NEDI NARRATIVES: NEIGHBORHOODS | EQUITY | DIVERSITY | INCLUSION
SHINING A LIGHT ON: worcester poly tech + student jack duffy-protentis
When Jack Duffy-Protentis enrolled at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) as a Freshman 3 years ago, he was ready for big challenges—like Professor Yu Zhong’s mechanical engineering class. Ever since he was diagnosed at age 8 with Stargardt’s disease, an illness causing damage within the retina, Jack has dealt with the challenges of growing blind.
As a young child, Jack was always adept with his hands, building intricate Lego design and tinkering with small machines; yet issues with reading and sports surfaced early on: “He had the thing lined up and he had the glove up and the ball landed right next to him,’’ Jack’s dad Paul Protentis recalled as he watched his son completely miss a fly ball during a Little League game in their hometown of Easton.
Back to the future and Jack’s amazing success at WPI, where he had a 99% average in Yu Zhong’s class last year. “I’m going to prove people wrong,’’ he told Boston Globe reporter Thomas Farragher last year. “I know I can do it. I’ve become an extremely extroverted person. I go up to everybody and say, ‘Hello, I’m Jack.’
“The sky’s the limit for Jack,’’ his mother told Farragher. “He’s innovative. He’s all personality. The experience at WPI made me realize that it’s not a disability for Jack. He’s differently-abled, that’s all.’’
Kudos to WPI on an inclusive philosophy for students like Jack who are ready to embrace any challenges that come their way!
Well done Jack! We will look forward to following you!
(Photo credit: Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff)
As a young child, Jack was always adept with his hands, building intricate Lego design and tinkering with small machines; yet issues with reading and sports surfaced early on: “He had the thing lined up and he had the glove up and the ball landed right next to him,’’ Jack’s dad Paul Protentis recalled as he watched his son completely miss a fly ball during a Little League game in their hometown of Easton.
Back to the future and Jack’s amazing success at WPI, where he had a 99% average in Yu Zhong’s class last year. “I’m going to prove people wrong,’’ he told Boston Globe reporter Thomas Farragher last year. “I know I can do it. I’ve become an extremely extroverted person. I go up to everybody and say, ‘Hello, I’m Jack.’
“The sky’s the limit for Jack,’’ his mother told Farragher. “He’s innovative. He’s all personality. The experience at WPI made me realize that it’s not a disability for Jack. He’s differently-abled, that’s all.’’
Kudos to WPI on an inclusive philosophy for students like Jack who are ready to embrace any challenges that come their way!
Well done Jack! We will look forward to following you!
(Photo credit: Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff)