Scarborough teen earns MS honours
Claire Colella recognized by local organization
This year's receipient of the Scarborough MS Mother of the Year award just turned 13-years-old.
This year the Scarborough chapter put a twist on its annual award by presenting it to Claire Colella. She received the award May 4.
When the Grade 7 student found out she was getting the award, she was confused too.
"I'm just like, 'I'm not a mother'," she said of her reaction. "The lady called and told me why I was getting it."
She said, "I kinda work around the house like a mother and I help my mother."
Claire's mother Andr�©e Colella was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when the young girl was just two-years-old and so she's been doing what she can to pitch in around the house ever since.
Her mother taught her how to do the dishes before she started school.
"Ever since I was tall, basically," she said.
Her mom can't do a lot and her dad works, so Claire takes it upon herself to do what needs to be done.
"I'll clean the kitchen and make dinners," she said. "I personally don't like to see the house dirty."
Her favourite room to clean is her parents' because it's so big.
"It feels good when my parents come home and see what I've done," she said. "It makes them happy and that makes me happy."
The responsible teen was surprised to be recognized for what she does. A representative from the MS Society called her parents while she was at school and they told her the good news.
"I was pretty happy, but I thought it would be more suitable for my mom to get it because she's the best mom in the world," she said.
Her parents are very proud of her.
"I was so proud," said her mother. "I was very glad. She works so hard."
Colella said her daughter is a big help.
In addition to helping her mother, Claire and her fellow Grade 7 students at St. Brendan Catholic School raised $1,500 for the Scarborough MS Society by holding a hot chocolate and cookie sale for three days. The money raised went toward the family outings group of the MS Society of Canada's Scaborough Chapter.
When she's not cleaning or raising money, Claire likes to watch TV, go on the computer and ride her bike. She also enjoys science and social studies as school.
