Celebrating accomplishment
Jeffrey Lafortune, with his mother Cathy, receives an Honorary Diploma in Human Services.
Jeffrey Lafortune joined fellow Selkirk College grad students this past April to celebrate his accomplishments. Jeff was awarded an Honorary Diploma in Human Services, an honour bestowed on someone who has made significant contributions in their field. Jane Green, Instructor for the Classroom and Community Support Worker program at Selkirk College, and her colleagues wrote a letter to Board of Governors at the college nominating Jeff for this award.
“Jeff has been making a contribution to the program for the last eighteen years as a co-instructor, simply through his presence,” says Jane. “I am really moved that the Board of Governors of Selkirk College has honoured Jeff in this way, it makes me feel proud to be part of an institution that values and honours inclusion.”
This is the first time that Selkirk College has had an accessible stage at Grad. Cathy Lafortune, Jeff’s mom and support worker, says she was impressed with the staff at Selkirk College. “Jeff’s contributions have had ripple effects that have gone through the entire college,” says Cathy. “Angus Graeme, President of Selkirk College, called me at home to tell me that Jeff was going to receive the diploma in recognition of his significant contributions to students’ learning. And the staff at the college built an accessible stage and ensured Jeff’s needs were taken into consideration at the banquet.”
This may be one of the only programs in the province to welcome the involvement of a co-instructor who has complex and diverse needs. “Jeff just being there and inviting people into the discomfort that they sometimes feel when they meet people with complex needs is significant learning for students,” says Jane. “Jeff welcomes whatever comes his direction. He doesn’t discriminate. He includes people and invites them to get in touch with the judgement and fear inside of themselves.”
His mother, Cathy, has served as his support worker, which has helped the students learn about the support worker role and the role of the family. Cathy learned that part of her job is to let people help them and open doors.
“When people stop to open a door for us, they are opening more than just a door, they are making a connection and going away with a good feeling and we are too. This really sums up Jeff’s job as an ambassador and educator,” says Cathy.
Both Jane and Cathy feel that the students have learned much from Jeff. Most importantly, they have learned that people can outlive their labels, that a person who doesn’t use words can still communicate articulately, that you call a person by their first name, not by their label, that Jeff’s noises do not mean he is dying, and that they can ask the questions that they never had permission to ask.
“Jeff has been a calm port in the storm of student life, because he grounds them and provides real life learning,” says Jane.
Cathy believes a lot of injustice results because people have not been exposed to people with disabilities. “This program is also a safeguard for Jeff. It is a wonderful social opportunity for him. He is very well positioned to make his contribution and meet new friends,” says Cathy.
Teri Todd, Jeff’s sister, said that he was very deserving of this award and she was thankful for a situation where her brother was not just tolerated, but celebrated.
