Sudbury teen receives dream computer, thanks to the Sunshine Foundation
It was a magical moment for a special Sudbury teen on Saturday as his 'dream' came true.
Cohen Lawrence lives with severe hearing loss. The 14-year-old now has his own custom gaming computer thanks to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
Surprises do not get much bigger than this – when Cohen arrived at the Sudbury Best Buy on Marcus Drive he did not know how this day was going to turnout.
"It's been good - I thought we were just going out to lunch or whatever," said Cohen.
He has been ‘chomping at the bit’ to learn more about coding and custom computer building and both his parents and teachers have encouraged him to pursue his interest.
The day was made even more special because Cohen only celebrated his 14th birthday in the last week or so.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
"When you get to have the kid come in and present them with their dream and you're setting them up for their future and you know it's a positive day,” said Sarah Lashbrook with the Sunshine Foundation. “It's not about disability, it's not about injury, it's not about hospitals, it's just fun and future. It's a fantastic day when that happens."
Jessica Lawrence, Cohen’s mom, said computers are his thing.
“You would think he's born to do this so he ... he started building computers, not building computers but he got into computers really, really young,” said Jessica.
“He's been wanting to have a gaming computer now for the past five years."
This custom computer should also improve his gaming experience.
Cohen told CTV News that his favourite game is Minecraft.
Volunteers with the foundation said it is reactions like this that makes it all worthwhile.
"It's an amazing day, it's an amazing day when you get to deliver a dream – like who gets to deliver a dream? I do and I love that part about it," said Lashbrook.
For more information on the Sunshine Foundation and the work they do, visit their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. Sikh leader says RCMP warned him of threats to his life after Nijjar killing
A close associate of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he has also been warned that his life may be in danger.
In defiance of judge, Sask. premier to force school pronoun rules into law
In defiance of a King's Bench ruling, Saskatchewan's premier plans to force a controversial school pronoun policy into law.
Authorities dispatched to Britney Spears’ home over video showing singer dancing with knives
Officials were called to the southern California home of Britney Spears on Wednesday to conduct a wellness check after the singer posted a video on social media depicting her dancing with knives.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE 'A shock and an embarrassment': Canada's governor general on Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran
Canada's Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War was 'a shock and an embarrassment,' and she's considering personally reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane says she won't run for re-election in upcoming vote
The premier of the Northwest Territories has announced she won't be running for re-election in November.
Police search for answers after IED explosion in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Police in Barrie continue to canvas a west-end neighbourhood, searching for answers after a vehicle explosion at an Anne Street apartment complex Wednesday morning.
Class-action lawsuit seeks compensation for Canadian consumers who bought Cold-FX products
A Canadian class-action lawsuit alleges the effectiveness of Cold-FX products was falsely advertised, and seeks compensation for anyone who bought the products.
These are Canada's most popular baby names
Looking for baby name inspiration? A recent list of the top 20 baby names in 2022 may help with your search.
Blinken meets Indian foreign minister as row between India and Canada simmers
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Thursday with India's foreign minister amid a simmering row between New Delhi and Ottawa over allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of a Sikh activist in Canada.
Barrie
-
Police appeal for help finding 14-year-old girl missing nearly a month
Investigators are appealing to the public for help finding a 14-year-old girl from Georgina who hasn't been seen or heard from in nearly a month.
-
Barrie teen convicted of brutally murdering fellow teen deemed 'not ready to be safely released'
A Barrie teen convicted of murdering a 15-year-old boy in a foster home four years ago will remain in custody after a judge confirmed he wouldn't be released at a sentencing review hearing.
-
Orillia firefighters work together to avoid a stinky situation
Firefighters in the Sunshine City managed to avoid a stinky situation with some quick-thinking and solid teamwork.
Toronto
-
Dumpster fire erupts near Toronto waterfront restaurant
No injuries were reported after a fire raged from Toronto’s waterfront Thursday evening.
-
Boy rushed to hospital after being struck by vehicle in Toronto's east end
A young boy was crossing the road when he was struck by a vehicle in the city’s east end Thursday evening, according to his family.
-
Here's where the record-breaking Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball ticket was sold
The location where a historic lottery ticket was sold was revealed Thursday morning.
Ottawa
-
EXCLUSIVEEXCLUSIVE New walk-in clinic in Ottawa's south end charging membership fee
The South Keys Health Centre, located at Bank Street and Hunt Club Road, is set to open next week and clinic officials say thousands of potential members are already on the waiting list, ready to pay $400 per person a year for access.
-
Taxi customers paying new $5.56 pickup fee at Ottawa airport
Taxi passengers are now paying an extra $5.56 for pickup at the Ottawa International Airport, as taxi drivers pass on an airport-related fee to customers.
-
Drivers, active-users split on future of Queen Elizabeth Driveway, poll finds
Nanos Research says the online survey found 81 per cent of non-active users want Queen Elizabeth Driveway open for driving year-round, while 78 per cent of respondents identified as active-users want the QED closed to vehicles seven days a week year-round, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Kitchener
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Hamilton man wanted for murder of Kitchener 18-year-old
Waterloo regional police have named a suspect in the murder of 18-year-old Joshua Tarnue and arrested another person in connection to the shooting.
