True Reflections Supporters
True Reflections receives active support from performers and public figures who have platforms and messages similar to our own.
Think Outside the Box - Shelby Allard
Shelby Allard is a public figure from LaSalle, Ontario.
My name is Shelby Allard and I recently graduated from Brock University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation.
I volunteer within the community to help in any way that I can. Being a part of a community is important to me because it provides connectivity, friendship, and a sense of place. I want every person to find that one way or another.
I am a part of the LGBTQ community and actively provide my support by posting videos on YouTube in hopes that they will reach anyone that is wondering about their sexuality or maybe is looking to connect to someone who is similar.
I post videos about myself, or about accepting yourself for who you are and not what others want you to be. My videos aim to show that no matter what you do, it is your life and you can what you want with it. They are to show my daily life, so you can see that I am no different than anyone else.
True Reflections supports every individual person no matter where they come from or who they are. By supporting them, a larger message is being broadcast and showing that you are not alone; that there are always people willing to open their arms to you. I support them because they support me and every person in the LGBTQ community and more!
Check out Think outside the Box on YouTube to see more from Shelby.
Bekah Miles
Bekah Miles is a 20-year-old active supporter from Oregon.
I am a college student majoring in psychology and minoring in women's studies. I have always wanted to go into psychology because I feel as if my calling is to help people, and now I can! And am!
People keep reaching out, saying they're inspired to tell their stories.
They feel peace knowing that they are not the only ones who feel this way.
If we don't talk about mental health, it's going to continue to be looked down upon like we're a disgrace. And it needs to stop.
With my newly developed fame, I'm beginning to join with some smaller groups and be an advocate for their pages as well, like True Reflections.
I'm sharing more articles and saying more about why it's important to talk about it.
Save African Child Uganda
Geri Sutts is a public figure from Windsor, Ontario.
I am a retired teacher. Volunteered working with children in Honduras and Guatemala 5 times from 2005 - 2010 and once in Uganda 2008. With a leap of faith, I returned in 2010 to Uganda to meet up with the young Ugandan, Ivan, to see what I could do to help the poor, vulnerable children in his remote village (by myself). We had nothing. No school, no water, no food no medical help. SACU(Save African Child Uganda) was born September 2010. Through perseverance Save African Child Uganda has grown. Children receive love, food, education and medical. We have our own 3 acres of land on which we have a shelter, 24 goats, 12 cows, banana plantation, one classroom with 3 more to go, bore hole, fruit trees, sweet potatoes, pit latrine and electricity poles!! Constantly fundraising and trying to be creative.
I think my sign would say PASSIONATE. I am passionate about caring for my 100 children with SACU. It's a full time job which is my passion (non paying of course lol). I would like to find others who would be committed and passionate to the cause.
I know a few young people who could benefit from True Reflections by accepting themselves and what makes them different. Sometimes that's a hard thing for a person to recognize. I know I am different from all my friends and family. I have big ideas, I have faith in people but am so often disappointed.
So many have said how much they want to help out with this and that but do not follow through. I am committed and find it difficult that those who said they were committed really don't know what having a commitment really means (oops that's negative).
True Reflections is excited to move forward with SACU as a partner and duel supporter.
Mackenzie Caradonna
Mackenzie Caradonna is a singer based out of Amherstburg, Ontario - her main message in her music is exactly what True Reflections is based off of - it's okay to be different.
All about Me
My name is Mackenzie Caradonna and I was born with Cerebral Palsy. Throughout my life I’ve had to do things differently but I’ve always done them, even if it took me twice the time and the effort. From the age of four to eight I was in and out of the hospital because of low blood sugar and the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. They only know that I have a rare metabolic disorder. Those times were very hard for me and my family, but now at the age of 15 I know that every needle that went into my veins and every burst of pain made me stronger! My story is not a sad one. What you read just now, is what made me the person I AM today. One of my favourite quotes really sums it all up “Everybody wants happiness, nobody wants pain, but can’t have a rainbow without a little rain” ~ unknown
My Family
My parents are Laurie and Jason. They are the people who encourage me to be myself and inspired me to want to change the lives of others. As for my brother Lucas well, we don’t exactly get along because I’m the older one and he’ll find any way to get on my nerves but at the end of the day we know we love each other. Then there’s Rocky our black yorkie poo puppy! He is a very fun loving, energetic and happy puppy! We all love him to pieces and wouldn’t change a thing, so that is the Caradonna crew!
My Dream
On a happier note, sometime after I had gotten better, at the age of 10, I asked my parents if I could have a singing teacher because I LOVED TO SING but I wanted to learn how to sing properly. So my parents went searching and found a woman named Kerri and that’s when my dreams started to slowly, but surely come true! In all the years I have been with my singing teacher Kerri, she has taught me so much and brought me so far. Kerri helped me write my first original song called “Different” about me and my life. The song has a very powerful message about being different; that you don’t have to fit in, you just have to love who are and follow your dreams! Recently my teach Kerri and I made my first Youtube video, I chose to do a cover of Skinny Love by: Birdy. There is much more to my dream and journey of singing but so much is still unwritten.
True Reflections
True Reflections has a great message about expressing who you are and that being different is not only ok its awesome! True Reflections asked me to pick a word that describes me and just thinking about myself what I’ve been through and how far I’ve come, I think of the word DETERMINED! Being determined is one of the best things you can be because you never stop believing and you keep trying until you reach your goals!
You can listen to some of Mackenzie's work here.
Devil In Faust
True Reflections is taking off from Southern Ontario - and other parts of Canada and is making a debut in England!
The Devil In Faust is an up-coming, Alternative Rock / Metal band from the West Midlands, UK. Formed in late 2014, consisting of childhood friends Alistair Pritchard, Ben Perret & Ben Codd. After returning to their hometowns from other commitments they felt the time was right to form a band that once existed.
The Devil in Faust has shown interest in True Reflections and wants to sponsor our message for mental health awareness and Self Acceptance by helping us spread throughout the UK.
The band has recently released their single "Dark Places", a song depicting the problems people may face while trying to find their place in society - and the toll it can take on relationships.
They will also be releasing a new sound in light of Self awareness and acceptance.
The band had this to say about joining the initiative,
“True Reflections represents those who feel lost to the world and have convinced themselves that they do not belong anywhere. It takes courage to admit you are different.
We have all known someone who feels lost in society. Being different doesn’t make a person contagious or a monster. The true monsters are those who choose to shut these people out and have made the decision to live in a false world with false people around them." – The Devil In Faust
You can check out more about The Devil in Faust here.