Fernforest Public School - Peel District School Board - Who Is NOBODY?

Colin*, is a student with autism. He attends Fernforest Public School at Peel District School Board. For his Who Is NOBODY? Project he visited a nursing home. He had such a wonderful experience he has decided to volunteer at the nursing home once a week. Colin’s mother is thrilled to see her son so engaged with the community and feeling so good about himself for making a difference.

Nicole Vetere is Colin’s teacher. She has participated in Who Is NOBODY? for close to a decade.

Below is Nicole recounting Colin’s experience with Who Is NOBODY? in her own words.

*Colin is not this student’s real name.

One of my little guys took Nobody home over the March Break. He has autism.

Colin’s mom wrote to me in his communication book. She expressed what an amazing time her son had with NOBODY and what a memorable experience it was for the whole family.

Colin was reeling with excitement the day he came back. His experience is what I predict is the exact experience you hope for with each individual student: He took something that had piqued his interest, explored it, and realized it was a passion of his.

Colin ended up going to a senior’s/nursing home. He helped put crackers out on plates, walked with the elderly, helped a woman whose wheelchair was stuck and assisted with an elderly person who had limited English. Colin would have been the perfect addition to that environment.

Colin is so young at heart but so caring and loving. He had a bunch of pictures of the elderly people hugging him. He enjoyed it so much that he has decided to go back every Sunday after church, which his awesome mom has agreed to! Colin even had a favourite elderly woman he talked a lot about.

The Who Is NOBODY? Experience was so empowering for him. And a great opportunity to apply the curriculum to real life.

I just wanted to share this story with you and let you know how awesome it was to hear Colin share his story with me!! His mom was so grateful too.

Thank you for this one-of-a-kind program.

Many thanks to Nicole Vetere for sharing her story.

Nicole is a teacher with the Peel District School Board and the founder of New Age Teacher.