Angel's Story

Images Captured by Lynne Williams 

www.lynnewilliamsphotography.ca

Tiny Light Angel has the perfect name – she truly is an angel and inspiration to everyone she meets. While this brave 16-year-old spends much of her time going from one medical appointment to another, she doesn’t dwell on that. Instead, she spends all her spare time helping other sick children. So far, Angel has raised a whopping $100,000 for Variety - the Children’s Charity.

Angel was born with Trisomy 21 (also known as Down syndrome), and then at the age of 4, she was diagnosed with autism. She also has a number of other health complications, including hypothyroidism, vision dysfunction, chronic urinary tract and upper airway infections, obstructive sleep apnea and scoliosis. She is a high risk choker and has choked hundreds of times. Some of these conditions can become life-threatening at any moment. Angel has undergone several surgeries with at least one more later this year.

Parents Cheryl and Arnold call their amazing daughter the light of their lives. “She has been forced to become courageous in situations where she’d rather just crumble and cry or run away and refuse medical treatment. Yet she does not wallow in pity.” When Angel cries, it is never for herself. It is for all the other sick children she has met on her journey.

This Tiny Light has a very busy and active life. She has published a cookbook benefiting Variety and pediatric care at three Vancouver Island hospitals. She also fundraises for BC Children’s Hospital and The Canadian Cancer Society. Angel finds time to have fun too, especially on the ice – competing in interpretive figure skating and playing ice hockey. She sings, plays piano and guitar. Her dream is to one day become a chef and actor.  “Angel amazes each of us daily with her joy and enthusiasm for life.”

Written by Elaine Yong