Project Eye-to-Eye Participants "Broke the Silence" at Recent Sanofi-Aventis U.S. - Sponsored Program

Growing up, most people can't even imagine what it's like to be told by teachers and counselors that they won't amount to anything, that they shouldn't even consider going to college, and that they're unreliable or stupid. However, these are the very messages that the high school and college student panelists at the "Breaking the Silence: What people with learning disabilities have been waiting to tell you..." program said they’d received, and often believed, from school personnel throughout their childhoods.

That is until Project Eye-to-Eye (PETE) came into their lives! Founded in 1997, PETE's mission is to foster a coalition of mentoring programs for students with learning disabilities and to empower these individuals to celebrate-not just to deal with-their differences. The group pairs together older students with learning disabilities and younger students with learning disabilities. The older students mentor the younger ones-who learn just how well life can be lived "with it."

PETE accomplishes its mission, in great part, due to the partnerships it establishes with local communities, public and private schools, universities, and local businesses. True to the company's philanthropic commitment, Sanofi-Aventis U.S. is the first pharmaceutical company with which PETE has ever partnered. Thanks to the efforts of Community Affairs, the company is now the proud sponsor of the Jersey City PETE chapter. PETE has 26 other chapters throughout the country.

"I'm extremely proud that Sanofi-Aventis U.S has joined Project Eye-to-Eye to help give them a voice," stated Chairman Tim Rothwell in his welcoming remarks at the October 15 program, held at Sanofi-Aventis U.S. "Through our partnership, Sanofi-Aventis U.S. hopes to provide Project Eye-to-Eye with an expanded platform from which it can educate the community about the services and resources it provides. This event is just one of those opportunities."

PETE is a logical choice for a Sanofi-Aventis U.S. partner. The organization ties in perfectly with our "Mission Possible" commitment to increase awareness about the capabilities of those with disabilities. PETE exemplifies other important company themes such as the importance of mentoring, respect for individual differences and the emphasis the organization places on leadership and advocacy traits.

The October 15 program consisted of the student panelists sharing poignant accounts of how they were able to evolve from children who felt stigmatized and not as good as others to confident, productive individuals who now feel a true sense of pride in their differences-thanks to PETE. The mother of a child with a learning disability also shared her experiences about having to battle and challenge school systems entrenched in stereotypes about the capabilities of children with learning disabilities.

Also speaking were David Flink, Executive Director and Co-founder of PETE, and LeDerick Horne, PETE's Board Chair. Both recounted their own personal stories of having learning disabilities and being left to flounder in unsympathetic and/or unknowledgeable school systems-one of the primary motivators for David to co-found PETE.

And in spite of receiving the same negative childhood messages as the student panelists described, each went on to excel in his chosen field. David received Bachelor's degrees in education and psychology from Brown University and a Master's degree in Disability Studies from Columbia, while LeDerick discovered the poetic side of himself during his college years at New Jersey City University, graduating with honors. He has since published numerous poems, established his own real estate company and become a nationally recognized motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. He often integrates his poetry into his presentations and, in fact, delivered one of his powerfully inspirational poems at the conclusion of his presentation.

Other highlights of the program included an autobiographical video produced by one of the student panelists and a gallery of photos showing the importance that art plays in PETE's efforts to instill senses of pride and confidence in the children.

Both David and LeDerick serve as strong role models to the participants in PETE. The young people see the accomplishments each has achieved and now know that they don't have to believe the negative messages they may still receive from others. PETE mentors have helped them develop new levels of self-esteem and confidence to know they can succeed-and they pass on the same positive messages to their mentees.

Tim summed it up best by saying, "Differences challenge assumptions-and challenging assumptions is always a good thing!"

For more information about the work and poetry of LeDerick click here.

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