As stakeholders in grassroots football, be it parents, coaches or administrative staff, we often experience magical moments when we’re going about our work – moments when people, children especially, offer us much-needed doses of inspiration and love. Today, and for many days, months and years to come, Jonathan Pitre, a 14-year-old boy, scratch that, a 14-year-old superhero, from Ottawa, Canada is that source of inspiration.

Being a superhero isn’t always about wearing a cape and flying around saving Gotham. Sometimes, it’s just about being brave, and doing the absolute best you can with what you’ve been given. Jonathan is one such hero who refuses to let his condition bring him down or dictate his life. Born with a skin condition known as Epidermolysis Bullosa, or just EB, Jonathan went through many years of life thinking he was alone. Until he attended an EB conference in Toronto in 2012. For the first time in his life, he met others like him, and decided that he wanted to make a change.

 

“As much as a butterfly is pretty yet gentle, we have the heart of warriors. We are very much stronger than we appear.” – Jonathan Pitre, Butterfly Ambassador, DEBRA Canada

He became a Butterfly Ambassador, and took his story to the world in 2014. This got him the chance of being a scout for a day for his favourite hockey team, the Ottawa Senators. While everyday life is a challenge, Jonathan stays positive, and lives every day for the people who love him. He remains obsessed with sport, and although he can’t play, is an avid follower of hockey. When asked about the sad reality that most people with EB, or butterfly children as they are known don’t live past 30, this is what the brave teen had to say:

“I’m here, and I’m going to go step by step, day by day. And you never know what the future holds. I may live to 100. We can’t know. But I’m not gonna stop any time soon. I’m gonna keep going.”

This is Jonathan’s story. May his life and his strength inspire all of us to be better coaches, parents, educators and people every day.