Ramsay's Story

In 1999 Jan and Ron Ramsay were blessed with the safe arrival of their beautiful daughter, Sydney. That day was clouded by the fact that Sydney was born with a birth defect. Her parents were confronted with a decision no parent wants to make. After much anguish, the Ramsays were faced with the amputation of her lower leg. Life at the Ramsay household was subsequently filled with hospital visits, physiotherapy and doctor’s visits. Family life revolved around Sydney.

Zack, the Ramsays’ three-year-old son was a healthy, active toddler. While not comprehending fully his sister’s disability, he knew that his Mom and Dad were constantly attending to Sydney and her needs. Ron’s two children, Brandon and Amanda, were older and much more able to understand their sister’s needs. Many excellent programs existed in the city to assist disabled children. However, the Ramsays needed more.

They needed a place for Zack to go, a place where he would feel special and a place where Ron and Jan could go with both their children as a family. The YMCA of London filled that need completely. Jan Ramsay says, “The Bob Hayward Branch of the YMCA of London accepted our whole family.”

Zack had somewhere to go where “he felt as special as his sister.” Jan credits the YMCA with "socializing" Sydney to the point where she is perfectly comfortable with her disability and feels no stigma whatsoever.

The YMCA is Sydney’s second home. To Vinda, Ricardo and the other staff and members at the YMCA, Sydney is just "Sydney," not a girl with a disability but a normal, fun loving 7 year old girl.

Today, the Ramsays give back to the YMCA of London by volunteering. Jan volunteers in the child minding area and Ron is working towards assisting with our fitness programs.

The Ramsay’s and the YMCA together "build strong kids, strong families and strong communities."