An Ottawa-area teen with a rare genetic disorder lived out his dream of becoming a Walmart greeter Tuesday with the help of his local store.
Proudly wearing his own Walmart vest and name tag, 14-year-old Tait Gofton welcomed visitors to the Ottawa-area store, as his mother and support network cheered him on.
鈥淗e loves people. Loves, loves, loves people鈥攍oves meeting new people. I think he came into Walmart one day and thought it was just the best job anyone could ever have,鈥� Emma Gofton, Tait鈥檚 mother told CTV Ottawa.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really a dream come true for him. And at this point in time, these days are precious and we want to make every single one count.鈥�
Tait suffers from a genetic disorder so rare it doesn鈥檛 have a name. According to his mother, the degenerative neurological condition has robbed him of the ability to move, speak and eat. He now has difficulty breathing.
鈥淭he fact that he鈥檚 actually sitting up in a wheel chair and driving himself just shows you how much desire and motivation he has to be here today,鈥� said the teen鈥檚 mother.
Tait and his sister, who also suffers from a genetic disorder, are both under respite care at Ottawa鈥檚 Roger Neilson House. With the help of Walmart Canada, volunteers at the pediatric palliative care center organized the experience for Tait in an effort to help fulfil one of his dreams.
鈥淲e try to make sure that our kids live their best life. No matter how short their life is, we really want to make sure we enrich that life with whatever their dreams, wishes, and hopes are,鈥� said Megan Wright, executive director of Roger Neilson House.
The eight-bed care center, which is partnered with the Children鈥檚 Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), opened its doors in 2006. The facility is located on the grounds at CHEO and provides a home-like environment for patients and their families.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine going through this process without the amazing staff and volunteers that exist in that home. I really can鈥檛 put into words how much they mean to us,鈥� said Gofton.
