Michael Cantu

Michael Cantu and Toli were paired together in May of 2017.  Michael was injured in an unfortunate accident when he landed head first in a foam pit back in August of 2011.  It was two days before the start of sophomore year at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and he quickly learned that his life would never be the same.  From the beginning, Michael has maintained a very positive attitude and has inspired many others.  He graduated with his class in 2014 and is now in his 4^th year at Kent State where he studies Zoology.

Toli joined Michael at Kent State for the first time this semester and he has changed Michael’s life.  In addition to providing Michael with assistance with opening doors and picking up things that fall from Michael’s lap, the biggest difference has been with how other students interact with Michael.  Michael says in the past, many students would look at him and then quickly look away, not knowing what to say or how to interact.  Now, many students are drawn in because of Toli, and Michael has made many more friends this semester.

Toli has become a ‘regular’ on the Kent State main campus and accompanies Michael to his appointments, therapy and everywhere else he goes.  He usually is the source of many smiles and helps to start up conversations.  Although Michael and Toli have only been together for 6 months, they quickly became best friends and Michael can’t imagine life with his sidekick.