deborahwillows

Come and meet Deborah L. Willows, Paralympian, painter, speaker, and author.

When Deb was a young girl, she was watching the Olympics with her father. As she watched the swimming events, Deb piped up and said, “I want to do that.”

What happens to someone whose parents were advised to put her in an institution when she was just a young child? Someone who was told she would never amount to much of anything? Someone who was born before store owners, school boards, and government officials even talked about accessibility?

Deb faced many hurdles over the years, but instead of giving in and giving up, she saw them as opportunities. This remarkable woman blazed a trail for many who have followed. She has been involved in countless firsts in education, sports, business, etc.

She has come to see Cerebral Palsy as only “a slight setback” and has learned much about living beyond her circumstances.

Deb encourages those with physical and other challenges to set their sights high and “go for the gold.”

Debbie lives in Ontario with her service dog Koda.  She enjoys reading, writing, painting, and spending time with her ten nieces and nephews.