Liette Marcil was not exactly destined for a career working with disabled youth. Liette was completing her bachelor’s degree in physical education when, as part of a course with Claude Lefrançois (a specialist in adapted physical activity and former member of AlterGo’s Board of Directors), she went to the Victor-Doré school to interview a young parasport athlete.
Liette was immediately charmed. “When I saw the students in the pool, I immediately said to myself, “Can I do an internship here?” Right away I fell in love with the place.” She pitched the internship to the supervisors, and her request was approved. That was in 1993. By 1996, Liette was officially a physical education teacher at École Victor-Doré. She’s spent her entire, amazing, career there.
Teaching physcial education – differently
Without a doubt, there was a period of adaptation when she began. After all, teaching physical education to young people with motor disabilities, or who use wheelchairs or mobility aids, is not exactly the same approach as what Liette was taught in school.
“Everything has to be relearned. A lot of adaptation needs to take place in order for young people to succeed. We really start with their abilities, their motor skills. We do trial and error, and then we get them to surpass themselves and fulfill their potential.”
Another difference that comes with teaching youth with disabilities, is the relationship that’s created, which is far more personal. Liette genuinely appreciates this closer degree of contact with her students and their families.
When you talk to Liette and see her wide smile as she talks about her students, you know without a doubt that she belongs at Victor-Doré. While this career may have found her by chance, it was absolutely made for her.
Unforgettable moments
Liette began her internship at École Victor-Doré in 1993. That same year, she accompanied a small group of students to their first Défi sportif AlterGo. She remembers how small the event was back then, with far fewer athletes, and all of them from the Montreal area.
It was yet another case of instant enthusiasm – and she’s came back to the event every year since. Liette has been able to see how much Défi sportif AlterGo has grown, and with it, the positive impact on an ever-increasing number of athletes.
After years of following the event, Liette certainly has a host of beautiful memories and memorable moments she’s lived with her young athletes, but there’s one that stands out.
“It was in one of first few years, we were playing adapted volleyball and made it all the way to the finals. Then we won in the final…that moment, when the final point was scored, and we won. My students, let me tell you, they were just screaming with joy! Some of them were crying! To see the light in their eyes – they had just accomplished something truly exceptional. In primary volleyball, we always played against students who weren’t in wheelchairs. So, it was a truly a moment to remember.”
A wide variety of adapted sports
To prepare them for participation in the Défi sportif AlterGo, Liette and her colleagues Laura and Greta, work with and train students during their physical education classes, but also during extracurricular lunchtime activities.
Over the years, École Victor-Doré’s young athletes have competed in wide variety of sports, including para-athletics, wheelchair slalom, shot put, functional circuit with motor disabilities, rhythmic gymnastics, adapted baseball, volleyball, swimming and boccia.
Liette, her colleagues, and some of their students were present on the first day of the Défi sportif AlterGo on Friday April 25 to take in the boccia competition.
Liette discovered the sport during her first participation in the Défi sportif AlterGo, all those years ago.
“From that moment on, we practiced [boccia] at school, because it’s a sport that appeals to many of our students, and that they can pursue after, as well, as teenagers and adults.”
One last Défi sportif AlterGo?
Liette will retire in June of this year… but that doesn’t mean farewell.
“This will be my last Défi sportif AlterGo as a physical education teacher, yes. But, like my students, the Défi is a love story. I definitely plan on continuing to come.”
One thing is certain, we’re sure that countless volunteers, employees, and former students will always be delighted to see her back at the event!
Read also: Jimmy Pelletier: Taking on Challenges and Giving Back
