In 2021, The Press recounted the journey of Loïc Bydal who, suffering from a rare degenerative disease, had completed all of his secondary schooling at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. This was a first. A “great young man”, an “exceptional lesson in courage”, “source of inspiration, determination and resilience”: Loïc did not leave readers indifferent. He continues his journey to CEGEP with, always by his side, his mother.
Can an indefinite pronoun contain all the love of a mother? The way Anik Pilon uses the “we” to talk about what she and her son do on a daily basis, we have to admit that yes.
“Last fall, we had a class at 8 in the morning. I got up at 5 a.m., I arrived here at 6 a.m., because it takes me an hour to prepare Loïc. I was leaving at 7 a.m. so that we had time to go. But there, we have a great schedule! »
Suffering from Morquio syndrome, Loïc needs constant care. When he came of age, he moved from the Montreal Children’s Hospital, where he was schooled in his room, to a CHSLD in Lachine. He is now studying Computer Science, two courses per semester.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Loic Bydal
If he had to get used to living in a CHSLD, he also had to learn to go back to school.
“I had to get used to the rhythm, to moving around and waiting to be home if I want to rest. These are things I hadn’t experienced since primary school,” says Loïc.
Primary, where everything changed for the family: Loïc had to undergo a tracheostomy, became paraplegic, never came home again.
But now Loïc is approaching his twenties and is now going to CEGEP, like many others.
Is Anik Pilon there every time he has a lesson? She laughs heartily, does not answer.
“Yes”, says Loïc.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The material that Loïc uses in his lessons had to be adapted.
“I am the hands of Loïc”, explains Anik. In a recent class, she was the one who held the screwdriver to assemble and disassemble a computer. His son gave him the instructions.
If there were to be a medical emergency, that “in the worst case” Loïc’s tracheotomy became blocked, she would know what to do.
Thus, all lessons are done in pairs. “They” liked their philosophy teacher last year.
“How many times have I cried? »
Anik Pilon is also a driver. The first year, they went to CEGEP by paratransit. However, there were often delays, so much so that mother and son sometimes had to wait long hours to make the short trip between CEGEP and the CHSLD. Hours to kill, for barely twenty minutes on the road.
“How many times have I cried? asks Anik to Loïc.
“Not a lot,” replies his son.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Loïc and Anik in front of the main entrance of Cégep André-Laurendeau
Later, she will recount this time when, faced with a paratransit that did not arrive, Loïc and she returned to the Cégep café to wait. “I went to the counter and said, ‘I’m going to have a beer,’” she laughs.
Waiting is a thing of the past. Loïc now has his own adapted vehicle, paid for with money raised through a fundraiser organized to help the family when he moved to Montreal more than 10 years ago.
“Can you write it, that it was the Uniprix of Buckingham who organized it? asks Anik Pilon. Today, she says, “the outpouring of generosity from the community is an integral part of the educational path” of her son.
” I do not have backup »
Until recently, Anik Pilon was a substitute teacher in Outaouais, where the family is from. Since Loïc has been at the CHSLD, she has lived in Montreal and worked in an SAQ. In addition to her work, she accompanies her son to CEGEP four days a week.
“If my mother is sick, I don’t have backup says Loïc, not without borrowing from the language of his field of study.
When her son goes somewhere, Anik Pilon must be present, but assures us that she is not “a castrating mother”. ” He is 19 years old. I don’t manage anything, he chooses his business,” she says.
Loïc manages his affairs, but also those of others: he is treasurer of the student association of Cégep André-Laurendeau. Its president, Charles Claver, happens to pass by chance in the establishment’s parking lot.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Anik and Loïc meet Charles Claver, president of the student association, when they arrive at Cégep.
“Loïc stood for election and we met when he was elected,” says Charles. “When we talk about money, Loïc is square on it,” he laughs. The student association, says Loïc, helped him make friends. And yes, his mother must accompany him to the parties.
The CEGEP student is also a member of PolyOrbite, a technical society of Polytechnique Montréal. “We participate in national competitions on space technologies”, explains Loïc. The school of engineering is in his sights.
His mother says she cherishes the times spent with him. “I wouldn’t have wanted my mother to abandon me,” she says of her devotion.
On a beautiful May afternoon, Anik Pilon is sitting in a windowless classroom. At his side, Loïc performs a programming exercise.
Their CEGEP semester is almost over.