Easter Seals P.E.I. 2026 Ambassador brings message to Holland College Human Services students
Easter Seals School Tour Campaign set to begin in April, stretches over a six-days
Rowan MacDonald’s motto is simple.
“There is ability in every disability. We are no less. We are unstoppable.”
Rowan, 16, was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after he was born. He was recently selected as the 2026 Easter Seals P.E.I. Ambassador.
Easter Seals P.E.I. helps enhance the quality of life for Islanders with disabilities by providing financial support to programs and services that enable and promote inclusion.
On March 10, Rowan spoke to the students in Holland College’s Human Services program. Accompanying him were his father, Christopher MacDonald, and his stepmother, Shannon Taylor.
Rowan is in Grade 10 at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown. MacDonald explained that his son has been placed in some of the regular-level classes, allowing him to make friends with a variety of different students.
“It’s sometimes difficult for us when we go grocery shopping. (Rowan) sometimes knows more people in the store than we do,” he said.
During his presentation, Rowan recalled some of his favourite memories, including playing sledge hockey and getting to visit Halifax.
Another memory included one with Taylor, where she “drove her car fast” when Rowan was in the passenger seat.
“We were going over hills,” Taylor added with a laugh.
Taylor came into Rowan’s life when he was just seven years old. She said when Rowan was younger, verbal communication was a struggle for him.
Having a stepchild with Down syndrome has taught Taylor patience.
“Rowan and I clicked right away. He’s my go-to person for Broadway (musicals) and things like that,” she said.
The 2026 Easter Seals School Tour will begin in April.
The tour is a 45-year tradition that will see Rowan visit students in every school in P.E.I.’s Public Schools Branch and the French Language School Board within six days, to raise money for the P.E.I. branch of Easter Seals.
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