Eight-year-old Ryerson Beardmore not only has an inspiring story to share — he’s “super excited” to tell it, again and again, at the 47th annual Easter Seals Telethon in his role as the 2019 Ambassador.
On Thursday (March 7th) at Lansdowne Place Mall, the Grade 3 James Strath Public School student, joined by his mom Erin, was officially introduced as details of the seven-hour fundraising telethon were revealed, including this year’s goal of $80,000.
With March declared Easter Seals Month by the City of Peterborough (Deputy Mayor Kemi Akapo read the proclamation), excitement for the big event on Sunday, April 7th will build over next month.
At the heart of the annual event is the celebration of success stories and, with that well in mind, Ryerson is perfect for the role.
“He started his life early and has been a fighter since,” says his mom Erin, noting her son was born with cerebral palsy.
“He makes everything look easy. He does horseback riding, swimming lessons; he’s gone to camp (Camp Merrywood near Perth, Ontario) for a couple of years on his own and he’s going again this year. It allows him to go and have fun and be a kid. He loves life.
“He definitely has his challenges. He gets botox injections, which is not his favourite thing. That helps loosen up his muscles and be able to walk and get out of his wheelchair and walker. That happened a couple of years ago now.”
But miracles don’t come without a cost.
For children with a physical disability, a power wheelchair costs anywhere from $10,000 to $32,000 depending on the need. Even something as simple as a specialized car seat can cost up to $2,200. And 10 days at an Easter Seals summer camp, like Camp Merrywood, comes with a bill of $2,500.
The telethon, explains Easter Seals senior development officer Coralie Jacobs, pays all or a portion of those costs for families throughout Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Northumberland, and Durham Region.
“Kids like Ryerson are the reason I stay focused throughout the year,” says Jacobs.
“This week energized me just getting to spend some time with Easter Seals families and attending other Easter Seals events. I can feel a little by myself out here but it reminds me I’m a part of something really big and that we’re a strong team and that we do some pretty fantastic things. I work for Easter Seals Ontario but, seriously, I work for the families and that’s what motivates me. And we’re having fun.”
Broadcast live on YourTV and Global Peterborough from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the telethon will feature a number of celebrity hosts such as Graham Hart and Mike Melnik doing interviews of guests and asking for donations. Also in the hosting mix for the 36th year is Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stuart Harrison.
“For someone to stand up and say ‘I need a little bit of help’ is not easy,” says Harrison, expressing his admiration for those who do, year after year.
“We try to make that as easy as possible and create a situation where they actually don’t have to ask. We do the asking for them.”
As for his telethon partner Ryerson, Harrison says he has come a long way, which is inspiring in itself.
“I remember Ryerson from his first time on the telethon. He was so shy that he couldn’t say anything. I talked to his mom and we started to get a sense of who he is. Now he’s the Ambassador and he’s kickboxing me in the chest.
“He’s a confident young guy and that’s just going to continue. I can’t wait to see him out and about in the community and raising a family and being a part of who we are. I’ve seen that time and time and time again with different kids, and those are just the ones that we see.”
Also joining Harrison at the telethon will be outgoing Ambassador Kaydance Lane.
While the telethon is the flagship event of Easter Seals Month, the organization will have a presence in other ways. A direct mail campaign will reach out to households across Ontario while, from March 29th to April 21st, the Easter Seals Paper Egg Campaign will see shoppers at select grocers and retailers invited to purchase a $2 egg.
And, of course, on telethon day itself, callers can phone in and make a contribution, or you do so ahead of time by visiting www.eastersealstelethon.org/peterborough
The telethon goal of $80,000 remains unchanged from last year, but it has typically been surpassed. In 2017, $113,000 was brought in.
According to Beardmore, her son will be one busy little boy over the next year, making appearances at golf and hockey tournaments and the annual Volleyball Smash Tournament hosted by Boston Pizza.
“It’s very special for him to be able to tell his story,” she says.
“He brings me so much joy every day. It’s amazing to be able to just see him play with others.”
Jacobs says the Beardmore family’s “willingness to come forward and share their story” is key to any success the telethon will meet.
“Not everybody is comfortable expressing that they require help,” she says.
“One of the unique things is the families believe in the value of expressing the importance of the ongoing need they have financially. Once people understand what we’re doing it for, it’s easy peasy.”
Easter Seals Ontario has served children and youth with physical disabilities since 1922. Last year, the organization fulfilled 786 approved requests for funding for equipment totaling $1.35 million. In addition, 763 campers, like Ryerson, participated in camping and recreation programs at Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeben near London.
For more information on Easter Seals, visit www.easterseals.org.