-
Kitchener cat rescue being displaced by high-rise development
The Kitchener Stray Cat Rescue is searching for a new home after finding out the building they are currently in is being turned into a high-rise apartment.
-
Crash involving LRT train and vehicle in Kitchener
Kitchener Fire and paramedics are on scene of a crash involving an LRT train and a car on King Street South.
London
-
'Very frustrated': Woman attacked at dog park by homeless person
Kristin Bailey says her neighbourhood dog park has become dangerous. While at a dog park in Woodstock, Ont. Monday, she said she was attacked by a man who lives in a nearby homeless encampment.
-
'We were disappointed to hear that': Downtown business leaders react to WSIB location announcement
The provincial government has confirmed the location for the WSIB's new headquarters in London will be in the former 3M building. There was a push to have the province bring those office jobs downtown.
-
Pickup truck purchased weeks before fatal attack on London Muslim family
The Windsor jury heard new details on Thursday about items seized from the apartment of accused, Nathaniel Veltman.
Windsor
-
'An exploitation of the housing crisis': Windsor councillor calls rental listing disturbing
As Windsor-Essex and cities across the country deal with an affordable housing crisis, one rental listing in Windsor is catching the eye and ire of one city councillor.
-
You could live at Willistead Manor
The City of Windsor is searching for a new live-in heritage custodian and maintenance attendant at Willistead Manor.
-
Pickup truck purchased weeks before fatal attack on London Muslim family
The Windsor jury heard new details on Thursday about items seized from the apartment of accused, Nathaniel Veltman.
Montreal
-
Northvolt to build $7B battery factory near Montreal, includes government money
Swedish manufacturer Northvolt says it will build a $7 billion gigafactory for electric vehicle batteries near Montreal that it claims will represent the largest private investment in Quebec's history.
-
Man, 30, charged in deaths of mother, grandmother in Longueuil
The man arrested in connection with the deaths of two women in Longueuil was charged with two counts of second-degree murder on Thursday.
-
Pedestrian hit by vehicle in Montreal’s east end left critically injured
A man in his 20s is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle in the Ville-Marie borough Thursday night, say Montreal police (SPVM).
Atlantic
-
N.S. opposition argues 222 government housing units insufficient for housing crisis in the province
Nova Scotia and the federal government's joint announcement to construct more than 220 public housing units on Wednesday is looked at as a step forward in the right direction, but critics say that number falls short of what's needed to address the housing crisis.
-
Nova Scotia to review freedom of information legislation after years of criticism
Nova Scotia's government is launching a review of its freedom of information legislation after years of criticism that the current system results in blacked-out government documents and a toothless review process.
-
Canada’s population jumps with immigrants lifting the numbers
Canada has seen exponential growth across the country over the last year according to new data released by Statistics Canada and the three Maritime Provinces are at the top of the chart.
Winnipeg
-
Woman found dead in Winnipeg; homicide unit investigating
The Winnipeg Police Service’s homicide unit is investigating after a woman was found dead in the Daniel McIntyre neighbourhood Thursday morning.
-
1 in 3 Manitobans not voting for PCs due to pandemic response: poll
One-third of Manitobans say the provincial government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has made them not want to vote for the Progressive Conservatives come election day, according to new polling.
-
'We’re going to be here': Landfill blockade removed, but protesters will still make their voices heard
A blockade set up Wednesday evening leading to the Brady Landfill came down on Thursday, but the protesters who put it up say they will be back if they need to be.
Calgary
-
Charges of attempted murder, more laid in shooting outside YYC
Police have charged a man with attempted murder and more following a shooting outside Calgary International Airport on Wednesday.
-
How to best experience Alberta's larch march - before it's over
It only comes around once a year and it doesn’t stay long, but this year’s larch season has people flocking out to the mountains in Alberta.
-
Siksika man files human rights complaint against Alberta Health Services, hospital
A man from a First Nation in southern Alberta has filed a human rights complaint against the provincial health agency and a local hospital, alleging anti-Indigenous discrimination led to the death of his wife.
Edmonton
-
Local $50M-lottery winner to travel Europe, buy Porsche
An Edmonton man won $50 million in a lottery draw earlier this month.
-
Man dead after striking concrete beam at West Edmonton Mall while standing in sunroof
A man is dead following a mishap Thursday at West Edmonton Mall's parkade.
-
Class-action lawsuit seeks compensation for Canadian consumers who bought Cold-FX products
A Canadian class-action lawsuit alleges the effectiveness of Cold-FX products was falsely advertised, and seeks compensation for anyone who bought the products.
Vancouver
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Missing woman involved in B.C. murder trial found dead
The search for Tracy Pickett, who had been missing since Tuesday, has ended tragically.
-
B.C. Sikh leader says RCMP warned him of threats to his life after Nijjar killing
A close associate of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he has also been warned that his life may be in danger.
-
Why a B.C. city ended its decades-long ban on tattoo shops
Up until this week, opening a tattoo parlour in the Township of Langley in B.C.’s Fraser Valley was technically illegal.
