Spotlight Series: Angel Blainey’s story is inspiring others

The Humber Polytechnic grad was a guest speaker at the World Down Syndrome Day international conference

By Chris Clay on
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A person stands between two other people who are sitting at a table.

Angel Blainey has accomplished a great deal in her life.

Blainey is a graduate of Humber Polytechnic’s Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) program as well as Centennial College’s Culinary Management and Baking & Pastry Arts Management programs.  

She’s a high-level athlete and has competed as an alpine skier in the Special Olympics since she was 12. She won two bronze medals in the Giant Slalom and Slalom at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary.

A smiling person stands with their arms crossed.

The ambitious young woman is also the author of the cookbook Angel’s Touch: Sweet and Savoury Delights. Proceeds from the sales of the cookbook were donated to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the hospital that played a vital role in Blainey’s own successful fight with leukemia. More than $65,000 in sales and donations were generated for SickKids and, eight years later, Blainey is cancer free.

She also was a model for the Fashion Heals event in support of SickKids during Toronto Fashion Week 2018.

But that’s not all. Blainey, who was born with Down syndrome, has been working for a couple years at the Donalda Club in Toronto as a second cook. In addition, she runs her own home baking business – Angel’s Sweets – offering up cakes, cookies, cinnamon buns and more.

There’s also her YouTube channel where she posts cooking tutorials and recipes.

“I’ve had a passion for cooking since I was very young,” said Blainey. “I love being in the kitchen – it’s where you make food with love and I have a lot of love in my heart.”

Her experience at Humber "gave me a great foundation and a chance to grow and prove I could do more.” The campus was big and fun to explore, and she had her own close group of friends. Blainey remembers going to a dance party here and having an absolute blast.

Three people are sitting at a table.

During her time at Humber, she got a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional kitchen. Her co-op was at Moxie’s Classic Grill & Bar where she was prep chef. Blainey still pops by her old restaurant to visit and say hi.  

One of her most recent and thrilling accomplishments was being a guest speaker at the World Down Syndrome Day international conference in Trinidad and Tobago. It was held March 20 and March 21 this year with March 21 recognized around the globe as World Down Syndrome Day.

“It was awesome, phenomenal and amazing – it was really great because I got to meet a lot of new friends,” said Blainey, who met with Trinidad and Tobago’s former first lady as part of her trip.

Blainey spoke about how believing in yourself is empowering and how, if you have that belief, you can accomplish great things. She received a standing ovation for her speech and participated in a roundtable discussion.

“Lots of people told me that my speech was very inspiring,” said Blainey. “I like being a role model for other people and telling my story to them. It feels amazing.”

The entire trip was inspiring for Blainey who will always remember the beauty of the country and its beaches. The fresh seafood she had access to – including shrimp, a personal favourite of hers – made the visit that much more memorable.

Humber Polytechnic is more than just a place for higher education. It's a place where students come to reach their full potential; where they can find the person they knew was in them all along. In this Spotlight Series, part of Humber's The You You Knew Was In You campaign, we're highlighting current students and alumni who found the you that was in them, and gained their edge at Humber. Learn more by visiting humber.ca/you.