Meet Colton!
Colton Victor Gill was born in May 1998, entering into the world with purpose and speed.
He continued to embody these traits as he grew, climbing into cribs and scaling playpens to be with his younger brother Jarrett, always choosing to run instead of walk. He also took immense pleasure from being tactile with his surroundings: walls, surfaces, toys with wheels, food, and faces were his favourites.
Colton had a delightful sense of humour and loved to laugh. He attended Love and Learn pre-school, W.E. Breckon then Charles R. Beaudoin (CRB) elementary schools where he was an integrated student. Colton cherished being with his peers, listening to their stories and being included in their thoughts and conversations.
He had a special friend Kyle Woods who was a grade ahead of him, who would “steal him away” to play with the other kids at recess. When Colton graduated grade 8 – a huge milestone for someone with this disorder, Kyle came back to CRB for the evening to be Colton’s caregiver/friend for the dance (with Colton in his new suit, in the stander, with vent, oxygen, and other equipment attached) zipping him through the gym doors, where no parents were allowed, and crowds of grade 8 students were dancing to rock music on a crowded dance floor, with cell phones flashing: the best night of Colton’s life!
When Colton started high school at Robert Bateman in Burlington, he was no longer integrated with regular classroom peers. Disappointing as this was, he had excellent care in ‘The Centre.’ Here his love of art flourished, doing hand over hand painting with his fantastic support team. He joined a school club Youth in Action (attending with his mother) to continue to spend time around mainstream students.
When he was eight, he travelled with family and part of his team to India for stem cell brain surgery which helped him live almost five years past his life expectancy. Colton came to open hearts. His story is told in Colton’s Journey, a paperback book beautifully illustrated by his cousin, artist Kiel Wilson-Ciocci.
Colton was a handsome young man, with dark twinkling eyes. He loved to laugh, and had a quiet, focused, purposeful disposition. He succeeded in his journey to shine light in dark places.
Colton's mission continues through his legacy program Colton’s Project Possibility. He wanted to help “the kids” in India who were not as fortunate as him, and specifically requested that The Winning Team CG sponsor 283 health care projects.
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