When you ask Stacy to describe her daughter, Eva, her face lights up.
“Eva is just such a lovely kid. She’s bubbly, warm and friendly to everyone who meets her. She’s a joy to be around—and she’s very quick-witted too. She definitely gets that from me,” Stacy laughs.
Eva, a teenager with a bright personality and an even brighter smile, has been part of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) community since she was three years old. Now, her journey continues through the Lifestyles Afternoon Club—a weekly centre-based program designed for teens looking to socialise, build skills and have fun in a safe and inclusive environment.
And the best part? She gets to do it all with her best friend, Gigi, by her side.
One of the things Stacy and Eva value most about CPA is the sense of belonging.
“The minute you walk in the door, everybody knows Eva and they say, ‘Hi Eva, how are you?’ She knows everybody too. It’s just such a caring and nurturing environment,” Stacy explains.
That warmth, combined with the comfort of familiar faces, helped Eva flourish in the Afternoon Club—especially because she shares the experience with Gigi, her closest friend.
“She just loves being with Gigi,” Stacy says. “They have so much fun together. It’s beautiful to watch.”
From pamper parties and karaoke to baking cupcakes, colouring in, and making friendship bracelets, the Afternoon Club is packed with opportunities for Eva and Gigi to enjoy themselves and grow together.
“She came home raving about it to myself and my husband. She just couldn’t wait to go back the next week,” says Stacy.
Beyond the fun, Stacy has noticed incredible progress in Eva’s personal development.
“It’s been a joy to watch Eva gain more confidence, more happiness. Her communication has improved, she’s engaging in conversations more, and her fine motor skills have really developed—especially when she’s painting her nails during the pamper classes!”
These shared experiences with Gigi have made every week special and helped reinforce Eva’s growing independence and social confidence.
For Stacy, watching her daughter flourish is full of hope and pride.
“What excites me the most about watching Eva grow into the woman she’s going to become is that anything is possible. If you believe in yourself, and you’ve got a supportive family and the right programs around you, you can become whoever you want to be. And the Afternoon Club is a part of that.”
Stacy’s advice for other parents?
“If you have a teenager who’s looking to make new friends and achieve new goals, I couldn’t recommend Lifestyles Afternoon Club more.”
Eva’s journey is a beautiful reminder of how the right support—combined with joyful friendships—can build confidence, create lifelong memories, and open doors to what’s possible.
