Big League Dream

Anyone who knows Alain knows he loves hockey. Like most of the boys in his hometown, Alain is at the local arena every chance he gets. Alain was born with spina bifida and has never been able to play hockey himself, but he always accompanied his brother Daniel to games, and offered the team pointers in the dressing room. The boys' coach made him an honorary member, and when Alain was 10, his team named him 'most valuable player' at a local tournament.

As much as he always loved his hometown team, Alain's dream was big league: He wrote to tell us that his dream was to see his favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs in person. "I will never be able to play, but I sure love a good game of NHL Hockey."
Alain's dream came true with a trip to Toronto to see the Leafs win a game (in overtime) at the Air Canada Centre. Alain's special day included watching a practice, visiting the dressing room, and a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

After the trip, Alain's mother wrote to tell us "he is still telling his family and friends how awesome the Sunshine Foundation has been to him." Alain's favourite part of the trip was when Dion Phaneuf autographed his practice stick, and presented it to Alain. The stick now hangs proudly over Alain's bed, but mom laughs to remember their return to the Halifax airport, with Alain waiting and watching the baggage carousel. "He didn't care if our luggage got lost as long as he had Phaneuf's stick."