General: 

  • Shortly after his 4th birthday, Robert was diagnosed with a brain tumor
  • Surgery for that tumour left Robert blind
  • Robert’s tumour had to be treated three times with chemotherapy
  • He was treated for a second tumour at the age of 14

 

Personal:

  • Robert was a competitive swimmer for 17 years.
  • He has won gold, silver and bronze medals in two Ontario Paralympic Winter Championships and three CanAm Games.
  • Robert downhill skies, water skies, rock climbs, tandem cycles and sails.
  • He has gone scuba diving, sky diving and learned to drive a race car.
  • He loves playing guitar and woodworking.

 

Awards:

  • Variety Village Athletic Club Wall of Fame (2017)
  • IPC/APC Flag Bearer at the Toronto 2015 Parapan Am Games (August 2015)
  • Recipient of a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (November 2012)
  • Inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame (November 2012)
  • Youth in Philanthropy Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals (November 2011)
  • King Clancy Award, Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (February 2008)
  • Spirit of Sport Award, ParaSport Ontario (February 2008)
  • Unsung Hero Award, City of Toronto, (December 2007)
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre, (July 2007)
  • The Rose Passafiume Memorial Award, Variety Village (2006-2007)
  • Agent of Change Award, TVO Kids Crawlspace (2003)
  • The Susan “Susie” Cohon Trophy, Variety Village (2002-2003)
  • Robert R. Hall Achievement Award, Variety Village (2001-2002)