A veteran of the Défi sportif AlterGo with over 15 years experience under her belt, and a physical therapist who has brought Lanaudière’s youth to the Défi’s school program for more than 10 years.
Of all the many roles she’s had over the years, one thing is absolutely certain: Manon Charron has undoubtedly contributed to making the Défi sportif AlterGo a success – as well as being responsible for increasing participation at the event in her region of Lanaudière.
Why not the Défi sportif AlterGo?
Since the very early days of her career as a physical therapist, Manon always knew she wanted to work with children.
She first heard about the Défi sportif AlterGo while working at the Lanaudière and Laurentides regions’ Le Bouclier rehabilitation center. She participated in a Rehabilitation Day where the center’s director told her she should come check out the Défi sportif AlterGo.
The idea took root, and in 2007, Manon came with a team from Les Torpilles de Repentigny Swimming Club for the para-swimming competition. Then, in 2010, she began volunteering.
After seeing other rehabilitation centres bringing youth to the school program, she wondered to herself, “Why shouldn’t we go too?”
At the time, Lise Bolduc was the Executive Director of the centre where Manon worked, and gave her the green light to participate. Notably, Ms. Bolduc was also a member of AlterGo’s Board of Directors up until last year.
Flourishing physically as well as socially
Manon confirms that participating in the Défi sportif AlterGo is a source of great motivation for youth at the CISSS de Lanaudière.
“It gives them a goal to strive for; it makes them want to practice, knowing they have the shot put, jumps, races, tricycle, walker, and wheelchair events. It allows them to pursue a goal.”
She notes that virtually all the young people in her group attend regular schools. When they return to the event year after year, they make friends, form teams, and naturally look forward to returning and renewing their friendships.
As a result, participation in the Défi sportif AlterGo becomes an opportunity for these young people to thrive physically while also flourishing socially.
Partnerships That Yield Results
Over the years, Manon and her colleagues have worked hard to forge partnerships that have brought even more young para-athletes from Lanaudière to the Défi sportif AlterGo, while also expanding adaptive sports opportunities in her region.
An example of such a partnership occurred with the Club d’athlétisme Lanaudière-Olympiques, which now offers three or four para-athletics workshops per season, allowing young para-athletes to prepare together for their participation in the Défi sportif AlterGo.
Another partnership she helped establish is with the Association des personnes handicapées physiques Rive-Nord (APHPRN) and the Association régionale de loisir pour personnes handicapées de Lanaudière (ARLPHL). These associations help bring highly valued support staff to the Défi sportif AlterGo.
“We try to build partnerships with the community because once the kids are no longer being supported at the rehabilitation center, we want to ensure continuity—that someone else takes over.”
Manon confirms that parents are also thrilled to return to the Défi sportif AlterGo every year. “They look forward to their child participating in the Défi sportif AlterGo because it’s genuinely a wonderful day for everyone.”
A movement that continues to grow..!
Lanaudière is a large region, and Manon is pleased to see an increasing number of youth participating in the Défi from farther and farther away – even from the region’s more northern areas.
“We’ve been coming to the Défi since about 2011–2012, but at that time, most of the athletes were from southern Lanaudière—around Mascouche, Terrebonne, and Repentigny. In recent years however, more athletes have been coming from northern Lanaudière. Last year there was only one; this year there are already four. We’re glad they’re coming, even if it’s far for them; it means we’re able to keep them interested.”
And while this year is her last Défi sportif AlterGo as a physical therapist accompanying a group of young para-athletes, don’t be too worried about missing this Défi superfan – because she’ll be back as a volunteer again next year.
Noted Manon, “Yes, you’ll see me again! Even this year, out of the 11 total days of the Défi sportif AlterGo, there are only 3 days I won’t be there. There are days that I will come as a physical therapist, and other days I’ll be there as a volunteer.”
Happy retirement, Manon!
Read also : Liette Marcil and the Défi sportif AlterGo: a charmed history
