Giving back to Guillot

Crowd packs center to help teacher

Taylor Brown was crushed when she learned the news that her former science teacher at Harry Hurst Middle School, Barry Guillot, was in pain and suffering from a major illness.

“It was so heartbreaking for me and my family, because he’s touched our lives and the lives of so many others,” said Brown, a senior at Destrehan High School. “I just felt like it was time for the community to come back together and for us to give him the love and support that he deserves.”

Brown made it happen, and the fruits of her labor were on maximum display Saturday at the Edward Dufresne Community Center in Luling as a full gymnasium of community members gathered to support the beloved educator and Wetlands Watchers founder as part of the Gathering for Guillot Showcase fundraiser.

Guillot is suffering from Guillain-Barre’ Syndrome (GBS), a neurological disorder that causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. The rare illness affects just one in 100,000 a year. There is no cure and its cause is still unknown.

He was diagnosed last May after he visited a doctor to address persisting symptoms, such as leg paralysis, fatigue, shortness of breath, a drop foot and persisting pain. Since then, he’s endured several tests, spinal taps and has undergone surgery.

But Saturday, Guillot did not wear a weary expression, rather a joyful exuberance as he enjoyed a day of events that left a smile on his face throughout.

“Right now, I feel on top of the world,” Guillot said. “To know so many people care about you … that when you’re going through a tough time, people come out to support you, it meant so much.

“When Taylor called me, it just hit me so hard that anyone would even think to do this. It’s something that I’ll never forget.”

The showcase, which Brown coordinated for her senior project, included a concert by notable fiddler and singer Amanda Shaw, a friend of Guillot’s, and performances by the Desty Darlings, the Hahnville Hi-Steppers, the Harry Hurst and Destrehan cheerleaders, the Hurst Runnerettes and the Hurst choir and band.

The event proved to be a success, raising nearly $7,000 that will go toward offsetting Guillot’s medical costs.

Brown said Guillot has always carried himself with amazing energy and has always been one to try and brighten the days of others however he could.

“When I was at Harry Hurst, every day he’d come in, make jokes and you could feel the positive attitude he had about everything,” Brown said. “I’ve always felt that Mr. Guillot was someone that everyone should aspire to be like.”

She pointed to his efforts to establish the Wetlands Watchers, which provides awareness and takes action to address coastal erosion.

“He’s inspired so many people to lend their hand to a great cause,” she said. “Everyone loves him for that. He’s helped so many kids … I think so many people love him because they see how good a person he truly is.”

During her concert, Shaw performed a song she wrote in Guillot’s honor.

“(The song) is about a person in your life who is like a holiday, that you always look forward to seeing and who you truly enjoy having in your life. And I think nobody is more like a holiday than Mr. Barry Guillot.”

One of the most touching moments of the day — and one that brought some of the students in attendance to tears — was a surprise appearance by three men who served with Guillot in the National Guard, Tim Gleason, Danny Bordelon and Kenny Chaisson. It was Guillot’s first time seeing them in 33 years.

“I keep in touch with Barry through Facebook, follow him on there, and my niece is a student of his at Harry Hurst,” Gleason said. “He’s a true inspiration. Barry was a soldier in the U.S. Army and now he changes kids’ lives.

“Everyone has heroes, like (New Orleans Saints players) Drew Brees or Alvin Kamara … but this is someone right here who you can talk to and who can inspire. He’s a hero.”

Their arrival was a last minute addition to the plans, Brown said.

“(Gleason) messaged me the day before and told me they planned on going. I asked if (Guillot) knew they were coming and he said no, so I said ok, don’t tell him,” Brown said.

Brown said she had no idea the event would take off like it did initially, noting her original plan was to base her efforts around a pep rally at Destrehan High to raise awareness.

“When I posted my flier for it, I started getting some attention from people all over … I had someone who was flying down from Maryland. I realized I needed a bigger venue, and Miss Anedra Coleman let me use the Community Center free of charge,” Brown said.

She said seeing the turnout was an emotional moment, and that the chance to speak with Guillot’s family as the event went on gave her a feeling she’ll remember forever.

Guillot’s own words to her, however, will perhaps carry the most special spot in her heart.

“He told me that he was in a tough place emotionally (when the plans for the event began) and that me reaching out to him brightened his outlook,” Brown said. “It just makes me so happy we were able to do this.”