Our history
Foundation
On March 25, 1930, the “Province of Quebec Society for Crippled Children” was granted its Provincial Charter. Founded at a time when cyclical polio (infantile paralysis) epidemics affected hundreds of children in Quebec, the objectives of the Society were defined in these terms: “To do good for the greatest possible number of crippled children in the province by locating them, and helping them to find their own way in life so that they can provide for themselves.” The administration was entrusted to an exceptional woman, Miss Marie Alida Daigle.
First Steps
 When the Society was founded, North America was going through a particularly difficult socio-economical period, leaving the parents of children with disabilities who had little means to cope with the special needs of their children. The Society’s operations started from its headquarters on Notre-Dame Street in Montreal, in October 1930. Its first mandate was colossal: to conduct a survey of children with disabilities throughout the province. In 1931, 1,251 children in the Montreal region and 356 from out-of-town areas were identified by the Society.
In 1932, the very first service of the Province of Quebec Society for Crippled Children was established: Transport Papillon. The objective of this service was to enable children with disabilities to receive the care and services they required by transporting them to hospitals and medical clinics in the region. Over the years, the service increased steadily and reached its peak in the 1980’s. For a very long time, it was one of the Society’s most important service.
A Unique Vacation Camp
 From the very beginning of the Society, Marie A. Daigle and her adopted son, Tony Shorgan, already dreamed of establishing a vacation camp for children with disabilities. The dream came true on July 5th, 1938, when the Camp for Crippled Children officially opened its doors in Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez on a 40-acre peninsula located on the shores of Lake Pierre. The Camp vocation came completely within the Society’s objectives. Not only did the children benefit from the fresh air, the sun, and numerous outdoor activities, but they had a resident doctor and nurses to provide health care.
When the Camp was founded, there was only one building. The youngsters were lodged in tents offered by the Canadian army. As the years went by, new buildings were constructed. Among the first buildingswere a medical clinic, an orthopaedic clinic, a chapel, a sports pavilion, a library, and a common room. Since it was founded, the Camp never ceased to expand and it became one of the largest specialised vacation camps in America. More than 65 years after it was founded, Camp Papillon, as it was renamed in 1979, reached a total of 91 buildings. Everything is completely adapted to enable disabled youngsters to live unforgettable moments.
Current Needs
 With the evolution of the needs of families with a disabled child across the province, the Society developed and created new services. In 1976, the Papillon Day Care was founded to meet the urgent needs of mothers with a disabled child who were entering the work force. To favour and promote the integration of children with disabilities in a non-disabled children environment, the Papillon Daycare hosted these two groups in a proportion of approximately 50% each.
In 1985, the Quebec Society for Disabled Children, as it was renamed in 1982, established Residence Papillon which offers week-end respite stays. This new resource allowed parents to send their children to the residence while benefiting from this short respite to get some rest. This service was often-requested and long-awaited by the parents and came within the Society’s objectives of helping the families of children with disabilities to care for their child at home for as long as possible instead of having to entrust the child to an institution. With the expansion of Residence Papillon over the years, it was able to host an increasing number of youngsters, gradually extending its opening periods. Presently, Residence Papillon is open all year round and its rate of occupation is close to 99%. In 1998, a new service was added: Auberge Papillon. This new resource enabled the Residence to cater to the needs of parents of multi-disabled children by welcoming them for week-end respites.
The Society of Tomorrow
 Since the very beginning of the Society, the needs of children with disabilities have changed constantly, at the same rhythm as Quebec society. Even today, the needs evolve and the challenges are enormous… The Quebec Society for Disabled Children wishes to further extend its action and increase support to thousands of children who must learn to confront the daily challenges due to their disability. Among the numerous projects being developed is the establishment of respite residences in major regions of Quebec as well as a network of early childhood stimulation centres for multi-disabled children. The first centre, Jardin des Papillons, opened its doors in the Spring of 2004 in the Montreal region. |
