When you listen to Anna and Veronica talk about their friendship, there is warmth and ease between them that only comes from years of knowing and trusting one another. While they have been officially matched for 10 years, their friendship began long before that, rooted in a connection that has grown steadily over decades.
“We were already friends,” Anna says. “And we will remain friends, no matter what.”
Anna had already been involved with the organization in its early days in the 80s, first as a volunteer Ally, and later as a member of the Board of Directors. Her motivation to be more involved was simple and deeply personal: “I thought it would be good for my kids. They were young, and they should grow up knowing that people with disabilities are just regular people, and they belong in the community.”
Veronica, on the other hand, came to ABLE2 after her mother encouraged her to seek out more social connections. She had several matches, and over the years, became actively involved as a volunteer with the organization. She became the first chair of the Consumer Advisory Committee and served on the Board of Directors, helping ensure that lived experience shaped the organization’s direction.
That shared commitment is what first brought Anna and Veronica together.
Through many car rides home, organizing events, and supporting fundraising initiatives together, their connection deepened. When their previous matches ended, becoming officially matched simply felt right. As Anna describes it, it felt like a ‘logical match’.
They’ve walked side by side at many Ottawa Race Weekend events, volunteered at events, and appeared on local TV to raise awareness, raise funds, and contribute to causes close to their hearts.
One story still stands out for Anna and Veronica. At an external fundraising event in the community, the organizers were initially hesitant to allow Veronica and her son, Daniel to volunteer because of their disabilities. Anna advocated for them and firmly insisted that they be given the opportunity. They stayed, and years later, even when Anna could no longer volunteer at that same event, Veronica and Daniel continued to show up.
For Veronica, being part of these experiences has meant a great deal. “It’s important to get out in the community and meet people,” she says. “I love being involved, helping out, being part of events.”
When they aren’t busy with volunteering and fundraising, they simply enjoy each other’s company. They love going out to try different diners and cafes around the city. “Stick with Veronica, we’ll do it all,” Anna says with a smile.
But it’s during life’s more difficult moments that their bond is felt most deeply.
When Veronica needed surgery, Anna stayed with her at the hospital. “She came for me, and that meant a lot,” she shares. Likewise, when Anna was faced with her own battle with cancer, Veronica remained by her side. Through illness, family challenges, and loss, Anna and Veronica continue to show up for each other, not just in the good days, but when it matters most. “We weather the storms together,” Anna says.
That kind of presence is not something either of them takes for granted. It has brought comfort, strength and a sense of stability to both their lives.
Today, their friendship continues in the same quiet, meaningful way it always has: through phone calls, shared meals, and time spent together whenever they can. They have become constants in each other’s live, moving forward side by side.
For Anna, what began as volunteering has become something deeply personal. “It’s good for both sides,” she reflects. “It opens your eyes to things you don’t always see.”
Their friendship reflects the core of ABLE2’s Matching Program: connection is not one-sided. It grows over time, through trust and shared experiences, and the genuine commitment to show up for one another.
For Veronica, being part of ABLE2 has been both empowering and meaningful. It has created space for her to expand her social connections, give back to the community, and help others feel included. “It’s important to get out in the community and meet people,” she says.
Anna understands how important that is, especially in moments when life feels heavy. “Things happen in life, and it’s easy to withdraw,” she reflects. “ABLE2 creates opportunities for people to feel valued, to participate, and to build real friendships.”
And they both have done exactly that, not only for each other, but for the broader community around them.
Their story is a reminder that friendship does not need to be extraordinary to be life-changing. Sometimes, it’s found in simple moments spent together, and in choosing to show up for each other.
For over 50 years, ABLE2’s Matching Program has been changing lives, creating intentional, one-to-one friendships between individuals with disabilities and volunteers. These matches reduce social isolation, build confidence, and offer meaningful connections.
Your support makes friendships like Anna and Veronica’s possible. By donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, you help ensure no one walks through life alone.
Learn more or get involved at www.able2.org.