Ten-year-old Wesley Konopasek is a fine example of what it means to be part of the scouting movement - perseverance, dedication, fortitude and helping others.
Wesley was granted the Award of Fortitude at a special ceremony in Sechelt Monday night. The award comes courtesy of Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada and chief scout of Canada. Wesley, a Cub with the 2nd Sechelt Cub Pack, has a serious medical condition that saps his energy and requires regular medications. He has already been hospitalized several times as a result and will require more hospital visits in the future. In spite of that, all he really wants is to be a normal boy, enjoying life, including his scouting.
The Award for Fortitude is open to youth and adult members of Scouts Canada who, despite physical or mental impediments to their involvement, have made a significant contribution to the scouting movement.
Wesley has been a member of scouting for five years as a Beaver and Cub, all with the 2nd Sechelt group. During that time, his leaders have noticed that, in spite of his condition, he is a very co-operative and responsible young person.
"In the time I have known Wesley, Scouting has always been very important to him, and he has given it everything he has," said Elliott Trueman, who, along with his wife Katharine Trueman, made the presentation to Wesley Monday night.
At Monday's ceremony, Wesley received a letter from the chief commissioner of Scouts Canada advising him of the award and a cloth emblem that he will wear on his Cub uniform. The official presentation of the medal and parchment for Wesley will take place at the annual youth awards ceremony of the Pacific Coast Council of Scouts Canada, to be held in Burnaby in June.
