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Jonathan "Tyler"
Fortin was born August 22, 1974 in Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada. Tyler was born 10 weeks
premature, weighing only 2 pounds 10 ounces.
Often when Tyler
does Stand Up Comedy people question him "Are you
disabled or just acting disabled?" Yes, Tyler is
disabled..... he has Cerebral Palsy. The same
disability as Kevin Spacey's character in The Usual
Suspects. The medical definition of Cerebral Palsy
is " a disorder in which muscular control and
coordination are impaired, usually occurring before,
during or shortly after birth ". Cerebral Palsy
effects Tyler's speech as well as the muscles on the
right side of his body.
Originally
diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 15 months old, his
prognosis was dim. The doctors held little hope that
Tyler would ever walk or talk. Tyler endured nine
surgeries, while also braving many years of
physical, occupational and speech therapy. These
treatments helped reroute information from the
damaged section to an unused area of Tyler's brain .
Somewhat like flying from Vancouver to Los Angeles
most people take the fastest, smoothest, direct
route. While Tyler has to take the longer rougher
route..... Vancouver via Houston to Los Angeles.
Tyler took his first step at three years old.
Acquiring speech was a longer process taking five
years to develop. Tyler's positive attitude,
determination and zest for life have gotten him to
the same end even if it has required a little longer
time to get there.
Tyler was smitten
with performing by the tender age of four, when he
played a non speaking Superman role during a
pre-school family night. Through the persistence of
his mom, Jennifer, Tyler was one of the first
disabled students full integrated into the regular
school system, in British Columbia. Tyler appeared
in elementary school productions, as a Prince as
well as one of the Wise Men. In Canada, by the 8th
grade, all students are required to study French as
a second language. Speaking French for Tyler was out
of the question, as speaking English already held
enough challenges. Tyler was transferred into Drama,
where coincidentally, he got his first taste of
Stand-Up Comedy. During half time at a basketball
game, Tyler, now in 9th grade, performed a lip sink
to "Wild Thing" by Ton Loc. Tyler soon discovered
the way to avoid being picked on, was to be comical
and entertaining. With his impressions of Stevie
Wonder and Michael Jackson, Tyler made the difficult
appear effortless as he won the hearts of many
friends.
Theatre Terrific,
a Vancouver based Theatre Company for Disabled
actors, became part of Tyler's life during his early
teens. Theatre Terrific gave Tyler the chance to
perform on stage as an "Actor" not as just an "Actor
with a Disability". While with Theatre Terrific ,
Tyler experienced performing at local shopping
malls, the 1992 Vancouver Fringe Festival and
Theatre Terrific's School Tours. Tyler got a chance
to witness British Columbia vast size, as he
traveled through out the province with Theatre
Terrific's School Tours. Tyler performed in the High
School Tour " Good Looking Friends" as well as the
Elementary School Tour "Ring of Fire". Both these
productions were presented with the prestigious
Jessie Award, while Tyler was presented with the
realization that performing was his life !
Tyler started to
do background work in Vancouver's "Hollywood North"
Film Industry. Tyler has the gift for making the
impossible achievable , by entering the film
industry he took his first real step to attaining
his "dream of fame !". Tyler thrives on being on a
film set, taking pleasure from both the production
and the performing. Tyler has had the opportunity of
working with many greats : Jim Varney , yes,
"Ernest"; Joan Rivers, Matthew Fox and Donald
Sutherland. He has also performed with many other
very talented individuals, who's names are not yet
recognizable .
Tyler enjoys
acting, but type casting has limited the roles he
plays. The freedom to be himself, is one reason why
Tyler began Stand-Up Comedy, in May of 1997. Tyler
is introduced on stage as an actor and comedian, not
as a "Disabled Comedian". Tyler has received adverse
reactions from some audiences, where they feel he is
portraying a disabled comedian making fun of the
disabled. Tyler has the amazing ability to turn an
audience around. To make them feel totally
comfortable, as he "breaks down the stereotypes of
the disabled, by getting the audience to laugh with
him..... not at him !".
Tyler is also an
accomplished Public Speaker. Tyler is part of a
public awareness program with United Way, where he
speak to many large companies and corporations on
behalf of the Children's Centre for Ability. Tyler
derives satisfaction from being able to support the
centre where he received his childhood therapy. As
well as speaking to teens and teachers about growing
up with a
disability and the
challenges he faced
during school.
Tyler's warm
personality together with his passion for life are
an inspiration to all that meet him! |
