2023-12-18 05:00:00
Immersed in motorsport since the age of 12, a driver from Outaouais knocked on the door of the prestigious NASCAR series while pursuing university studies in mechanical engineering and computer technology even if she had to deal with a language disorder (LDD), formerly called dysphasia.
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When she started karting for pleasure with her father, Marie-Soleil Labelle did not know that she suffered from a language disorder (LDD). She received the diagnosis in Secondary 3, which allowed her to get help. She was also diagnosed with dyslexia.
“Before the diagnosis, I didn’t have the tools,” she says. It was at the age of 14 that I got the resources to help me. It is to help people in my situation that I am spokesperson for the TDL Québec group. I want young people who have the same disorder as me to believe in themselves and their dreams. Just because you have a little difference doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish big things. »
Marie-Soleil Labelle during one of her visits to the Mont-Tremblant circuit. Photo provided by Patrick Woodbury
No need to be ashamed
“At first, I was ashamed and I didn’t want to say it,” continues the 19-year-old pilot. I integrate my disorder into my daily life every day. I understood that I had a problem that would always be there, but I didn’t want to define myself solely as a person with a language disorder. »
After discovering karting, Labelle began racing at the age of 14 and had her own car a year later.
She had a drive in the Nissan Sentra series last summer. She got hooked while watching the TV show The skid.
“Box box”, go back to the pits
Communication between the driver and the team is essential in motorsport and we had to develop a few things that took Labelle’s condition into account. TDL involves parallel language which can cause confusion in exchanges.
“At the beginning, I tried to make sentences, but we adapted by focusing on key words,” she explains. When the mechanic tells me “box box”, that means I have to go to the pits. I sometimes have syntax problems and the meaning of sentences doesn’t always work. I also have my own vocabulary on occasion. When I was younger, instead of saying turn off the lights, I said turn off the lights. »
Share your experience
“When I started the race, I didn’t want to speak on the microphone and I hid in the trailer. Now I’m practically running around giving interviews. I was super embarrassed and I didn’t talk much, but sport allowed me to unburden myself. Motorsport gave me confidence and made me grow as a person. »
With confidence, she shares her experience when an opportunity presents itself.
“I can inspire people, and that’s why I share my story. I speak to young people, but also to parents about the importance of providing good supervision to their children. Parents need to be resilient because the journey is more difficult. Having the opportunity to inspire people living with a disorder and to highlight that passions and sport can change the course of a destiny is a precious opportunity. »
A double baccalaureate
After her high school studies, Labelle skipped CEGEP to enroll at the University of Ottawa where she began a double bachelor’s degree which she will complete within three or four years.
“I realized that TDL is not serious and that others succeed. My journey is much longer than a normal student and I have to make more sacrifices, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s just a different journey. I will be super proud when I finish my studies. »
At the University of Ottawa, Labelle receives the help she needs to succeed.
“There is a person who takes my notes and I also have the right to the teacher’s notes,” she explains. It takes a long time to read and understand the questions. So I need more time. »
A father always present
If Labelle can count on help at school, she counts on a solid ally in her daily life.
“My father told me that he was always going to accompany me,” she confides. Because I can’t do everything on my own, my father is never too far away to help and support me. Motorsport is not my father’s passion. My dad’s not a tank guy, but he’s retired and he helps me. »
What is TDL
Developmental language disorder (DLD), formerly called dysphasia, is a neurological disorder. It is a disorder linked to brain development. So, it is present from birth and it is permanent. It affects the understanding and/or expression of language. TDL is expressed by attacks of nature and intensity which can vary. They have repercussions on the proper functioning of oral and most of the time written language (understanding of sentences and then texts, writing, etc.).
Sources: TDL Québec and CÉNOP
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