Staceyan Sterling: A Beacon of Hope and Kindness

A Childhood of Contrasts

Staceyan Sterling’s life began in Jamaica, surrounded by a large family. Yet, she felt the absence of her mother, who passed away far too soon. Her childhood memories are woven with both laughter and tears — a life filled with love and loss. Amid all that, one constant remains: her mother’s voice within her.

“Always be kind to people, Staceyan, no matter what. You never know who may need your kindness.” “She was and will always be my guiding star,” Staceyan says.

No Space for Her

Growing up as one of many siblings in a financially struggling household, life was hard. Her father, the sole breadwinner, had little time and too many responsibilities. Staceyan hoped to find maternal warmth in her stepmother — but that, too, faded.

“To her, the family was him, her, and her own children.” She felt emotionally adrift and longed for support. She dreamed of becoming a nurse after finishing high school and turned to her father for help. “No,” was his only answer, influenced by her stepmother’s perspective. “I will never really know why my father didn’t help out.”

The Dream That Faded

“As a young girl, straight out of school, everything in life can be confusing. I badly needed that love, support, and guidance. I felt lost without my mother at every step.” But time taught her a difficult truth: “My regret today is not so much that my father did not help me out. My regret today is that I gave up too easily.”

Through years of reflection, hurt gave way to understanding.

“I know that at the time and under the circumstances, my father did what he thought was the right thing to do, and he did the best he could.”

Turning Pain into Purpose

A New Mission

Staceyan didn’t let her circumstances define her future.

“Everyone needs someone at some point in their lives. That is what I have learnt.”

She may not have become a nurse — but she became something just as powerful. Today, in Mississauga, she serves as a program coordinator for youth with physical and mental disabilities.

Guiding the Most Vulnerable

Working with the L.I.F.E. Program under March of Dimes Canada, Staceyan teaches life skills to young people who, like she once did, struggle to find their identity after high school.

“I want to be the mother and the guide for these young individuals. I know how it feels not to have support at such a crucial age.”

Through vocational training, first aid classes, and indoor/outdoor activities, she instills more than just skills — she instills belief.

“If There Is a Hero Among Us, It’s Staceyan.”

Building Independence

Jamie Hutchins, a fellow volunteer, captures Staceyan’s magic:

“Most people tend to spoon-feed the handicapped… They need to be told they can do everything and then taught how to do it. That is the biggest difference Staceyan brings.”

Brian, one of her students, echoes the sentiment:

“If there is a hero amongst us, then it is Staceyan.”

Her strength doesn’t come from grand gestures — it’s in the small, daily encouragements she offers.

“These are my children and there’s no way I will ever stop supporting them. All it takes is a little push.”

The Message She Carries Forward

Empowerment Through Encouragement

One student, wheelchair-bound and once unsure about his future, now attends college because of her.

Staceyan handled the forms, spoke to admissions, and paved the way. But it’s not just logistics she provides.

She gives them self-confidence. She gives them belief. She gives them purpose.

“I realize now, my dad saying no shouldn’t have stopped me. I should have found another way. There is always a way. I want my kids to know that.”

She reminds her students every day:

“You are here for a reason. There isn’t and there will never be anyone else like you.”

Kindness, Carried Forward

“I know I can’t change the world on my own. But at least I know I’m doing my bit. We must always be there, with a kind word for all, for you never know who might need that act of kindness and support.”

Her mother’s voice continues to guide her — now echoed in the voices of the youth she uplifts.

“You can do it, you know you can!”

A Life of Impact

Staceyan, you are the Hope Amidst Losses Directing Alternate Roads — an HPR HERO in every sense. From your own heartbreak, you’ve built a sanctuary of hope for others.

We salute you.

The Importance of Community Support

In a world that often feels disconnected, the role of community support cannot be overstated. We all crave connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging. Staceyan embodies this spirit. She shows us that even in our darkest moments, we can find purpose and light through helping others.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

When we extend kindness, we create a ripple effect. One act of kindness can inspire another. It can change lives. Staceyan’s journey reminds us that we all have the power to uplift those around us.

Finding Your Voice

Staceyan’s story is a call to action for each of us. It encourages us to find our voice and use it to support others. Whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply being there for someone in need, we can all make a difference.

The Journey Continues

As we reflect on Staceyan’s life, let’s remember that our journeys are ongoing. Each step we take can lead us closer to our purpose. Let’s embrace the challenges, learn from them, and use our experiences to guide others.

In conclusion, let us carry forward the lessons learned from Staceyan’s life. Let’s be the guiding stars for those around us, offering kindness, support, and encouragement. Together, we can rebuild community connections and inspire positive change, creating a world where no one feels alone.

