I am taking part in Drop Zone for my son Rayan and for every child with a disability, anywhere in the world, who deserves the opportunity to dream big, participate fully, and be included.

Drop Zone isn't just another fundraiser-it's a unique opportunity to step outside our comfort zone for something truly meaningful and a cause we are deeply passionate about. I will be rappelling down the side of a 23-storey building in Halifax, Nova Scotia, taking on an unforgettable challenge while raising funds to help create accessible and inclusive opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.

Before coming to Canada, Rayan experienced significant barriers to education and community participation. Since moving to Nova Scotia, Easter Seals Nova Scotia has played a transformative role in his life. He has participated in many of its programs, including Learn to Ride, Learn to Dance, Learn to Sledge, and Camp Tidnish. As his parent, I had the privilege of staying with him during his first week-long residential camp experience at Camp Tidnish and witnessing firsthand how these opportunities built his confidence, independence, and sense of belonging.

These experiences inspired Rayan to pursue even more opportunities, achieve new personal milestones, and become a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion. Today, he shares his lived experience to raise awareness within newcomer communities across Nova Scotia and among families in our country of origin.

Recently, Rayan received national recognition for his leadership by being named the 2026 Rick Hansen Foundation School Program Difference Maker of the Year, becoming the only recipient from Nova Scotia this year. In 2025, he also received the Mel Hebb Youth Champion Award from the Partnership for Access Awareness Nova Scotia (PAANS) in recognition of his outstanding advocacy and community leadership.

Through the Rayan Foundation, and in collaboration with organizations such as Inclusion Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia League for Equal Opportunities, Easter Seals Nova Scotia, and the Halifax Malayali Association, Rayan continues to champion accessible and inclusive communities in Canada and beyond.

Taking on the Drop Zone is our way of giving back to Easter Seals Nova Scotia-an organization that has profoundly impacted our family's journey. Every metre I descend represents our gratitude and our commitment to ensuring that more children and families have the opportunity to experience the same confidence, belonging, and joy that Rayan has found.

For me, Drop Zone is an opportunity to support a cause that has changed our lives and helped us reimagine our perspectives. It is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion, while helping create a future where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Together, let's challenge ourselves to take one bold step toward building more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming communities for everyone.