Steve Begin is back at school and speaking to the students. A place that the former Montreal Canadiens says was difficult for him growing up.

“I was tough because I was always the one in the corner. The teacher said I was less intelligent than the other one. I was slower than the other one,” Begin said.

Bégin is the spokesperson for “I love my DYS”. The campaign raises awareness of young people with learning disabilities.

“For these children, it is very difficult to go to school every day. And I have a daughter who has dyslexia, and I can tell you that every day it was a struggle to get her to school,” Begin told CTV News.

When his daughter was diagnosed about eight years ago, Begin says he didn’t even know what dyslexia was. But he realized he had the same symptoms.

“I was sitting there with her. I was like, ‘Hey, that’s me.’ Hey, it’s me. That’s who I am, that’s me,’” he said.

Begin met children from Lucien-Guilbault elementary, a private school for students with learning disabilities.

He shared his personal story and how it inspired him to pursue his dream of playing professional hockey.

Sixth-grader Victoria Pereira says listening to Begin made her “happy.”

“At least I’m not alone.” And then, the students here are also the same,” said Pereira, 11.

Begin, originally from Trois-Rivières, told the children not to give up, a personal motto he lives by.

Begin was 39 when he returned where he struggled to graduate from high school.

“When I turned 40, I took my last exam and I passed it, I received my diploma and I was very proud,” he said.

Begin says there’s nothing shameful about living with a learning disability like dyslexia.

“Even if you have a learning disability, the world is big and there is always room for you. »