Madeleine WATTS '20
Athlete and Disability Advocate
Madeleine WATTS ’20 is a dedicated advocate for disability rights and sport. Currently studying at Dalhousie University in social anthropology and disability studies, Maddie balances her school work with her active volunteerism. She has served as National Ambassador for the Arthritis Society of Canada since 2021, and as the face of the organization, helped raise more than $2 million for arthritis. Maddie was featured in the New York Times as a "Global Hero” for her advocacy and commitment to disability and sport in 2023, and she has appeared in both local and national news across Canada, including the Globe and Mail, CBC, Toronto Star, The Social, Talk Television, eTalk Toronto and CTV, sharing her story and advancing inclusion in sport. Diagnosed with severe facet joint degenerative syndrome at age 17, Maddie finished high school at BSS despite missing more than 90 days in her Grade 12 year due to hospitalization, severe pain and mobility challenges.
A lifelong skier, in 2021 Maddie received the devastating news that she would no longer be able to continue her alpine skiing or instructing. On January 1, 2022, Maddie gathered her courage and took a sit-skiing class at her home hill in Whistler, BC.
A lifelong skier, in 2021 Maddie received the devastating news that she would no longer be able to continue her alpine skiing or instructing. On January 1, 2022, Maddie gathered her courage and took a sit-skiing class at her home hill in Whistler, BC.
Within days of first trying para-alpine skiing, she was invited to meet the coaches for the national team, to attend the Canadian Adaptive Skiing elite training program, and given the opportunity to train with Canadian Paralympians. In 2022, Maddie achieved both her Level 1 and Level 2 Adaptive Skiing Coaching Certificate and is continuing to achieve new certifications.
Her adaptive skiing brought her to the attention of the Arthritis Society of Canada and an active role as an advocate. A regular keynote speaker, Maddie has spoken to thousands of people coast to coast to raise awareness and funding for arthritis programs. Raising awareness for people with episodic disabilities can be hard, particularly when she is not using her wheelchair, walker or canes, and she speaks openly about the challenges of disability categorization, visibility and equity. She is also a champion of Camp Join Together at Brigadoon, which offers specialized summer camps for kids with diseases and life-limiting conditions, allowing campers to just “be kids” with others who understand their conditions.
A proud graduate of BSS, Maddie is committed to advancing equity, inclusion and accessible sport for all ages and abilities.
Her adaptive skiing brought her to the attention of the Arthritis Society of Canada and an active role as an advocate. A regular keynote speaker, Maddie has spoken to thousands of people coast to coast to raise awareness and funding for arthritis programs. Raising awareness for people with episodic disabilities can be hard, particularly when she is not using her wheelchair, walker or canes, and she speaks openly about the challenges of disability categorization, visibility and equity. She is also a champion of Camp Join Together at Brigadoon, which offers specialized summer camps for kids with diseases and life-limiting conditions, allowing campers to just “be kids” with others who understand their conditions.
A proud graduate of BSS, Maddie is committed to advancing equity, inclusion and accessible sport for all ages and abilities.
