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Josh Gentis Hall

Josh Gentis Hall

Joe and Helyne Victor Memorial Scholarship Recipient

TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY

Josh Gentis Hall has experienced both the deep despair from being excluded, and the hope that comes from finally belonging.

“I was born with a rare brain disorder that has caused many severe disabilities,” Josh wrote in his application essay for the Founders Memorial Scholarship. “I am in a wheelchair and need help with every aspect of life. The hardest part of my disabilities is not being able to speak.”

The worst silence Josh experienced was the lack of inclusion in school growing up. He was regularly removed from his classroom and felt isolated from his peers.

“Josh is a playful, joyful person, but in middle school I could see a shift in his mood,” said his mother, Michelle, who raised Josh as a single mother. “He became angry and

frustrated and by the end of the school year was diagnosed as clinically depressed.”

Everything changed when Josh enrolled in a high school where students with disabilities were not separated from the rest of the student body. “I was treated like every other student in the school. I went to regular classes with my peers. I had an education assistant every step of the way. I began to learn to read and write, and to communicate using my tablet with a computer-generated voice. I began to make friends,” he wrote. “Doors opened for me.”

“I could see how happy Josh was to be learning and growing and becoming involved,” Michelle said. “It made me realize that we all need to belong. We need people to say, ‘I see you, and you matter.’”

Josh found another inclusive community at Trinity Western University. He became the first student to attend the school through a nonprofit initiative, that supports students with developmental disabilities.

“Professors see the change in their students when Josh is in the classroom,” Michelle said. “They notice how the students respect and treat Josh as a learner.”

“I am enrolled in the Media and Communication program and living on campus,” Josh said. “I am learning to tell my story and let the world know that in spite of serious challenges and obstacles, there is hope for a happy and purposeful life.”

Using his tablet, Josh will speak at an upcoming chapel service at Trinity Western. He will also address a conference of speech-language pathologists in British Columbia. Born without the ability to speak, he will use his voice to tell his story to hundreds.

“Because of the opportunity of inclusive postsecondary education, I have the hope of living a meaningful, adventurous life,” Josh wrote.

Josh Gentis Hall smiles next to his mother, Michelle Gentis.

I want to share hope by sharing my story and inspiring people with disabilities.

Josh Gentis Hall

2023 Founders Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Josh Gentis Hall smiles next to his mother, Michelle Gentis.

I want to share hope by sharing my story and inspiring people with disabilities.

Josh Gentis Hall

2023 Founders Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Josh Gentis Hall smiles next to his mother, Michelle Gentis.

I want to share hope by sharing my story and inspiring people with disabilities.

Josh Gentis Hall

2023 Founders Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Perhaps nothing illustrates how far Josh and Michelle have come than their success in running marathons together, with Michelle pushing Josh in a specially designed racing wheelchair. They are the first mother-son team to run a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. They hope to run the other five major world marathons in Berlin, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo.

Now more than ever, their journey is fueled by hope, which comes from a community of support.

“I have such a sense of hope and excitement now for Josh’s future,” Michelle said. “It’s an extraordinary thing to see what Josh brings out in other people and what they bring out in him.”

IBO FOUNDING FAMILY: JOE + HELYNE VICTOR

On behalf of the entire Victor family, we are proud to award this scholarship to Josh in memory of IBO Founders Joe and Helyne Victor. He has displayed the same leadership fundamentals that helped Joe and Helyne with their success in this great business. We are certain we will hear great things about Josh in the future and are very proud of him and his accomplishments.

– The Victor Family