About Me

As a mother of two children with disabilities – Julia, age 10, wheelchair user due to a spinal cord injury at 17 months of age, and Tanner, age 5, Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as ADHD and speech delay – I know firsthand why inclusive playgrounds are crucial. For many years, we simply avoided playgrounds because it was too difficult, both physically and emotionally, for our family to visit.

In early 2022, I spearheaded the Julia’s Junction Inclusive Play Space project, endeavouring to build not only a fully accessible, but a truly inclusive playground in my community of West Kelowna. Over the course of 16 months, myself and the team I put together had raised $900,000, and we celebrated the grand opening of Julia’s Junction in Summer 2023.

Contact Melissa
A woman smiling while holding a clear cup, a man smiling beside her, and a child also smiling with dark frosting on her lips.
Melissa Grassmick family

Life before our family was touched by spinal cord injury

Prior to having my beautiful children, Julia and Tanner, I focused on my career. My husband and I both held jobs we loved – he was, and still is, in management at RONA and I oversaw the Conference Services department at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort (Marriott). In this role I managed a team of five, worked directly with meeting planners to plan and execute successful events, coordinated with the hotel’s many other departments on a daily basis, and was responsible for the Catering forecast on an ongoing basis. While challenging, I found my career very rewarding and fulfilling. 

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, life as I knew it would never be the same again. After Julia’s diagnosis of a blood clot on her spinal cord causing permanent paralysis, I knew immediately I had to step down from my role at the Delta Grand, and focus on my daughter’s health and well-being.

Over these past 9 years, I have used my organizational, financial literacy, customer relations and event planning skills in a much different way. From hosting golf tournament fundraisers to building a $900,000 inclusive playground, I am excited to have re-entered the workforce and look forward to supporting you with your project.

Fundraising & Accomplishments

Accessibility & Inclusion Advocacy

I am a passionate advocate for families experiencing accessibility and inclusion challenges or roadblocks, always striving to educate others and create positive change.
Cowk

City Of West Kelowna Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Orllogo

Okanagan Regional Library Accessibility & Inclusion Committee

Rotary Intl Color

As a West Kelowna resident since 2017, I am actively involved in our local Rotary Club as Director of Fundraising.