Wheelchair, Wings & Willpower: The Unstoppable Spirit of Hiyam Baker

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

When Worries Are Luxuries

Walking briskly to work, I found myself fretting about whether my silk blue blouse matched my navy skirt. The heels? Too high. My feet would be throbbing by the day’s end. “Flats tomorrow,” I promised myself, mentally noting to swing by Nine West after work and grab those gorgeous sandals I saw last week.

Thousands of miles away, in another corner of the world, a man in his 40s also rushed to work—not for style or comfort, but for survival. As the sole breadwinner for a family of seven, every hour of his day was a fight to make ends meet. But minutes later, that fight was cut short.

An Israeli soldier took his life—no warning, no reason, just because he was a Lebanese civilian under occupation. Beirut. 1982. Israeli War.

Childhood Ripped Apart by War

That man’s five children—some still in elementary school—were forced to drop out and pick up odd jobs to survive. Years passed, but the trauma of their father's violent death lingered. Then war struck again—this time between Palestine and Lebanon—reopening wounds that had barely begun to heal.

Among those five children were Hiyam Baker and her little sister Wafa, only nine years old at the time. On a rare peaceful day, the two sat chatting on their balcony, clinging to laughter like lifelines.

But in war, even moments of joy are dangerous. A bomb exploded nearby. Wafa lost her leg. Hiyam’s leg was permanently damaged. The hospital became their home for the next year and a half.

The Gratitude of Survival

Despite their injuries, they felt grateful. They had survived. In a war-torn nation, being alive was enough to celebrate. Concerns about wardrobe choices or sore feet? They became laughable.

Rising from the Rubble

Fast-forward to March 2007. Hiyam Baker, now 47, bears the scars of war both visible and unseen. Confined to a wheelchair and in constant pain, she refuses to let her condition define her. HPR proudly honors her as Hero of the Month, not for surviving—but for turning her suffering into a sanctuary for others.

A Lioness of Lebanon

In a society where disability often leads to rejection—where securing employment, independence, or even love is made painfully difficult—Hiyam forged her own path.

She witnessed her sister Wafa face deep humiliation for being a woman with a missing leg. But instead of retreating, Hiyam stepped forward. She gave up her own dreams of marriage to dedicate her life to advocating for people with disabilities.

Her mission?

• To restore dignity

• To promote independence

• To fight stigma with purpose

Tired of profit-driven charities exploiting the helpless, she asked a critical question:"What about those who need help but can’t afford it?"

Creating a Haven: Darb Al Wafaa

Determined to fill that gap, Hiyam launched her own nonprofit organization, Darb Al Wafaa. For the past four years, she has welcomed individuals with disabilities—especially those with no education or resources—and trained them in crafts and art forms that help them earn a living.

Her center charges nothing.Her goal is everything: empowerment. With every skill taught, Hiyam offers something even more valuable—self-belief. She reminds them daily that dignity isn't something society hands out; it's something you fight for and claim.

Mother to a Movement

To the people she trains, Hiyam is more than a teacher. She is a second mother. Her guidance, her presence, her love—these things breathe new life into broken spirits. Her efforts are working. Graduates of her center are now finding jobs, earning incomes, and living independently for the first time.

She even organizes picnics with both disabled and able-bodied people, creating spaces where joy and equality coexist.

Still Living in the Shadow of War

Her sister Wafa went on to complete her education and work, but eventually stepped back to raise two beautiful children.

Today, as violence again threatens northern Lebanon, Wafa lives in constant fear. With frequent car bombings and rumors of war, she clings tightly to her children—determined to shield them from a reality too heavy for young hearts.

Hope on Wheels

As for Hiyam, her mission is far from over. She knows she can’t stop wars, but she can keep showing up. With every painting she teaches, every picnic she hosts, every disabled person she lifts up—she declares that life is still worth living, even in uncertainty.

Her only “burden” these days?The love of her people.

"If Hiyam doesn’t come to the picnic, we cancel it," her community insists."There is no celebration without her. She is our family."

A Nation’s Guiding Light

Now, Hiyam also teaches painting to young children—a simple act of color in a country cloaked in gray. She may not be able to control the future of Lebanon, but she's coloring it with hope.

From the rubble of war to the heart of her community, Hiyam Baker continues to be a lighthouse for the lost, a mother for the abandoned, and a warrior for the unseen.

May the world see you now—because Lebanon already does.

Would I Ever Be That Brave?

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

I wonder if I could just go and sell my condo tomorrow. Or my dream house that I just bought. My cars and my king-sized bed? I wonder how much courage it would take for me to empty out my entire house of everything, barring three sets of clean clothes, a pair of shoes, my toothbrush, and a soap.

But what is this absolute sense of fear that overcomes me at the very thought of letting go? When did these possessions stop being mere commodities and start to identify my entire existence? An existence for which I will be spending the next 30 years of my life in debt.

