When a class of Grade 6 students came to call the pre-holiday hike Operation Leave No One Behind, it was clear this would be no simple winter walk.

Chris Mieske香蕉视频直播檚 class at Trafalgar Middle School in Nelson includes Todd St. Pierre, who was born with bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria, a genetic disorder that affects his mobility.

So if they were going to spend a day stomping through snow outside Nelson, they needed a solution for including Todd.

香蕉视频直播淏ecause he香蕉视频直播檚 our classmate,香蕉视频直播� said student Koen de Jong. 香蕉视频直播淏ringing him helps us learn about empathy.香蕉视频直播�

The answer was a sled, designed and built just for Todd. The students solicited local businesses for supplies and took about three weeks to complete the finished product.

Koen said building the sled meant learning all about Todd香蕉视频直播檚 needs. Pool noodles, for example, were cut and added to the sides of the sled to pad his legs, which tend to lean out.

香蕉视频直播淲hen he gets upset or excited he throws his head back, so we needed to put some cushion on his head,香蕉视频直播� said Koen.

香蕉视频直播淲e had to think about him going to the bathroom, him being able to have fun at the camp when we get there and we eventually came up with the idea to put people in life jackets, hook them up to the sled and pull it along and then have people in the back pushing or act as a break if you香蕉视频直播檙e going downhill.香蕉视频直播�

Mieske said he wanted his students to learn that even though Todd can香蕉视频直播檛 walk, he is still journeying through school with them.

香蕉视频直播淢y big message to these students is Todd香蕉视频直播檚 going to be walking across the stage at graduation with them in six years and I want them to feel like he香蕉视频直播檚 been part of their education and I want him to feel like he香蕉视频直播檚 been part of the bigger group,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淛ust because he香蕉视频直播檚 got difficulties with moving around and he has difficulties communicating, he香蕉视频直播檚 still one of them and they need to see he is an equal to them in our school.香蕉视频直播�

When the class travelled to the Nelson Nordic Ski Club香蕉视频直播檚 Clearwater trail on Dec. 19, four students put on snow shoes and attached themselves to the sled before Todd was carefully, and happily, lowered in.

Some classmates cheered, others high-fived Todd, and when it came time to hike all 27 students marched into the woods together without anyone left behind.

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tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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