Desire to overcome obstacles inspired passion for helping others
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/03/2024 (625 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Manitoba legislature will be illuminated in teal on Wednesday, thanks to Amanda Sobey.
The special lighting recognizes World Lymphedema Day, an annual event that raises awareness about lymphatic diseases. Sobey, president of the Lymphedema Association of Manitoba, bought the light herself.
The 42-year-old West St. Paul resident started volunteering with the association in 2021.
“I enjoy using my passion to make an impact in the community for the overall good,” she says.
An estimated 37,500 Manitobans live with lymphedema, a chronic swelling that happens when lymph — the colourless watery fluid that carries nutrients and proteins to the body’s cells and tissues — can’t flow normally and builds up in the soft tissues of a limb.
Symptoms include swelling in an arm or leg, feeling of fullness, puffiness or heaviness in the affected limb, an aching or burning feeling in the limb, and trouble moving a joint in the arm or leg.
Sobey has lived with the condition in her right leg for more than 20 years.
She was a competitive skater with an active lifestyle when she noticed an itchy and prominent mosquito bite on her right leg in 2001. She didn’t think much of it. A few days later, she suffered a traumatic physical assault.
As Sobey was recovering, her right foot started to swell abnormally. Doctors diagnosed her with lymphedema.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Manitoba Artistic Swimming needs volunteers for the Canada Artistic Swimming national qualifiers. Roles include hospitality, admissions/welcome, pool deck, drivers and canteen. Be poolside as Canada’s top artistic swimmers compete, including the national team as it prepares for the 2024 Olympics. Email Michelle at competitions@manitobaartisticswimming.ca by Friday.
MS Canada needs committee members for the 2024 MS Bike to Gimli event on Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. Help the volunteer-led team plan a memorable event. The time commitment is flexible, with monthly virtual meetings. Email karyn.heidrick@mscanada.ca by March 30.
St. Boniface Hospital needs compassionate Healing Hearts volunteers with personal experience in cardiac surgery to share their journeys with patients. Volunteers, by providing reassurance and emphasizing positive outcomes, have the opportunity to create a significant impact on people who need support. A range of shifts is offered to accommodate availability. Email sbghvolunteer@sbgh.mb.ca by April 30.
The Henteleff Park Foundation needs new board members to help fulfill its mission of providing stewardship through advocacy, education and maintaining plants and wildlife. If you enjoy the south St. Vital park and want to help preserve it, you can help guide Henteleff’s future. Email john.borody@henteleffpark.org by May 15.
The Resource Centre for Manitobans who are Deaf-Blind needs a volunteer minute-taker. The role involves attending meetings (primarily on Zoom) and taking detailed notes to create accurate minutes. The ideal candidate has strong listening skills to capture important information, proficiency in typing, effective time-management abilities and familiarity with Zoom. The position has flexible time commitments and requires a criminal record check, with reimbursement for associated costs. Email denise.gallant@rcmdb.net, apply online at rcmdb.org or call 204-284-6062 by Sept. 13.
Equal Housing Initiative needs volunteers to help with a nutrition program for the residents of the McLaren Hotel. As part of the initiative’s larger effort to transform the hotel into a supportive housing facility, it is seeking volunteers who are available Thursdays to help with food preparation, packaging and distribution, as well as pickups from designated locations. Confidentiality, data recording and COVID-19 vaccination are required. A food handler’s certificate is desired but not mandatory. Email apaquin@equalhousinginitiative.com by March 20.
Basketball Manitoba and the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association need dedicated volunteers to coach. The role involves guiding players during practices and games, supported by the area convenor. Experience in basketball or other sports is beneficial, with coaching education provided. Must be 18 or older. The opportunity offers leadership skills, public speaking practice and teaching experience. There are weekend games and practices on weeknights. Volunteers must undergo criminal record and child abuse registry checks, with the costs covered. Email info@wmba.ca, go online to wmba.ca or call 204-925-5774 by April 1.
CancerCare Manitoba needs volunteers to join a team working to improve cancer care for all Manitobans. Volunteer opportunities include positions such as refreshment servers and CCMB ambassadors. Volunteers help support those affected by cancer, gain valuable experience in a health-care setting, use their skills to help others and meet new people. Go to http://wfp.to/jd1 for more information. Email ccmbvolservices@cancercare.mb.ca or call 204-787-2121 to apply by May 31.
Misericordia Place needs volunteers to help escort and support residents wishing to attend mass. (Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) Orientation and guidance will be provided. Duo teams are welcome. Call 204-788-8134 with any questions. Email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca or go to misericordia.mb.ca to apply.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Sobey was told there is no cure, and that she would need manual lymphatic drainage once a week for the rest of her life and would require medical-grade compression garments.
The diagnosis dealt a blow to Sobey’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, and she turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
“The words ‘no cure’ are gut-wrenching, because it makes you feel hopeless, devastated and lost,” Sobey says.
Sobey reached a turning point one day when she decided that her condition could be her downfall, or it could be the motivation to change her life and make a difference in the lives of others.
She began using exercise and nutrition to manage her condition. Eventually, she competed in — and won — a bodybuilding competition.
Today, she is a personal trainer, nutritionist and lymphedema coach.
She’s also tireless in her role with the Lymphedema Association of Manitoba, which was founded in 2011. As president, Sobey oversees and facilitates the non-profit’s daily operations.
Along with her fellow directors, Sobey works to create awareness and improve access to quality lymphedema information, resources and services across the province.
In addition to the legislative building, a few other monuments will be lit up in teal on Wednesday: the Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge, the Winnipeg sign at The Forks and the Selkirk water tower.
Sobey wants people to know that it’s possible to live a healthy life with lymphedema, and hopes people will educate themselves about the condition.
At the beginning of her journey with lymphedema, Sobey says she was making herself better because she was fighting for her life. Today, she fights for those who are where she used to be.
“Having the ability to educate about lymphedema or the opportunity to share my story is incredibly meaningful,” she says. “I am truly blessed.”
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@gmail.com
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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