I remember crying myself to sleep. The next day I went to a friend's birthday party, still in shape, but very upset and crying.

It turns out Mavi had something called a ruptured AVM (ed. note: arteriovenous malformation). My grandmother Jeanie flew in from New Brunswick that day, and it ended up being just me, her, and my dog ​​Brian at home for several months. My parents and Salvador stopped by the Sick Kids hospital.

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A week later I was able to visit my parents in the hospital, but I was able to see Mavi only after a month.

Finally.

“Pipes and Monitors”

I remember being so scared to see him. I had no idea what it would look like. As soon as I saw him, I started crying. There were so many tubes and monitors, it was so overwhelming, but I tried to be strong for Mavi.

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It was very difficult at school. People were asking me every five seconds what happened to my brother. About two months and several surgeries later, Mavi moved to Holland Bloorview (a children's rehabilitation hospital). They cared much more about sibling involvement and it was really nice to be able to help with things like his feeding tube and his therapy. In August my brother was discharged from Holland Bloorview. A year later, Mavi walked for the first time since he got sick! It was really exciting and I was so proud!

“My brother is amazing”

My brother is amazing. I'm so proud of him. He has been through a lot and always moves forward no matter what. If I could wish for Mavi it ​​would be that he gets better and doesn't need a wheelchair or walker and everything can go back to the way it was.

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Variety Village has truly impacted our lives. It's such an amazing place and I love that everyone can get involved. My whole family uses it and I love that it suits all abilities. Mavi plays Volt Hockey and Challenger Baseball. Salvador and I go swimming. Christmas Sun Fund is important because it helps children like Mavi reach their potential.

They say that people who have disabled siblings are more empathetic and understanding of others. This is true.

We know what it means to care and help.

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Your donation matched this week!

Variety Village accompanied Mavi and his family step by step throughout his long and difficult recovery. Therefore, attract donors to Christmas Sun Fund.

Now, two anonymous readers, blessed by the spirit of the season, have decided to make donations before December 7th, up to a maximum of $50,000. The timing is perfect as Giving Tuesday falls this week.

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Watch for newspaper advertisements or donate directly to sunchristmasfund.ca. This week, your gift will be doubled in value – plus you'll join these recent donors on our honor roll:

Agatha and Vince Lisi, Etobicoke, $25.

Alice White, Whitby, $25.

Joseph and Eva Adams, Stouffville, $100.

Bud and Sharon Gardiner, Barrie, $100.

Kenneth Pelley, Pelley's Conveyor Ltd., Vaughan, $500.

M. Robertson, Pickering, $15.

Jennifer Hubbard, Scarborough, $250.

Louise Cohen, North York, $50.

Ernest and Elizabeth Barnes, Etobicoke, $200.

Robin Maraj, Toronto, $20.

Nancy Gallone, York, $30.

Marianne Meinel, Scarborough, $25.

Lola M, Toronto, $80.

Linda Edwards, Etobicoke, $25.

Jack and Linda Meyer, North York, $100.

Carmine and Louise Ricci, North York, $30.

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Gordon Walsh, Pickering, $50.

Anonymous, North York, $100.

Alexander Gass, Etobicoke, $300.

Mike O'Hearn, Scarborough, $100.

Dragana Sivac, Scarborough, $50.

Joe Bowen, Markham, $100.

Karen Howie, Bath, $50.

Maria Teresa Turchetti, Scarborough, $200.

Robert Scott, North York, $25.

Anonymous, Toronto, $100.

Grace Bruce, North York, $50.

Anonymous, Toronto, $50.

Brian and Suzanne Sambleson, Scarborough, $30.

Allan Robinson, Oshawa, $25.

Ryan McDonald, Barrie, $30.

Anonymous, Pickering, $100.

Wanda McPake, Scarborough, $500.

Custom Door and Lock Services, Scarborough, $500.

Anonymous, Toronto, $100.

Rose Marie Scholes, Etobicoke, $30.

Richard Stankiewicz, Scarborough, $25.

Shari Payne, Toronto, $100.

Anonymous, Scarborough, $30.

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Peter Karavos, East York, $100.

Andrew Evin, Oshawa, $25.

Paul Beeston, Toronto, $250.

Virginia Solomon, Toronto, $50.

Carol Jean and Alistair McGrady, North York, $100.

Donald Rowley, Milton, $25.

Jack Boland, Toronto, $100.

Mary Switzer, Toronto, $100.

Janet Smith, Aurora, $100.

John Scott, Brampton, $100.

Shawn Hill, Scarborough, $100.

Wilma Lee, Oshawa, $100.

David Masters, Toronto, $500.

Sam and Mahrukh Mehta, Scarborough, $500.

Sharon Hasbury, Oakville, $25.

Florence Morris, Scarborough, $25.

George Spadafore, Georgian Bluffs, $30.

George and Joan Chisholm, Milton, $500.

Lois Skyvington, Cobourg, $100.

Tony Xiong, Scarborough, $300.

Ron Gray, Toronto, $100.

Ruth Ransom, Mississauga, $125.

Anonymous, $50

Donna Goldstein, Toronto, $35.

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Roger and Doreen Chambers, Peterborough, $200.

Delia Chong, Mississauga, $20.

Janet Morrison, Eganville, $100.

Bernice Leone, Scarborough, $25.

William and Colleen Busby, Etobicoke, $100.

Debra Dulagsing, Otonabee, $50.

William Dick, Oakville, $25.

Margaret McNeil, North York, $100.

Tom and Nina Tashos, Etobicoke, $150.

Margaret Robertson, Pickering, $15.

Jackie Hogan, Toronto, $200.

Krishan Puri, Scarborough, $75.

Karen Moscrop, Scarborough, $150.

Patricia Fell, Orillia, $30.

Donna Firman, Toronto, $50.

Linda Snoyer, Oakville, $150.

Didi Vandenberg, Kitchener, $40.

Peggy Noble, Wasaga Beach, $50.

Virginia Solomon, Toronto, $50.

Ann Ryan, Toronto, $50.

Mark Singleton, Scarborough, $25.

Barry Ross, Brampton, $30.

Jean Whynot, Scarborough, $250.

Pauline Shatford, Burlington, $50.

Dorothy Russoff, Toronto, $50.

TOTAL TODAY: $58,297.

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