Sisler student shares powerful message on inclusion

École Secondaire Sisler High School Grade 12 student, Colton Bollegraf, recently took the stage at Scene Night, an evening for students to showcase the skills and techniques they have learned in drama class, to speak about the importance of inclusion. Colton's words were written and spoken using a specialized eye-driven communication tool called EyeGaze. 

“When Colton shared his words for the first time, the students were completely silent for three minutes, all focused on him,” said Hope Figueroa, Colton’s drama teacher. "The class just erupted into support and feedback for him.”

Later, Colton took the stage to share his words again, this time, in front of a much larger audience of staff, parents, family members, friends, and community at Scene Night. Colton's three-minute long monologue included how he views cerebral palsy as his superpower, an ability, not disability. The room was his, as all in attendance took in his powerful message of wanting to be treated like everyone else and connect with his peers. 

“Hello, my name is Colton. I love my family, mom, dad, my brothers, my sisters, and dogs. I love my friends; I love my school and my teachers and E.A. I love hockey and football and certain shows on TV. Since birth I have this ability called Cerebral Palsy. It is not something bad and it is not a disease. This ability gives me the power to observe, hear and see things. It gives me the ability to show my feelings through facial expressions. And now, technology, like this EyeGaze gives me the chance to speak, to share my feelings and thoughts,” said Colton.

Colton with his mom and his longtime EA, Ian Leclerc, at Sisler High School.Figueroa recalls many audience members coming up after Colton’s performance to share their admiration and support.

"Colton's experience on stage shows how important student voice is. It shows why inclusion is important. Colton chose for himself to be in drama this year. His teacher and peers welcomed him just like anybody else. When given the chance, Colton wanted to be center stage and say what he wanted to say,” said Myriam Bara, inclusive education resource teacher and department head of inclusion support programs.

All schools in Winnipeg School Division provide inclusive education. Inclusive education means that all students may attend and are welcomed by their community schools in age-appropriate, regular classrooms and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that allows all individuals, regardless of their gender, abilities, ethnicity or socio-economic status, to feel accepted, valued and safe. 

“I am like any other teenager or young adult, wanting to be included, needing to be included, and to be treated like a young adult. I am a person with an ability. I am a confident person too, I know what I want. I want to be included; I need to be included,” said Colton.

Watch Colton's monologue: