Luke Kowal
I'm Deadlfting to help make a Dream Come True - and I need your help!
How incredible would it be to be able to make a dream come true for a child that could really use an extra boost of hope?
I'm participating in Deadlifts for Dreams 3 to bring dreams to life for children in Manitoba battling life-threatening illnesses, and I need your help to make a dream come true!
On September 11th, 2021, deadlifters in Manitoba (including me!) are coming together for a fun-filled competition with one goal in mind: making dreams come true. Every dollar we are able to raise stays right here in Manitoba to help kids in our province.
More specifically, every dollar raised will directly support the dream come true of an incredibly strong young woman in our community: Jasmine. Jasmine is 14-years-old and has a rare lung condition. Her dream is to visit Montreal, Quebec this summer.
But don't take it from me! I've included a letter from Jasmine herself below, as well as a link to her story on The Dream Factory website.
Link: https://www.thedreamfactory.ca/blog/meet-jasmine
To be able to give the gift of a dream to a child in need is a truly wonderful thing. I would be so appreciative to have your support so that, together, we can bring Jasmine's dream to life right here in our community.
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A Letter from Jasmine
I’m Jasmine, and I have a rare lung condition called PCD, which is short for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. That means my cilia (AKA my nose hairs and ear hairs) don’t function like most people’s. My cilia don’t help my body clear out mucus and bacteria so basically I must do it myself.
The method that I use at home to help my lungs is a 30-40 minute treatment starting with a “nebulizer”, which is a saline solution that I inhale, before using a device we call a “PEP”. A PEP is a tool used to create resistance during breathing exercises that forces the bacteria and mucus from the bottom of my lungs to prevent the risk of infection.
If I don’t treat my lungs 3 times a day, I start feeling sick with a headache, a fever and it becomes more difficult to breathe. Another thing that comes along with having a condition is needing to go to the hospital yearly for what I call a “tune up” which is IV medicine for a 2 week period.
As a quirky, outgoing and positive person, I try to make friends with the nurses and doctors, and even with a PICC line in my arm, I still request to do exercises. The difficult thing about having a condition like this is the big responsibilities that come with it and always making sure that I stay on top of it.
However, this suits my personality, because PCD has shaped me into a responsible, organized, and independent person. I always make sure that my treatments are done, even if that means they are during school or sleepovers.
Beyond my condition, you’ll see that I'm a bubbly and mature girl who loves everything about life. I make an effort to have a positive outlook on life every day. I am told that I am an ‘old soul’. I’m friendly and kind, and always put people before myself, especially my family and friends. In my life, my biggest achievements so far have been team captain for my ringette team, school ambassador and winning the award for most dedicated player of the Grunthal Ringette Association.
So if you haven't realized yet, the most important things in my life are my family, friends, school and sports, in that specific order! Because we live in the country outside of a small town, I also like to spend time with my dad outside helping him with the horses.
I look forward to what the future will bring, and one of my biggest dreams is going to Paris*. My future plans include going to college or university, getting a very good job and traveling the world. First on the list would be a Dream Trip to Paris, when it is safe to do so, of course.
*DREAM TRIP UPDATE: As a result of COVID-19 and continued travel restrictions, Jasmine and her family have decided to take a Dream Trip that will be the absolute next best thing to Paris: Montreal, Quebec! Jasmine and her family will be travelling to Quebec at the end of August; and she looks forward to sharing photos and stories from her dream come true with all of the lifters at #D4D3 on September 11th!