Philou’s Great Ascent: Montreal fundraiser reaching great heights for poly-impaired children

Parents of poly-impaired children climb mountains every day — and on Saturday, they literally showed that to Montreal through their symbolic event on Mount Royal, called “Philou’s Great Ascent.”

The group of parents and their children – who most were in wheelchairs – climbed the mountain together during the third edition of the fundraiser.

“That’s what we wanna show to people,” said Diane Chênevert, Founder and general manager, Centre Philou. “Love and strength that can make you go over any mountain.”

Our children are probably the most vulnerable children that we have in our society,” said Chênevert. “Because they are not mobile at all.”

The event, put together by Centre Philou, an organization that provides services for children with disabilities.

Volunteers push the children’s wheelchairs up the mountain trail — the goal of this: to get a sense of the challenges parents have to push through.

A way to help raise awareness of the realities these families face — daily.

“Basically I’m my son’s voices, their legs, their arms,” explained Ann Gagnon, who has two boys, Bradley and Kieran. “We do everything for them.”

“They’re like six month old babies,” she added. “So this is my opportunity to show what it looks like in my daily routine with them.”

About 30 young people with multiple disabilities and their families were present, as well as Centre Philou staff and volunteers.

Some of the challenges these children face include a severe motor deficit combined with a severe or profound intellectual disability.

But the Centre Philou, created in 2005, continues to provide positive support and services.

“I think our love just goes beyond what many people can expect and our strength as well,” said Chênevert. “It’s to show that it’s all together that we will succeed in helping our most vulnerable people in our society.

“Let’s reach even greater heights for polyimpaired children,” wrote the Fondation Philou on their website. “Help them wheel their child to the top.”

“It’s a challenge in itself!”