Manitoba teen with disabilities wins contest with help from community

BEAUSEJOUR — A Manitoba teen with severe disabilities is now the winner of an online contest to help grow her business.

READ MORE: Manitoba Teen with disabilities hopes you’ll support her cause

Sydney Deneka started Kozy Kritters by Sydney in 2012 and makes personalized blankets for pets and babies.

The 17 year old has severe disabilities. She was diagnosed with Coffin-Siris syndrome which affects all aspects of her life.

Sydney entered the Just Watch Me video contest for entrepreneurs with disabilities. It is put on by Community Futures.

The winner was selected by online voting from the public.

Sydney’s small town of Beausejour rallied around her. Businesses put up signs trying to get people to vote with one place even taking an advertisement in the local paper.

“It is really humbling for my husband and I, we don’t know how to express it,” said Sydney’s mom Heather last week. “It is just amazing.”

Community Futures announced on Wednesday Sydney won the contest with 52 per cent of the votes. In all 15,466 votes were cast for Sydney.

She will take home $1000 as well as other prizes including website consultation.

Sydney does not have a website so her mom said that prize will go a long way for her.

An awards presentation is planned for Sydney at her school on Friday.

If you are interested in buying one of her blankets you can email sydenny@hotmail.com or call 204-268-3910.