Hi Guys, It’s Alex! I wanted to share this interview that I did for CP Kids and Families in Calgary. They started a quarterly member spotlight series in their newsletter for which you can sign up here.
This series highlights the voices and experiences of those who make up the CP Kids and Families community. Through these stories, CP Kids & Families celebrate the unique journeys, passions, and connections that bring us together.
I was proud to be asked to kick off the very first spotlight! Here is what they wrote:
“Kicking off our very first spotlight, we’re proud to introduce Alex, a familiar face to many in our community. Supported by her adventurous and close-knit family, Alex has long been a source of inspiration through her positivity, determination, and creative spirit.
“I can do it!” — Alex lives by this phrase, meeting each challenge with courage and joy. Her life is one of movement, both literal and symbolic: a life shaped by family bonds, creativity, and the determination to turn limits into new beginnings. Whether side by side with her sisters or exploring new frontiers in mobility, Alex continues to remind us that strength is as much about spirit as it is about steps.
Now in her third year at Mount Royal University, Alex is studying Physical Literacy, a degree program that explores how people of all abilities can discover movement in ways that build confidence and joy. She’s also an ambassador for Trexo Robotics, a musician, and advocate — sharing her journey through public speaking, songwriting, and community involvement.
Let’s get to know Alex in her own words
Q: To start with a fun icebreaker — if you could only listen to one artist for the next year, who would it be?
Alex: Gwen Stefani! I first found out about her on The Voice and I think her music is really cool and just in general she is a cool person.
Q: What are the characteristics about her that stand out to you?
Alex: I love what she wears. She has an amazing fashion sense. I love all the sparkles she wears because I love sparklers too.
Q: If you could say one thing to her, what would it be?
Alex: I would tell her how her music is inspiring to people and how she is my favourite artist. I would tell her I write songs as well, and she inspired me to write my first song.
Q: For those meeting you for the first time, can you share a little about yourself and your family?
Alex: I have two sisters, I am a fraternal triplet. I have a very can-do attitude. I am never negative about things, like if there is something I want to do, I’m like we’re doing this. It’s happening. Let’s do it!
“I can do anything — I just do it in my own way.”
Q: What was it like growing up as a triplet?
Alex: Growing up as a triplet was fun because me and my sisters would always do everything together.
Q: How has your family shaped the path you’re on today?
Alex: I had a very positive upbringing, which shaped my outlook on life. I wasn’t separated or treated differently from my sisters. For example, when we wanted to do dance, I wasn’t put in a separate class until I was older. I joined the same one as them. And when they skied, I skied too, just in my own way. I was always included. My grandma is also one of my biggest inspirations. She’s such a strong, positive person, and I feed off her energy.
Q: You’re studying Physical Literacy at Mount Royal University. What drew you to that program?
Alex: It all started with my Trexo, the robotic walking device I use. Using it made my mind start making new connections and got me interested in how my muscles move and the positive impact movement can have. As part of a Trexo study, I was the first person in Alberta to bring one home. I walked 100,000 steps in six months, and I even wore out one machine because I used it so much! That’s what got me excited about physical education and physical literacy.
Q: Physical Literacy is about finding movement that works for you. What does that look like in your own life?
Alex: I love exploring different ways to move. Through my family and school, I’ve tried rock climbing, adapted sports like wheelchair basketball and sledge hockey — I’ve even tried skiing and water skiing. I love the feeling of going fast! My whole family is active; my dad’s an ice climber, so I guess that love of adventure runs in the family.
Q: You’ve had the chance to share some of those experiences with others. What has that been like?
Alex: Each year I’m invited to speak in my classes and demonstrate my Trexo, and I’m already booked again for this November. I’ve also had the chance to demonstrate my Trexo at conferences in Chicago and Toronto. I was able perform my song “I Wanted to Walk” in Toronto at the Trexo 100,000,000 Step Celebration that I was part of.
Q: Looking ahead, how would you like to carry what you’ve learned into the future?
Alex: I want to take what I’ve learned in school and use it to create workout programs set to music. I think moving to the beat makes exercise more fun and motivating.
Q: You recently shared your knowledge with seniors at Bow View Manor. Can you tell us about that experience?
Alex: I shared my story and talked about the importance of being physically active. Some of the seniors didn’t know what cerebral palsy was, a few thought it was a mental disability, not physical. I also made a workout video for them, and we did it together, which was a lot of fun.
Q: What did you take away from that experience?
Alex: I learned that a lot of seniors don’t really have workout programs they can follow. The video I made gave them something they could do that was also fun.
Q: With school, public speaking, music, and personal goals, how do you stay balanced?
Alex: My family is a big part of staying balanced, because they are so supportive, and I find that just doing the things I love, like walking in my Trexo, music, and spending time with my family, helps me stay balanced. I don’t know where I would be today without my family and my two sisters.
Q: Many people were touched by your song “I Wanted to Walk.” What inspired you to write it?
Alex: My Trexo first gave me the idea of showing people that I can do this, I can walk. Then I went to a Blake Shelton concert, and Gwen Stefani came out to sing a couple of songs, when I saw her I thought I want to do that.
Q: What is your process of writing a song?
Alex: I start by writing the lyrics and then I work with my music teacher and we collaborate to write the music together. My grandma taught piano lessons, and she taught me as well. Music is a way to express myself in a different way then just talking to people, I can tell people how I feel in a fun way.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see yourself blending your studies, advocacy, and creativity?
Alex: I want to keep using social media to inspire others — sharing new ideas of how to be physically active and create workout videos combined with music in fun ways. For example, creating a program for individuals that has them doing crunches to the beat of the music, which is motivating and also fun.
Q: Why is combining music and movement so important to you?
Alex: Combining music and movement is important to me because adapted dance was one of the most fun programs to do as a kid.
Q: You live by the motto “I can do it!” What does that mean to you?
Alex: It means “go for it”! The world is endless and I get my positive attitude from my supportive family. I can do anything, I just do it in my own way.
Q: Looking back, what is a moment from your time with CP Kids and Families that you will never forget?
Alex: I love the virtual programs and the holiday party that CP Kids and Families host. I also love the Adapted Bike Program. It is where I got my freedom to ride a bike, and there is no program like the Adapted Bike Program anywhere.
Q: If you could say one thing to the people who support CP Kids and Families, those who volunteer, donate, and advocate, such as yourself, what would you tell them?
Alex: I would tell them that CP Kids and Families is a great organization and it has given opportunities to kids and people with disabilities, and the volunteers are so great, and it opens doors and I was able to make friends, I met one of my best friends through CP Kids, and it is a great community, and I just want to say thank you, everybody.”