Empowering people of all abilities to SAIL through life's transitions! We aim to provide folks (12+
21/03/2025
Today is World Down Syndrome Day! We celebrate everyone born with this extra chromosome, the wonderful people they are, and the outstanding accomplishments they have achieved. Everyone is unique and we are grateful to have people living with Down Syndrome, along with many other folks in the world, to teach us to be kind, loving, and inclusive and to embrace the beauty of being one-of-a-kind!
Inclusion will never be possible if the decisions that shape the world are made only by a few, for a few. From having a say in everyday personal choices to b...
17/03/2025
Don't forget to join our virtual art session at 6:30 PM on Friday! Please get in touch with us if you have any questions on how to join 😁
17/03/2025
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! How are you celebrating today?
Feel free to share any art, decorations, or fun outfits :-)
17/03/2025
We are working to start posting content on here again! Let us know what you would like to see us post :-)
07/01/2024
It was a great game vs a Very Solid Team .. Solid goaltending by both Teams ! Thanks Again for the Live coverage , n the Always Great for announcing ! WE how prepare for Game 3 of the season next Saturday in Hamilton !
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We believe everyone is capable of achieving amazing things with the right support, and “amazing” looks different for each person! Unfortunately for adults living with disabilities in Ontario, many services end upon finishing high school. The transition to adulthood is so drastic, many people with and without disabilities describe it as “falling off a cliff.” Families experience unimaginable stress, individuals feel lost, and there is little guidance provided to find the right resources needed for adults with disabilities to discover their "path" while loved ones and caregivers struggle to find adequate respite. For many, it is a dark time that can lead to burnout, isolation, and a variety of mental health challenges. Meanwhile, many peers who do not live with disabilities are embarking on a new adventures that, while they may feel nervous, fill them with excitement. This significant difference in experience during young adulthood should not exist, which is the main inspiration behind Cliff Gliders!
You may be asking, "How do you know what it feels like to grow up and live in the adult world with a disability?" If so, that's a great question! Co-founders, Madison Bush and Nicole Turner, have lived this experience personally. We were each born with different physical disabilities and definitely took a tumble down the cliff. At the same time, we survived and now have a passion to make sure others have the support and skills needed to SAIL into adult life, starting to explore your passions, hopes, and dreams; just like your "able-bodied" friends! There are going to be lots of bumps along the way, just like a hang glider may encounter some turbulence, but that's natural and we want to support you along your journey. Likewise, we have seen how challenging it is for our families to go through this transition with us, trying to decide when it's right to step back and when they are needed to fight by our sides. This is why we provide support for the loved ones of those with disabilities, you work hard and it's important to know you're not alone! Not to mention it's hard for most parents/caregivers to "let go" of their kids, never mind when those kids have additional challenges. We get it, and we're here to help you too!
WHAT WE DO
We believe strongly in transparency, so it's important for us to let you know this is a new endeavor for us and we will be learning along the way with you! Given this, it's important for you to let us know what's helpful and what we need to change. We also want you to know we will be starting small and slowly increasing services as funding and resources allow.
OuOur pilot program began in January and included:
Weekly activities for adults with disabilities. While this service was put on hold in response to Covid-19, it is important to note they will resume as soon as possible. Some of these events are focused on developing specific skills, while others are about having fun and making new friends! In addition, there will be activities specifically designed for youth ages 12 to 17!
Connecting to resources (housing options, respite care providers, mental health services, etc.). This service continues to be available to those living with disabilities as well as their loved ones/caregivers!
Advocating for system-level changes. There are many policies creating barriers to living meaningful, dignified, independent lives for those of us living with disabilities. Simultaneously, there are lots of ways communities and governments can make sure all citizens are included. We promise to amplify your voices to create positive changes for people with disabilities and their families/caregivers!
Though our pilot program has officially concluded, we are continuing to provide many of the services outlined above, as well as:
Individual virtual sessions with Nicole and/or Madison to work on goals or socialize, with the hope of reducing the negative impacts associated with social isolation!
Individual virtual mental health check-ins with Nicole as frequently as may be needed.
Biweekly virtual group "hangouts", during which time participants may socialize, play games, and plan fun activities to do together on Zoom!
As the program evolves, we hope to develop:
Daily activities (timing will vary according to feedback and nature of the programming)
Social enterprise opportunities where participants may learn to cook or create something and sell it, thereby supporting the organization
Temporary housing/residential respite care to help prevent caregiver burnout and promote independent living/create a safe place for people to live if they are experiencing abuse and waiting for assisted living accommodations!
We thank you for your patience as we grow and learn, please give us your feedback at any time because it can only help us improve our services!
WHO WE ARE
Madison Bush
I was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. At a very early age, my parents taught me how to be independent. Over the years I have taken their life lessons and turned it into a passion for helping others do the same. I enjoy being a role model for others and helping make the world a better place. Throughout high school, I was involved in many groups such as Best Buddies and Girls Helping Girls. These passions continued into the many courses I took in college and university. I was then given the opportunity to give back to an organization that has been there for me since I was born. I started working as a Youth Engagement Facilitator at Thames Valley Children’s Centre. Over the last five years, this job has opened so many doors for me. I have learned more than I ever thought imaginable about other disabilities, community partners, and gaps in services that I did not realize were missing. My different passions in life, combined with my knowledge of services within London and area, have sparked a new passion to fill in the missing gaps. From this new passion, came what we are now calling Cliff Gliders. I hope to see this new organization create positive changes in people's lives, and I look forward to getting to know many people and hear of their unique stories.
Nicole Turner
I have always been positive, determined, and passionate about justice. I was born with cerebral palsy, yet I don't think I realized I was different from other people until around grade 4 (even then, I decided it wasn't going to change my hopes and dreams). Despite a troubling prognosis at birth, my family raised me like any other child and supported me to be as independent as possible. Upon graduating high school, I began a new journey at King's University College, where I studied social work and thanatology while working part-time as a Youth Engagement Facilitator at Thames Valley Children's Centre. Once I completed my undergrad, I headed to Wilfrid Laurier University to obtain my Master's in social work, focusing on program development, advocacy, and policy change. I have also had the opportunity to provide social work services to families whose children were diagnosed as living on the autism spectrum. Outside of paid work, I have engaged in many volunteer opportunities to gain a wide range of experiences. However, I have seen many of my friends living with disabilities be unable to follow their dreams due to inadequate services, which inspired the idea of Cliff Gliders! I'm looking forward to meeting many of you and creating much-needed change together!
