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Leukemia, bacterial meningitis, and surgeries to replace both hips and shoulders. Moving from a wheelchair to using a walker to walking on his own.
These are some of the obstacles Donovan Thiessen, 20, of Winnipeg’s McIvor Ave. MB Church, has faced and overcome in the past six years. He was recently recognized for it with a “Yes I Can!” award from the Council for Exceptional Children, one of only 27 people around the globe so honoured.
Donovan, who has developmental challenges, was diagnosed with leukemia at 14, while in Burkina Faso with his missionary parents. He fought the cancer and subsequent medical problems, and has worked hard through physiotherapy to regain his mobility.
He told a Winnipeg Free Press reporter, “It was because of my spirituality. God helped me through it. It was quite a bit of work, but I set my mind to it.” He also said his mission is to inspire others to persevere through life’s tests.
—from Winnipeg Free Press
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