There are children who change the way we see the world. Magalie is one of them.

At 10 years old, she radiates a gentle sensitivity and strength to the people she meets. Always smiling, kind-hearted and endearing, she has that rare ability to make those around her feel good. Her parents say she is a real ray of sunshine.

Born with oesophageal atresia and severe tracheomalacia, Magalie got to know the hospital before getting to know the world. She underwent her first surgery mere hours after being born. Over time, there were dozens more. Breathing, eating, sleeping – everything required care, constant surveillance and endless energy from her family.

For a long time, a tracheostomy helped her breathe. Until the age of 6 ½, she was unable to speak at all. Her parents learned to lip read, convinced that one day she would finally make her voice heard. And eventually, medical advances and a steadfast medical team made the impossible possible.

Today, thanks to medical expertise and extraordinary determination, Magalie can talk and breathe almost as well as other children. She has been going to regular classes at school since January 2026 and is discovering the simple pleasures that so many others take for granted.

What is most impressive about Magalie is her determination. She reaches out to encourage others who are experiencing tough times: “Never stop believing. Give it a try, at least. That helped me.”

Her family is the most precious thing in her world. Mom is her hero. Christmas is her favourite day of the year because the people she loves most congregate on the holiday. She dreams of becoming a doctor, like Dr. Daniel who restored her voice, or perhaps an esthetician. She adores gymnastics and would dearly love to learn contemporary dance.

To celebrate her tenth birthday, Magalie asked her family to donate to research and sick children instead of buying presents. A gesture that reflects who she is – grateful to those who helped her recover her voice, and generous in giving hope to other families.