Although we may blame him for all the ills of Montreal and more, Denis Coderre has managed over the last week the feat of making people talk about him and the Liberal Party of Quebec as rarely in the last year.
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Beyond the question of the renewal of the PLQ, Denis Coderre’s approach forces us to question our perception of a public figure transformed by illness.
The public eye is cruel
When we hear Denis Coderre, we can’t help but notice the consequences of the stroke he suffered almost a year ago. Even though his doctor believes that he has no after-effects, we can clearly hear his hesitations, his stuttering and his slower speech.
However, nothing in these symptoms demonstrates that his intellectual abilities are diminished. His thinking is clear, his speech is articulate, his ideas organized.
Like a person who stutters or lives with deafness, Denis Coderre expresses himself differently, but with just as much precision. He has lost none of his go-getter character and his passion for the political game.
Denis Coderre has changed, but above all, it is our view of him that has changed.
Towards more inclusive media
Beyond his potential candidacy for the leadership of the PLQ, Denis Coderre deserves a place of choice in the media universe. His experience and ideas contribute to our collective advancement.
Today, we must question the place that the media gives to people who are different, transformed or limited.
Think of Josée Boudreault, who recovered from a stroke and is continuing her career as a communicator, even if she has not picked up her microphone again. Think of Nicole Léger, who continued her career despite a tongue tumor that forced her to relearn how to speak.
These paths show us that skills and ideas go beyond mobility, speech or image challenges.
For that alone, I say “thank you, Mr. Coderre.”