How Mehkai’s family empowers him to thrive
For Janna and Rammon, one of the greatest joys of parenting is watching their sons experience something for the first time and helping them mature and grow in kindness.
“Seeing them put into practice what we can teach them, that’s awesome,” says Rammon.
Their youngest son, Mehkai, is an outgoing six-year-old with rare developmental conditions; he’s also filled with infectious joy, determination, and a spark that draws others to him.
For Janna and Rammon, empowering Mehkai means focusing on his abilities and strengths—and adapting to meet challenges with creativity. “We look at what he can do and how he can adapt,” Janna says.
One of those opportunities for creativity came when Mehkai wanted to play soccer like his big brother, Tyrese. He was frustrated that he couldn’t run as fast as the other kids. But instead of giving up, Rammon found an adaptive soccer program for him.
“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper, like really brave and not afraid of the ball,” says Janna. “So it’s just finding those avenues that can keep up his passion and encourage him to not give up.”
When Mehkai wanted to ride a bike with Tyrese and the neighbour kids, his parents set out to find a solution. Mehkai’s scoliosis and hip rotation made pedaling a standard bike impossible, so Janna began researching other options.
She found an adaptive model that worked for Mehkai and applied to Variety BC to help cover the expenses. Now, Mehkai can ride alongside his family and friends. “He has so much enthusiasm, wanting to do things and try things,” says Rammon.
There are hard days where pain slows Mehkai down; but his parents are there to encourage him and remind him of all the positives he brings to others.
“He’s a cool kid, and we love him for who he is,” says Rammon.
This month, we’re honouring the courage and resilience of strong Variety parents like Rammon and Janna. Stay tuned for new blog posts with more insight from parents!