International Day for Persons with Disabilities: This is me, B.J.

Dec. 3 is International Day for Persons with Disabilities, a day to celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities while promoting awareness, inclusion and understanding. It is an opportunity to reflect on the barriers they continue to face and honour their resilience in overcoming them.

This year, we spoke to B.J. Perry, Manager, U.S. Government and Community Relations – West at TC Energy, who shared his story of family, perseverance and giving back. 

Meet B.J.

My name is B.J., and I’ve been with TC Energy for more than four years. I started as a government affairs and state community relations advisor based in New Hampshire, but moved to Houston, TX, this past summer for my current position as Manager, U.S. Government and Community Relations – West. 

My wife, Carrie, and I have a 13-year-old son, Elliot. I love to ski and golf and as a family, we enjoy travelling together. My son is an avid reader who is fascinated with World War II history; his curiosity has taken us to places like Normandy and Pearl Harbor.

Meet Elliot

Elliot was born on July, 23, 2011, three months premature and weighing only one pound, nine ounces. He was diagnosed with a rare condition called Gordon Syndrome and Arthrogryposis, and he was also born with bilateral club feet, among other complications.

Elliot was born three months premature, weighing only one pound, nine ounces.

Since he was born, he has faced more challenges in his young life than most adults do in a lifetime – endless surgeries, procedures and the constant presence of a feeding tube. Despite the doctors giving him only an 18 per cent chance of survival, we never gave up on him. We made it through 121 hard days in the hospital by his side – which included 88 days of incubation and more than three dozen surgeries and procedures on his vital organs before he was allowed to go home. It wasn’t easy, to say the least. But we kept going thanks to the overwhelming support we received from our community in various forms – physically, spiritually, financially and emotionally.

Elliot’s journey  

Growing up, Elliot's life has been different from other children. The simplest things we often take for granted – like how to hold a fork or chew food – have been some of his biggest struggles requiring physical therapy. A feeding tube continues to help with nourishment and medication, and until a few years ago, he needed leg braces.

But Elliot has always had dreams – big dreams. He’s an old soul who has been inspired by the community support that contributed to his survival. He wants to give back to the organizations and causes that saved his life and shaped who he is today. At just four years old, Elliot became a spokesperson ambassador for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the hospital that cared for him, and testified in Congress to advocate for children with special needs. One year, he spoke at 36 events across New England in support of the Easter Seals programs he had benefited from in the past.

At 11 years old, Elliot told Carrie and me that he wanted to start his own non-profit organization. Shocked yet also not surprised, we supported his dream as he created his own business plan and eventually set up the Elliot Perry Foundation. Today, he has raised nearly $400,000 through his fundraising efforts as both a child ambassador and his foundation to support programs that help kids with disabilities, including raising funds to build New Hampshire’s first wheelchair-accessible swing for a playground. A few years ago, Elliot’s story and his campaign to build playgrounds were featured on The Ellen Show – where Ellen recognized his efforts and awarded him a donation, ultimately triggering a flood of community donations that allowed him to reach his goal.

And he hasn’t stopped there. Elliot has plans to continue building all-inclusive playgrounds both in New Hampshire and now, Texas – and really, wherever people want them. Through his fascination for all-things World War II, he also began a program in New Hampshire called Victory Gardens, which grow vegetables for low-income communities and veterans. His heart for veterans also shines through the foundation’s annual Operation: Stocking Stuffer initiative, where he collects items and donations for low-income veterans and veterans experiencing homelessness.

An impactful life

In the future, Elliot aspires to attend Beacon College in Florida, and eventually work for the Walt Disney Company and assist families with children with special needs in their trip planning while continuing to build his foundation. 

When people ask me who my role model is, I always say, “My son!” Elliot’s odds were against him from the start, and I believe in celebrating every day that he’s here as well as his many accomplishments and successes. I am so blessed to have a child who has helped me change my own course of life to become a person who believes in the power of giving back to the community.

“I have the greatest title that anybody can ever have, and that’s being a parent.” – B.J. Perry

International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3 holds special significance for us as a family. It's a day when we pause to recognize the struggles and triumphs of individuals with disabilities. It's a day that reminds us to celebrate people like Elliot for their resilience, accomplishments and ability to overcome obstacles. We’re also grateful that TC Energy has given us a voice to amplify Elliot’s foundation, and we are truly fortunate for the support from the match dollars we receive.

Through my son, I've learned that our greatest challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and positive change. As a family, we've learned that Elliot's disability doesn't define him: his courage, resilience and determination do. And that little kids can make a huge difference.

You might also be interested in

• Elliot Perry Foundation
• Employee Inclusion Networks