CBC Television Interview October 2014 - Julie Ireton

Locked out of school because of her disability.

Inspired by a true story

“Teach Me I Can Learn” is a moving, unconventional drama about a child with Down syndrome who gets discriminated against for her disability in the year 2001. Lorena’s mother, Marie, decides enough is enough when her daughter is locked out of school because of her disability. Guided by Pamela Sharpe and other integration activists, Lorena’s family goes through a lengthy struggle with the local School Board… all the way to the Supreme Court.

It is our hope the movie will move people to support and understand our desire to include our children with disabilities to be educated and become productive members of their communities.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of producing a movie that will be unforgettable for generations to come so please select one or more perks and contribute.

"The lowest point"

A scene from the book.

"There has been no investigation. There has been no hearing. These are all blatant disregard for the law. So don't pull a word out of a hat and tell me because the Board took them off the registry that they don't have a right to be in this school. And if not this school, what school? You tell me what other school? What school then?" Pamela yelled out.

"Go ahead with your trespass letter," said Gord. "We're doing nothing wrong. Do we look like we're demonstrating now? We're quite peaceful." By now, Catherine had stopped crying and had squirmed out of her mother's arms. Edward was trying to take both children off to the side to comfort them.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of producing a movie that will be unforgettable for generations to come so please select one or more perks and contribute.

Ottawa Sun with permission

Lorraine Amyot (Story by Mom/Fundraiser)

Lorraine took an early retirement last June from the federal government with nineteen years of service as an administrative and legal assistant.

She and her husband John raised their children, twenty one-year-old Nicole who has Down syndrome, and nineteen-year-old Jullian who is studying Journalism at Carleton University.

Her most important job was raising her children and she took her responsibilities as a mother seriously. “Teach Me I Can Learn” is a story about her daughter who has Down syndrome who gets discriminated against for her disability.

Since Nicole’s birth, she has proudly taken on the role of social activist, advocating on behalf of children with disabilities for inclusion in our schools and communities and continues to do so today.

"For humanity's sake, uphold the rights and freedoms of our children with special needs. because it's about ability"

Lorraine Amyot

John Paquin (Dad/Fundraiser)

John has put his I.T. career on hold to help produce this movie. He has fifteen years of experience with corporate I.T. and business structures. While serving with two of Canada’s largest communications providers John has developed the project management skills needed to commit to a project of this scope.

As the father of Nicole he has experienced the challenges of raising a child who has an intellectual disability. The years of struggling to comprehend the education system has given him a unique perspective of what it is like to be excluded from your community and a desire to give people with disabilities a voice thru this movie production.

" Every child in the world deserves to be included in thier community and the local school should not be the exception"

John Paquin

Please help us make this movie.

A gift to the world, and most importantly a voice for our children with special needs and their families everywhere. Take a look at all the valuable perks we've created for you to help us make our film. We greatly appreciate your contribution. Thank you in advance!

This movie will bring to life my struggle for education.

In 2010, Canada ratified the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and now all children must be integrated into a neighbourhood school. Canada also agreed to repeal any laws that discriminated against our children; however the Education Act of Ontario continues to describe our children with developmental disabilities (DD) as having an "inability to profit from a special education".

Every child in the world deserves to be included in their community and their local school.