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Story provided by Chelsea Isenor, Director of Communications and Board Administration

At the Kamloops-Thompson School District, we strive to make our schools and learning environments inclusive and accessible for all. One of our core values, as outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, is Equity. We are committed to removing barriers and creating environments that provide accessible and empowering opportunities for all students and staff to thrive.

From May 26 to June 1, 2024, we acknowledge and celebrate National AccessAbility Week throughout the District. The goal of National AccessAbility Week is to celebrate the important contributions made by Canadians with disabilities, while raising awareness for ways we can all help remove barriers and make our communities more accessible for all. This year’s theme, Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All, emphasizes the need for collective efforts to create a barrier-free Canada. 

In advance of AccessAbility Week, École Lloyd George Elementary staff and students participated in their annual Superhero Day for the 4th year in a row. On Thursday, May 23, 2024 Lloyd George staff and the family of student Jude Mitton organized a Superhero Walk for students to show support for their classmate Jude, who is living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Anik Hansen, a Certified Education Assistant at École Lloyd George Elementary has helped bring this event to life each year. Speaking about the origins of the event and her personal connections to it, she shared: “I have seen Jude grow up and I have watched his world get smaller and smaller each year. However, I also noticed something that didn’t get smaller—the incredible friendships and support he has from the students and staff at Lloyd George Elementary. Inspired by this, in 2021, my former co-worker, Jenna Simpson, and I decided to try and make his world even bigger by bringing awareness to Jude’s condition, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As such, we created our own Superhero Walk. In doing so, our entire school community could uplift him and his family. This walk has brought awareness not only to Jude’s illness, but also to the importance of accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. Each year, Superhero Day has shown the students that these are not only words but rather actions in motion and a way of life. Everyone is different and everyone deserves a chance to be included. If we start with our youth, they will hopefully actively enact these words in the future. To everyone who needs a little extra hand, we see you, we walk for you, and we will together create a better world for you.”

This year, students and staff were encouraged to dress us as their favorite superhero or personal heroes. Hundreds of students donning capes, sports jerseys, and bright costumes paraded down Pine Street, showcasing that heroes come in all forms.

As École Lloyd George Principal Melanie Dumas shared: “Seeing everyone come to school dressed up as their Superhero is not only powerful, but heartwarming. Hearing students singing the song ‘We are the Champions’ in front of Jude's house at the end of the walk brought tears to my eyes because it showed me once again that together we can achieve remarkable things, together we can make a difference.”

As the students marched towards Jude’s house, the true meaning of AccessAbility Week was front and center, with Jude proudly leading the way. On that day, the theme of Accessibility and Inclusion for All was felt by everyone.

“Every year I get excited to walk with my friends.” shared Jude Mitton. “It makes me feel supported and less alone. I feel lucky to have people who care and want to help.”