EKO Scholar Thalia Avgousti

“Don’t let your disability limit you and you will do amazing things in life.” Thalia

Accomplished athlete, motivational speaker and natural leader, Thalia Avgousti is all about inspiring young people with disabilities to believe in themselves to reach their full potential.

Thalia says being raised with a foundation of courage and self-acceptance helped her get out of her comfort zone, accept failure, grow, and reach her full potential. From age three, she competed in individual and team sports, swimming competitively at the Provincial level at OFSSAA, playing basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, and participating in cross-country and track events. A skillful skier and snowboarder, she was selected for the leadership team of the Track 3 ski program to teach incoming participants, and also found time for horseback riding, children’s theatre, gymnastics and ballet. Ever-focused on her goals, she will be pursuing her fitness designation.

Thalia’s long list of achievements and awards stretches back to early elementary school, ranging from academics to athletics to character awards to community leadership. Of special note, she won a “Yes I Can Award” which recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional students for making a lasting impact on their school communities. A devoted volunteer in her school, extra-curricular activities and beyond, she was a highly regarded Best Buddy Ambassador and graduated to a Best Buddy Leader. She also completed the Peer Mentor Group Training at Holland Bloorview and looks forward to working with kids with disabilities and serving as a role model.

Thalia volunteers her time as a motivational speaker by sharing her personal story and journey to elementary and high schools, colleges, workplaces and professionals. Through her presentation My Ability is Stronger than my Disability, she shares her experiences living with a disability.

For the students that have disabilities, she hopes to inspire them to believe in themselves, work hard to meet their full potential and never give up. For others, she wants to bring awareness and compassion about persons with disabilities to make our early childcare centres, schools, workplaces, college campuses and communities more inclusive. Thalia wants to teach people that we all have goals to achieve and contributions to make in our communities.

Read about EKO Scholar Evan McDonald