Doctors warned them that Jesse would likely not survive his first year, and that if he did, he would never walk, talk or feed himself. His siblings had a different perspective. “It might be hard, and it might be sad,” they said, “but we can love him while he’s with us and we can make him happy.”
And so they did.
Jesse proved every prediction wrong. Two years after that first prognosis, he walked into the same doctor’s exam room, held his parent’s hand and said, loud and clear: “Car outside.”
Jesse went on to bowl, fish, curl and take long walks. A spinal cord injury in 2013 changed his life significantly, but not his spirit. Through the adjustment to life with a wheelchair, Jesse kept his smile and his unfailing good humour.
When ALS took Jesse’s father, and his mother Cheryl began facing physical challenges of her own, meeting Jesse’s needs at home became increasingly difficult. Then came what Cheryl describes as another miracle: a placement at a Reena residence — a neighbourhood home where accessibility, respectful support and social opportunities are woven into everyday life.
“The hope we’d long held for our amazing son — that he’d find independence and a future full of potential — was made possible by the kind and caring people at Reena,” Cheryl shares. Today, Jesse is making new friends, trying new things and doing it all with his trademark smile. “This new chapter in his life has been transformative for our family,” Cheryl says, “and we will be forever grateful to Reena.”
Individuals supported by Reena
Hours given by dedicated volunteers
Caring Employees
Impact
Joel Ashton Fogle has always known who he is. What he needed was the right support to show the world. His story is proof of what becomes possible when that support shows up.
When Andrew got a placement at Reena in 2001, it changed his life — and his sister Sarah’s too. Their story is about what’s possible when the right support shows up at the right time.
Every month, we share a new story of transformation, hope, and of course, impact. Help us showcase the incredible journeys in our community by nominating the next featured hero in our series – a program participant, a dedicated volunteer, or supportive family member!
Our Year of Impact celebrates the real people behind our mission. From Paige building skills for independent living, to Matthew pursuing his career dreams, these stories showcase what happens when we believe in potential and provide the right support.
We’re proud of the life-changing moments we help create, of the confidence we help build, and the independence we help achieve. But most of all, we are proud of the incredible individuals we serve who inspire us every single day to keep creating possibilities. Thank you for the positive impact you leave on us.
Your support helps us to continue making an impact for those we serve and in our community.
See Ways to Donate
By joining our volunteer team, you will directly contribute to the exceptional experiences and life-changing support we deliver every day.
Join Our Team
Amplify the story of someone you know in our Reena community and share the life-changing impact of our programs.
Share Our StoriesReena supports over 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities through a variety of services:
For more information about the services we offer, reach out to 905.889.6484 or info@reena.org
Your support directly helps fund transformational housing projects and vital programs, including day programs, respite services and employment support.
Your impact helps:
Housing: Helps address the 12,000+ person waitlist for specialized housing in Ontario
Programs: Funds equipment, activities, and services beyond the scope of government funding
Employment: Supports job coaching and career development services
Individual growth: Enables more journeys to independence and community engagement, helping all individuals to thrive
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! We are always looking for dedicated and caring individuals to join our team.
For full information on our volunteer recruitment process, visit reena.org/volunteer