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Astonished! Walk & Roll – 11th Annual CelebrationIn celebration of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Astonished! is thrilled to host our 11th Annual Walk & Roll—a family-friendly pledge event supporting the programs and initiatives of Astonished! Over an eight-week campaign, teams of four raise funds through pledges, mini community fundraisers, and social media. The campaign period runs from October 13 – December 6, with team registration now open. The fun concludes on December 6 when we gather as a community to celebrate and move together! If you have suggestions for community sponsors, please reach out to BCV@beingastonished.com.
Since its beginnings in 2015, the Walk & Roll has raised an incredible $277,186—growing from $5,000 in the first year to over $41,000 last year. Each year, nearly 100 participants and hundreds of generous donors make this event a success. This year, we are hoping YOU—our readers—will join the momentum by registering a team, supporting a team, or helping us find sponsors. Together, let’s make the 11th Annual Walk & Roll our best one yet!
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Kennen Hi, I’m Kennen! I’m 33 years old and I love spending time with my friends, whether that’s at Astonished! or just hanging out. One thing I’m really excited about right now is getting a Henna tattoo! At Astonished!, I really enjoy the Literacy Program because I want to learn how to text. I also love doing craft activities like painting and making wreaths. Being around my friends and other Core Members makes everything more fun!
A recent highlight for me was when my team and I raised the most money for the 2024 Walk and Roll event! Outside of Astonished!, I like collecting recipes from my friends and family (I have over four cookbooks!), listening to music, going for walks, and visiting my grandmas. Two things I’m looking forward to are getting a cell phone and going back to Alaska to see my sister again. A few fun facts about me: I speak fluent Spanish, I’m not really a fan of chocolate, and I don’t watch a lot of TV or movies. Thanks for reading and getting to know me a little better!
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A!TLC, Summer Programs & Social Club Update
What a summer it has been at Astonished! The months were filled with fun, adventure, social connection, and learning. From June to August, Core Members enjoyed the Big Sky Outdoor Adventure Program, exploring the outdoors together and building lasting memories. July and August also saw the return of Summer Literacy, where members worked on goals, built skills, and shared lots of laughs along the way. Be sure to check out our Social Media for week-by-week highlights!
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In September, A!TLC started back with energy and excitement. So far, we’ve done bucket list planning, visited Momentum Café, wrapped up the A! Garden, and attended the Tony Cote Welcome Back Powwow at First Nations University of Canada.
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Sean, Jerome, Kennen, Nathan, Dennis & Cass
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Student Researchers watching the Powwow
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Looking ahead, the fall session is already buzzing with enthusiasm! We’re excited for an outing to the Corn Maze at Cedar Creek Gardens, Adaptive Physical Activity Planning with Brenda Rossow-Kimball’s class, PATH beginning again, our Halloween Bake Sale on October 30, and all the Christmas season fun — wreaths, snow globes, ornaments, and of course, the always-special last day of the year at Prairie Spruce Commons, Rebekah’s condo home.
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Our Social Club also had a fantastic summer! In July, members tested their wizarding knowledge at Harry Potter Trivia Night at The Flats. In August, we gathered for our annual Summer BBQ at Candy Cane Park. To start September, we cheered on the Riders together in Mel Turbuck's parents’ garage (aka the media centre) — complete with snacks, laughter, and plenty of Rider pride!
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Logan showing his Rider pride!
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Kelsey & Jayda at Harry Potter Trivia Night @ The Flats
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Annual BBQ @ Candy Cane Park
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Landon, Nathan, Maggie & Nile at BBQ
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Garage party Cheering on the Riders
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Thank you to the City of Regina Sport and Recreation Stream grant for supporting the Big Sky Summer Outdoor Adventure.
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Garden of Wellness – Summer 2025 Recap
The Garden of Wellness wrapped up this fall with one last day together in the garden, closing out another wonderful season. From June through August, Core Members met weekly as a group to tend the garden and take part in art, nature, and leisure activities. Beyond the weekly sessions, Core Members also connected with Astonished! staff on a drop-in basis, enjoying time in nature and the chance to build friendships and share experiences. The garden became a space for creativity, wellness, and belonging, and its impact could be felt in every gathering.
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Paige, Jack, Happy & Sean
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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous donors, affectionately known as the Friends of Astonished. Your ongoing support makes the Garden of Wellness possible and ensures that Core Members have opportunities to connect, create, and thrive in community. Thank you for helping us nurture both the garden and the spirit of everyone who takes part.
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Saydlynne Reinhardt
My name is Saydlynne Reinhardt (Saydi). I have been with Astonished! since March of 2024 as a fieldwork student and then moved through roles as a Summer Literacy Leader, Program Support Person, and as Garden Lady Saydi!
After 5 long years of navigating University during the pandemic, I convocated with my Bachelor of Health Studies in June of 2024. Throughout my education and fieldwork placements, I developed a passion for person-centred programming, learning from people’s lived experiences, and fostering inclusion.
One thing about me, I will always try something new. That being said, I have a jillion things I love to do. Some include reading, drawing, playing video games, fibre arts, exercising and travelling with my partner! During the spring and summer, I can be found fussing over seedlings and tending to gardens.
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University of Regina Placement Students
Each semester, Astonished! has University of Regina students join our team. It is a mutually beneficial opportunity to learn together.
We are happy to introduce you to Happy Patel and Jetta Crone!
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Happy PatelMy name is Happy Patel, and I am in my final semester of a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a major in Human Kinetics.
Throughout my studies and hands-on experiences within volunteering program settings, I have developed a strong passion for supporting others and finding ways to improve their well-being.
At Astonished! I am gaining valuable insight into the everyday realities faced by young adults with complex physical disabilities. Beyond this, I truly enjoy building new connections with Core Members through social and recreational activities at A!TLC, as these moments create meaningful relationships and opportunities for building an inclusive community.
Outside of my academic and placement work, I enjoy drawing and cooking, hobbies that allow me to express my creativity and maintain a balance in my life. My time at Astonished! continues to inspire me to grow both personally and professionally, and I look forward to carrying this passion into my future career.
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Paige, Jetta, Jerome & Dennis
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Jetta Crone
Hi, my name is Jetta! I’m currently in my fourth and final year of Social Work at the University of Regina, and I am completing my mini practicum placement with Astonished!
The time I’ve spent at Astonished! so far has been amazing – from getting to know the staff, learning about the values of the program and establishing relationships with Core Members – it has been very rewarding and exciting to be a part of the team.
I’m excited to continue learning from Astonished! and the Core Members in the upcoming months, and I plan to carry this experience into my social work journey by creating inclusive environments, promoting accessibility, and adopting a strengths-based and person-centred approach. I’m grateful to contribute to the A!TLC program and Social Club Events, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the Fall brings!
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Music with EmmaCheck out some of the photos from our latest Music with Emma event!
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Holiday Feast - Save the Date
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Thank You
We are thankful for our collaboration with the City of Regina. Astonished! receives funding from the City of Regina Social Development Grant - to partially fund the Social Club.
In the letter accompanying the grant, the city wrote “Your program provides supportive, meaningful, and accessible social, recreational, and cultural activities to young adults with complex physical disabilities. The committee acknowledged that your program responds to a great need in community and aligns strongly to the City’s social development priorities.”
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Thank You
Thank you, Fidelity Investments, for supporting the work of Astonished through a generous donation to support our overall programs.
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Thank You
Thank you to our volunteers. You helped to make this semester fly.
Volunteers: Sophia Sanchez & Vanna Hung
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University of Regina
3737 Wascana Parkway
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Regina, SK | S4S 0A2 CA |
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