I recently spoke at a local high school to explain to the students what it feels like to live with a disability. I want everyone to understand that being different isn’t scary or weird”
Jamie Perrenoud
Found another hero!! I learned of Jamie when he spoke briefly at an event. He was notable before he spoke by the energy that emanated from him, then when he spoke the enthusiasm and earnestness of his message really brought home his message. Bullying hurts people! I expect that more of us than will ever admit have faced bullying of some sort during our lives and there are deep scars covering dark places inside us where once we innocently expected that we would be accepted as we are. Jamie's reaction and actions to address bullying are inspiring and full of what I call "grace". Instead of withdrawing into a shell he is choosing to shine a light on the inside of his experience. He is courageously putting his most vulnerable self out to help the world see that others "differences" are not to be feared or ridiculed. Thank you Jamie, may you inspire both bullies and those subject to bullying to shine a light on their fear. It is the responsibility of all of us to deal with this epidemic in our competitive, materialistic, egocentric society where values are so topsy-turvey that we need to be reminded that judgement, hatred and bullying breeds more fear and hatred and are anathema to appreciation, love, respect and any chance of peace.
Cheers
Jeanne
Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Define Life of Jamie Perrenoud
Jamie started his own T-shirt business with a clear message: “Don’t judge, Don’t hate, Don’t bully.”
Article & Images by Gareth Vieira
Jamie Perrenoud is a 32-year-old man who lives with Cerebral Palsy, and while this diagnosis is an aspect of his life, it doesn’t define his life. What defines him is his determination to beat the odds, to make a difference, and to speak out with a creative spirit for people of different abilities
“I have been bullied and judged all my life,” said Jamie.
“So I took it upon myself to make a difference. I’m fighting for every individual that lives with a disability, every day, like me and anyone who has been bullied.”
With this view as his framework, Jamie started his own T-shirt business with a clear message: don’t judge, don’t hate, don’t bully, just appreciate. “If enough people wear the T-shirts it might make a difference in how people treat each other,” said Jamie. The money raised from T-shirt sales will be donated to the March of Dimes and Community Living in Ontario to develop day programs for the differently-abled.
Jamie is living proof of that old adage, you practice what you preach, and his advocacy for people living with disabilities is a ceaseless testament to that as he brings awareness to many causes and movements that are important to him. “I recently spoke at a local high school to explain to the students what it feels like to live with a disability. I want everyone to understand that being different isn’t scary or weird,” said Jamie.
Jamie’s parents, Charlotte and Pierre, both say that from a young age Jamie has always had a spark of enthusiasm when it came to supporting causes that could bring attention to people with special needs.
“Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a young age Jamie, never let it get in his way.” says his father Pierre. “Jamie has one of those personalities that is not deterred easily and I get the feeling when someone says something can’t be done, he not only shows them that it can but how it can be done better and along the way clears a path for others who want to embark on a similar road.”
Jamie was a founding member of the special needs rock band Superfire. They played to school audiences and at rock venues. The band recorded two CD’s of original music, with Jamie contributing a good number of songs, said his father adds.
Jamie’s foray into fundraising as a means to expose stereotypes and intolerance began several years ago when he undertook his first T-shirt fundraiser, donating over $800 to the March of Dimes.
“With the success of that first T-shirt fundraiser, Jamie embarked on his latest venture “J.A.M.” (Just Appreciate Movement) The message Jamie is putting out there is to appreciate people different from yourself,” said Charlotte.
In December of last year, Jamie donated $310 to Community Living Burlington for their special needs music program, and his donation was matched by an anonymous donor. His parents say the shirts have truly resonated with those that see negative behaviour towards others, as just not acceptable.
Jamie proves that having a disability, whether it be physical, mental, visible or invisible, includes a broad spectrum of people, and while the difficulties navigating a disability can be hard, a disability is just a single facet of who we are, not all we are. We are connected, yet different, and it’s our differences that make us special and unique.
“I have been bullied and judged all my life,” said Jamie.
Jamie is living proof of that old adage, you practice what you preach, and his advocacy for people living with disabilities is a ceaseless testament to that as he brings awareness to many causes and movements that are important to him. “I recently spoke at a local high school to explain to the students what it feels like to live with a disability. I want everyone to understand that being different isn’t scary or weird,” said Jamie.
Jamie’s parents, Charlotte and Pierre, both say that from a young age Jamie has always had a spark of enthusiasm when it came to supporting causes that could bring attention to people with special needs.
“Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a young age Jamie, never let it get in his way.” says his father Pierre. “Jamie has one of those personalities that is not deterred easily and I get the feeling when someone says something can’t be done, he not only shows them that it can but how it can be done better and along the way clears a path for others who want to embark on a similar road.”
Jamie was a founding member of the special needs rock band Superfire. They played to school audiences and at rock venues. The band recorded two CD’s of original music, with Jamie contributing a good number of songs, said his father adds.
Jamie’s foray into fundraising as a means to expose stereotypes and intolerance began several years ago when he undertook his first T-shirt fundraiser, donating over $800 to the March of Dimes.
“With the success of that first T-shirt fundraiser, Jamie embarked on his latest venture “J.A.M.” (Just Appreciate Movement) The message Jamie is putting out there is to appreciate people different from yourself,” said Charlotte.
In December of last year, Jamie donated $310 to Community Living Burlington for their special needs music program, and his donation was matched by an anonymous donor. His parents say the shirts have truly resonated with those that see negative behaviour towards others, as just not acceptable.
Jamie proves that having a disability, whether it be physical, mental, visible or invisible, includes a broad spectrum of people, and while the difficulties navigating a disability can be hard, a disability is just a single facet of who we are, not all we are. We are connected, yet different, and it’s our differences that make us special and unique.
No comments:
Post a Comment