My work begins at 7 am every day, and I put in extra hours in the hope of bringing my house mortgage down from 25 years to 20. I’m hoping to retire five years sooner than I have to, so maybe in my old age, I can actually live in the house I am working so hard for today. Sure, my children would have grown, the elders in my family would have passed on. But the bills are going nowhere, so I better forget all else and work. 

Meet Kirk and Yvette Slack

“We lived just like everyone else, almost all of our lives. We worked continuously to be able to pay our bills continuously. We used to own and operate two hotels in Montana. I also ran a painting business with several employees.” 

Kirk and Yvette Slack were your typical middle-class North American couple — molded by societal norms to hustle, spend, and keep chasing “success.” Their lives mirrored everything we are told to aspire to: the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect car. And they achieved it — running multiple hotels and businesses. On the outside, they had it all.

But something changed.

Redefining “Perfect”

The Slacks still live in a perfect house. Only now, the definition of “perfect” has changed.

“We have become a spoiled, stressed-out civilisation that knows all too well how to consume. But one thing I have learned for sure is that it does not take a big fancy house and a new car to make you happy.”

In May 2005, the Slacks sold their hotels and everything they owned. They bought a small piece of land and started building their new life — from scratch.

“I was forty-three years old and for the first time in my life, we were totally debt free. Not that we had a lot of money, but we had learned to live within our means. Life became a lot easier now: no rent, no car payments, no credit card bills. We were finally free.”

A Different Kind of Wealth

Step out the front door of the cabin Kirk and Yvette built, and you enter untouched wilderness.

“I head out every morning with a cup of coffee and my dog Missy to walk amongst the trees. You find an occasional arrowhead where the Native Americans walked a world before, and somehow you can’t help but feel like you are on the right trail.”

To many, their choice may seem extreme. But is it really?

The Price of Modern Living

Why is a lifetime of debt so normal? Why are our governments and banks not encouraging us to live within our means? According to The Canadian Payroll Association, half of Canadians live paycheck to paycheck, and a quarter of them can’t come up with even a month of emergency funds.

Among North American students, graduation often means stepping into $75,000–$100,000 of debt. Rising tuition and housing costs add pressure, delaying home ownership and saving goals. And yet, all of this — the burnout, the debt, the pressure — is considered normal.

Breaking the Chains

The Slacks made a radical choice: to live life on their own terms.

“It was hard work living off-grid. We were like homesteaders. Last year, for a while all we had was an outdoor shower and a generator for electricity. The days can be long in the mountains. The closest house is about a mile away and we are surrounded by woods. Not a sound, but the wind and the birds. I hooked up a television antenna and we get a couple of channels. It's kind of strange when you are out here in the nature. The world seems just fine until you turn on the news! This lifestyle of ours may not be for everyone, and some would laugh at such a life,” says Kirk.

“The hardest thing I guess is family and friends thinking that you might be a little strange because you don't agree with mainstream society. That is probably the toughest part about it.”

But despite all that, they stayed true to themselves.

The Simpler Path

“We have become a pretty soft society. I think it is good to rough it every now and then. Kind of brings you down to earth and puts things into perspective.”

There is hard work in both the lifestyles that the Slacks have led. But only one of them brought true satisfaction.

“We have never planned on being hermits and still do not consider ourselves to be. We have just learned how to lead a less complicated life. We try to live as simple of a life as possible. Take no more than you need, be considerate, and live an honest life. I know this may seem strange to some, but living within your means buys you freedom. It also lets you relax a little.”

Finding Purpose Beyond Possessions

Stepping away from the rat race gave Kirk space to reflect on his values — and act on them. After witnessing a case of a mother losing custody of her children due to testing positive for THC, and spending time interviewing hemp and marijuana activists, Kirk took another bold step.

He is now working on a documentary about hemp and medical marijuana, collecting stories and raising awareness.

“I just want everyone to know that you don't have to follow everyone else. That it is O.K. to do your own thing. You only live once and as long as you are not hurting anyone else you should live life the way you want to....”

A Quote That Says It All

“To be well adjusted to a sick society is not necessarily a sign of a healthy mind."

What If I Tried?

Would I ever be as courageous as the Slacks — to walk away from a dream that was never truly mine? Could I trade my stress, my belongings, and my social image for something simpler… and maybe, freer?

If only I could muster the courage to sell my condo. My dream house. My cars and my king-sized bed. And empty out my entire house, save for three sets of clean clothes, a pair of shoes, a toothbrush, and a soap. Oh — and my books.

The Real Courage

The Slacks did something quietly heroic. They chose to want less in a society that tells us to want more. That takes strength — far greater than most of us can imagine.

Inspired by their story? Share it, and maybe someone else will find the courage to ask the same question:

What if I could live… with less?