Life with Soran is Zach Fenlon’s way of documenting the time he spends with eight-year-old Soran Roach, a Dorval boy with Down syndrome.
The collection of videos on Fenlon’s YouTube channel show the two on a myriad of adventures from apple picking to Halloween costume shopping.
Fenlon and Roach were paired together through WIAIH, a West Island organization that offers support to those with autism or intellectual handicaps.
In May, Fenlon stopped posting the videos because Roach’s mother, Sonia Guarascio, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I wanted to give them some time alone,” Fenlon told Global News Monday. “I didn’t want Sonia and Soran’s life to be too public.”
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But now, Guarascio has had her first surgery and life at home has stabilized so Life with Soran is back and Fenlon is on a new mission.
After a long hiatus, he posted a video entitled #GetSoniaonEllen to YouTube.
The video is a plea from Roach and Fenlon to daytime star Ellen DeGeneres.
“October is breast cancer month and it is also Down syndrome awareness month so we decided to go for it and try,” Fenlon said while visiting Roach. “I think Sonia deserves to catch a break.”
Fenlon started Life with Soran to show the world how rich Roach’s life is and now he’s hoping the channel will also make Guarascio’s life better as she deals with chemotherapy and waits for a second surgery.
Guarascio calls Fenlon and the volunteers at the WIAIH her “village of miracle workers.”
“They have offered so much support, I really am blessed,” she said.
Roach’s weekly adventures will soon be back and his fans will find the eight-year-old still full of energy but also more grownup.
Roach’s mother says he has taken on the role of protector while she recovers.
“He’s matured. There have been a few nights I’ve woken up screaming and he’s the one next to me rubbing my head,” Guarascio said.
Fenlon says he hopes Life with Soran will showcase more daring feats, friends and family as life continues in Roach’s world.
Read more about Fenlon and Roach on the West Island Blog.
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