No limits for Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal recipient Bradley Heaven
Bradley Heaven (Social Science, Class of 2020) is again showing the world that there are no limits and that you can do whatever you want.
The new graduate of Dawson College and entrepreneur has won the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal, awarded by Quebec’s Lieutenant Governor to students who “demonstrate a sustained voluntary action at the community and social levels.”
You can reach for any goal
“I believe this shows other people with disabilities that we can reach for any goal,” said Brad. “As long as you keep working towards your goals and never give up, you can achieve anything you want.”
“This is a very humbling experience for me,” he continued. “I have been extremely lucky in the fact that I have had lots of love, help and support throughout my life. The message that I would like to share is to never give up and never be afraid to ask for help.”
All Access Life
Brad, who is 23, was born with non-verbal spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Brad, along with his assistant, friend and business partner, Danny O’Connor, founded All Access Life, a unique not-for-profit organization dedicated to connecting people with a variety of special needs to life-changing technological products, cleverly tested and reviewed.
All Access Life is also an online community that connects people through multiple platforms, most notably through their All Access Life website and All Access Life YouTube channel.
Dawson’s Den competition
This project began when Brad entered his not-for-profit website idea in the Dawson’s Den competition during Entrepreneurship Week in 2017. Brad won first prize at the pitch competition and Dawson’s Sustainability Prize.
“The experiences that I got to take part in, for example, Dawson’s Den, was what made my time here at Dawson so special,” said Brad. “What I like best about Dawson is the diversity of students, coming from all backgrounds. The amazing teachers that I have had, and the staff at the AccessAbility Centre really helped me achieve my success.”
Undaunted!
In the official nomination for the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal, Brad’s determination was noted: “He communicates by using his head, eye movements and computers. The amount of work he puts in to getting his not-for-profit off the ground as well as towards completing his college program is commendable. Starting a new venture is risky and no easy task. To do this while studying is even more of a challenge. Brad and his partner Danny are undaunted! … Brad has demonstrated perseverance, initiative, creativity, great communication and a positive attitude towards both his studies and this wonderful venture.”
Microsoft, March of Dimes, Las Vegas!
All Access Life’s YouTube channel now has almost 16,000 subscribers. Microsoft incorporated parts of one of their videos for a marketing piece. Shortly after, Brad was asked to speak at a March of Dimes conference, where he was awarded $5,000. He was able to purchase a life-changing piece of technology that allows him to type at a computer using only eye movements.
Earlier this year, Brad and Danny were invited to the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Being the entrepreneurs that they are, they raised $5,000 to pay for special needs transport in Las Vegas. They were not going to let his disability prevent him from taking a plane and grabbing this opportunity of a lifetime.
The next chapter
Brad had this to say about the next chapter in his life: “I would like to continue my education by possibly going to university. I would also like to take our website allaccesslife.org to great heights. It is extremely important that accessibility is brought to the attention of everyone.”
Brad is really honoured to be selected to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal because of his hard work and determination. In conclusion, Brad said: “I just want to help to make the community better.”
Connect to Brad and Danny’s All Access Life online:
