Discover the six recipients of our 2024 scholarship program
Thanks to a total of $6,000, the scholarships awarded this year by the REA Foundation will support six young Quebecers with various disabilities in pursuing their vocational, college and university studies. Each of them will receive $1,000 as part of the fourth edition of the REA Scholarship Program.
Since the launch of this initiative in 2021, a total of 39 scholarships amounting to $97,500 have supported 32 individuals in achieving their goals and pursuing studies in various fields such as anthropology, architecture, medicine, law, early childhood education, and more.
Giving everyone a real chance
According to the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec, only 15.8% of people with a disability have a college diploma, compared with 18.2% of those without a disability. Moreover, 18.2% of people with a disability have a university degree, compared with 25% of those without a disability. In addition, also according to the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec, 54.7% of Quebecers aged 15 to 64 with a disability are employed, compared with 75.3% of those without a disability.
Discover our six scholarship recipients and their inspiring journeys
Jérémy Deguire, 19 years old, Architectural Technology, Collège Montmorency (Disability: Complete Traumatic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury)
On September 2, 2023, Jérémy was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him paraplegic. Before this event, he was about to complete his studies in carpentry. As he had to change his career path due to his disability, he decided to pursue studies in architecture: ‘Maybe I can no longer build structures, but I can design the plans. And that makes me happy.’
Camille Lalonde, 23 years old, Anthropology, Université de Montréal, Groupe Forget Foundation Scholarship Recipient (Disability: Hearing and Vision Loss Following a Stroke)
At the age of 19, Camille suffered a stroke, resulting in irreversible vision impairment in addition to her pre-existing hearing loss. Despite these challenges, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and is considering further studies in nursing to provide care in underprivileged areas. ‘I would like to support others in their struggles, just as the REA Foundation has done as well in its own way.’
Gabriel Parent, 19 years old, Legal Techniques, Collège Ahuntsic, Groupe Forget Foundation Scholarship Recipient (Disability: Significant Hearing Loss and Verbal Dyspraxia)
Throughout his schooling, Gabriel faced numerous challenges due to significant hearing loss, a language disorder with verbal dyspraxia, and ADHD. ‘My academic journey has been tough, but thanks to my hard work and perseverance, I made it,’ he says. This fall, Gabriel began his studies in Legal Techniques at Collège Ahuntsic.
Kim Plourde, 31 years old, Law, Université du Québec à Montréal (Disability: Cerebral Palsy with Spastic Diplegia)
Currently in her final year of a bachelor’s degree in law, Kim Plourde aspires to become a prominent lawyer. Her journey has been marked by challenges related to her paralysis, but this has never hindered her determination. Actively involved in Indigenous law and other projects, she is preparing to enter the Bar School. ‘The REA Foundation scholarship will allow me to purchase an adapted walker and cover my transportation expenses, significantly easing my daily life,’ she explains.
William Renaud, 22 years old, Architectural Technology, Cégep de Lévis, Groupe Forget Foundation Scholarship Recipient (Disability: Hearing Loss)
Born deaf, William faces challenges in learning and understanding at the same pace as his peers in the academic environment. Note-taking while the teacher speaks is particularly complex for him, as he relies on lip reading. Despite these challenges, he completed high school and has begun studies in Architectural Technology. ‘The REA Foundation scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies without worrying too much about financial constraints,’ he summarizes.
Antoni Salomone, 17 years old, Human Sciences and World Discovery, Cégep de Lévis (Disability: Cerebral Palsy and Trunk Hypotonia)
Since birth, Antoni has lived with spastic quadriplegia, making every movement difficult. ‘I use a wheelchair at school to get around faster and a walker at home,’ he confides. This does not stop him from pursuing his passions for history, politics, and psychology in his studies, as well as playing wheelchair tennis.
