Able Tales Newsletter

Jonathan Provencher is an extraordinary, intelligent man with a disability. His disability has never stopped him from being a productive member of our society.

Jonathan was born with Cerebral Palsy and did not walk until he was three years old. When he started to walk his feet turned inward. As a child, Jonathan was picked on a lot. His dad taught him to stand up for himself, so he learned to fight for himself. Jonathan also had brothers who would stick up for him.

Jonathan's dad left when he was 3 years old, and he lived with his mother. His family never talked about his disability. They always treated him just like everyone else. They thought maybe the disability would go away if it wasn`t talked about, so it got swept under the rug.

When Jonathan was 6 years old, he had reconstruction surgery where they took bones from his hips to strengthen his ankles and tendons cord in the back of the ankle, to relieve tension.

In high school, Jonathan became a partier. This was an easy way to fit in. He enjoyed drinking and being a clown. He was very angry and felt depressed, not understanding why he had this disability instead of someone else.

Jonathan wanted to do something with his life. He had a yearning to become a teacher and decided to go to college. He attended Southern Vermont College in Bennington, Vermont. Jonathan threw himself into his studies. He found that he made lots of friends, because college students are more tolerant of people's differences.

At college, Jonathan won many academic awards. He won the Who`s Who Awards, Achievement Awards, and was also on the Deans list 8 or 9 times. He received the Resident Advisory Award of the year and graduated with a 3.25 GPA. Jonathan received his BA in Social Work and Psychology.

After college, Jonathan's first internship was with Bennington Project Independence, an adult day program dealing with Alzheimer's issues. His second internship was at Southwestern Learning Center at Mt. Anthony. This was a hands-on education program working with teen mothers. He also did an internship as a receptionist in the Student Services Office at Southern Vermont College, and received an award for doing a great job. Jonathan`s first job was as a paraeducator at Lesben Regional School in New Hampshire, working with fourth graders. He also worked with a friend painting houses for a while, and learned many skills.

Later, Jonathan moved back to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont where he got married and had two beautiful children that he loves very much. Jonathan believes that having a disability can strengthen a relationship between two people and create a close bond. He was married for three years, but his wife had a difficult time adjusting to his disability.

Jonathan knew that his real ambition was to teach and work with young adults. In 1997, he went to work at North Country High School in Newport, Vermont. He was hired as a paraeducator working in the Special Education Department. Jonathan taught in a self-contained classroom and found himself having an easy rapport with the students. He felt close to them and shared respect and earned their trust.

Jonathan finds teaching very rewarding. He feels that having a disability can give you a better understanding of individual needs, and makes you more tolerant of the issues that are faced by students with special needs. Being different helps you create a respectful attitude and appreciate things that most people take for granted. Jonathan demonstrates a positive attitude and never singles out negative attention.

For a while, Jonathan moved on and worked for the Phoenix foundation in Huntington, Vermont. He worked at a residential facility as a counselor dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

Eventually, Jonathan returned to the Northeast Kingdom to be close to his children. He now works for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a driver and supportive employee working with older adults. He feels comfortable and appreciated. He enjoys listening and shows a deep understanding of people's cares and concerns. Jonathan won the President's Award this year from the Vermont Association for the Blind, a very high honor.

Jonathan's goals are to go back to teaching students, to develop trust with their knowledge. He feels that if they have trust, everything else will work out. He believes "GIVE A MAN A FISH HE WILL EAT FOR A DAY-TEACH HIM TO FISH HE WILL EAT FOR A LIFETIME!!!"

Jonathan has many friends that have accepted him. Sometimes friends forget that you have a disability and you have to ask for help. Time has such an impact on people with disability. You realize that mobility and independence can be gone in an instant. Jonathan's motto is "No matter what you got, strut it." Jonathan is an extremely important advocate for people with disabilities in the Northeast Kingdom. He has a charming personality and expresses challenges in a valuable way that makes people listen. Jonathan's dream is to be able to understand others completely on a compassionate level. He believes we should never quit, be strong and persistent, and reach out for support, because its OK to ask for support when needed. After all everything happens for a reason.

Note: Jonathan Provencher has recently joined the Statewide Independent Living Council as a new council member.