Some stories don’t begin on a stage.
Kris S. was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth. From childhood, his life often revolved around urgent medical care—appointments, hospital stays, recovery, and the reality of missing many days of school. The condition brought pain, fatigue, and uncertainty.
But it did not take away his calling.
Read This : Keys of Hope
A piano in the middle of the struggle
Even when his body demanded rest, Kris kept returning to the piano.
Not as an escape from life—but as a way to face it.
Kris S. is a pianist in Montréal who has lived with sickle cell disease since birth. Because his condition often required intensive medical care, he missed many days of school—but he refused to let illness define his future.
Step by step, Kris kept learning and growing. He completed his training with Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, finished secondary school at Collège Brébeuf de Montréal, and went on to earn his Bachelor in Piano at the Conservatory (2026). Along the way, he won several piano competitions—proof of both talent and perseverance.
Today, Kris teaches part-time as a university piano instructor while continuing his studies at Polytechnique Montréal, combining discipline, creativity, and a deep desire to contribute.
His journey reminds us that hope can exist alongside hardship—and that a child’s potential should never be limited by health challenges or difficult circumstances.
Kris’s story helped inspire RefugeRoot’s Keys of Hope project in Togo: a music education initiative serving children in need, including those facing instability or medical conditions. Through music, we help children build confidence, resilience, and joy—so they can keep moving forward, no matter what they’re carrying.
Read This : Keys of Hope
Music becomes more than lessons.
It becomes dignity. Discipline. Joy. A future.
Why this matters
A medical condition can interrupt school.
It can interrupt childhood.
It can interrupt a sense of “normal.”
But it should never interrupt a child’s worth.
Kris’s journey is a living proof that resilience is possible—and that compassion can be passed on.
That is what Keys of Hope aims to do in Togo: help children be strong and hopeful, no matter their circumstances, and inspire them to show compassion to others.
Join the mission
If Kris’s story speaks to you, you can be part of Keys of Hope:
- Support the program so more children can access music education
- Volunteer your skills or network
- Share this post so others can discover the mission
Because one person’s courage can become many children’s hope.
Plant roots. Grow futures.
