SUKAINA DADA - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SMILE CANADA

SMILE, AND THE WORLD SMILES BACK AT YOU

I’m a brown-skinned, visibly Muslim woman on a quest to change the world. While I know that probably sounds cliché, my parents constantly (and I mean constantly) told me I could do and be whatever I wanted. My dad especially taught me that it didn’t matter if I am tiny – I am approximately 5 ft tall – or that I wear Hijab, or that I am a woman of colour, my voice could be heard, and I could make a difference. And that is exactly what I am attempting to do.

MY QUEST TO “CHANGE THE SYSTEM”

Since I was young, I was bothered by the inequities in society, especially in healthcare, education, and accessing social services. After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, I went on to do my Master’s at McMaster University to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. I then founded SMILE Canada - Support Services, a registered Canadian charity that supports racialised children and youth with disabilities, and their families.

In 2017, after three moves and two kids, I decided to pursue a PhD in Critical Disability Studies in the School of Health Policy and Management at York University to continue my quest to ‘Change the System.’

Some of the services that SMILE provides include:

• Pairing families and caregivers with a parent coach who has a background in speech, language or applied behaviour analysis (ABA) to address a challenged child’s needs

• Financial assistance in the form of scholarships to families who are in need of therapy, respite services, and adaptive equipment.

• Identify the needs of children, youth and their families and then connecting them with various government and private resources within the community to help access funding, respite, therapy, and other supports.

• Events, sports activities, workshops and lectures to create awareness and inclusion.

• One to one mentorship for academic and friendly support.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Being in graduate school, working full time and trying to be a good mom takes a lot of creativity. When not working, I love the outdoors. I love going for hikes and exploring nature trails with my family and friends. I’ve taken up paddle boarding and biking and I LOVE to travel and explore different cities and learn about different cultures and ways of life.

www.smilecan.org| info@smilecan.org | www.facebook.com/smilecanada/ | +1 647 952 8135