by Marco Pasqua
My name is Marco Giovanni Pasqua. I was born on July 4, 1985 at Vancouver's Grace Hospital. That date would eventually mean more to my family than ever expected as it was the beginning of my fight for a “normal” life. I only weighed 2 pounds 1 ounce when I was born and was 3 months premature. My parents would later find out that I was also born with Cerebral Palsy (Spastic Diplegia).
I crawled as a young child by lying on my stomach and using my arms to pull myself as I discovered that my legs did not work in the same way as others. Physiotherapy has been a major part of my life since I was 13 months old. It has allowed me to gain not only the physical but the mental strength I have today. Growing up, my parents raised me to believe that no goal was too out of reach and no challenge was too hard to conquer. Due to this great family support and my own personal determination, I have accomplished many of my goals up until this point and I continue to strive for more.
The introduction of sport in my life at an early age meant that I became involved in swimming as a baby and would go on to join a provincial swim club. I started horseback riding when I was 3 and a half years old at the Pacific Riding for the Disabled stables in Ft Langley and competed until I was 16. I even joined the Track and Field team and participated in wheelchair events - 50, 100, 200 Track plus Shot Put and Club Throw. I seemed to excel at sport quite quickly which allowed me the great opportunity to compete in the BC Games for Athletes with Disabilities for the first time in 1994. I won 22 Gold, 10 Silver and 2 Bronze Medals at this level. I joined the BC Wheelchair Basketball team and began working towards the goal of being on the Canadian National Basketball team. Unfortunately that dream took a back seat when I decided to pursue post secondary education. With the determination and positive attitude that I gained from leading an active lifestyle and being involved in team sport, I was led to the Art Institute of Vancouver to study for an associate’s degree in fine arts and game design. I am pleased to say that in March 2006, I graduated from this program on the “Dean’s List” with honors. I am now working at Electronic Arts in Burnaby as an Assistant Test Coordinator, leading a team of Quality Assurance testers.
I personally believe that because of going through these experiences in my life, it has helped me better understand others who are going through their own personal challenges. I hope that if they were to hear my story it might help them strive to be the best they can be, and never seize in believing in their dreams.
