What keeps you inspired to continue working here?

The families and the clients I interact with every day. They’ve inspired and changed me in a unique way. When you constantly interact with people, their stories definitely shape you and change your life.

I remember the wonderful times on Fridays. Many people from the community would always come for fish and chips. So many would interact with me and they couldn’t wait for that Friday to get out and come and interact with us. Their stories were always interesting. They always filled me with gratitude, and compassion, always living in a state of gratitude. Holland Bloorview makes you feel like that.

But one thing I didn’t like those days is that people were allowed to smoke inside. I hated it. I dreaded it. I just remember at the end of the evenings before we would close, just going around cleaning all the tables, the ashtrays and all the butts. I hated the smell of cigarettes. Thank God smoking inside is no more!

What else keeps you going and wanting to continue doing your job?

It’s just the people. I’m interested in people. I see kids come in, and I see their transition after therapy. I see their parents so happy, they tell me their stories. Those amazing stories inspire me.

Growing up in Barbados I saw kids that had a disability being always hidden away by their parents. For whatever reason, parents were ashamed of them. I remember as a kid sometimes trying to get a glimpse of what they looked like. But here in Canada, I don’t see that. Here at Holland Bloorview, when families come here they don’t have to hide their kids. They come here to seek help. And they get the help that they need. That’s quite a big change from what I saw growing up. Just seeing their lives being transformed, and the parents’ happiness, is what keeps me inspired to continue to work here.

Any special memories you’d like to share?

Yes, I saw Princess Diana when she came to visit at the old building (Hugh Macmillan), I saw her in person. She was just a couple feet away from me and she was speaking to the kids. She looked very gentle, very calm, she looked very humble. It was an amazing moment, coming too close to royalty.

Is there any other memorable thing that you remember?

Yes, we had other celebrities come visit. I saw Robbie Alomar, a blue jay. He was just starting out with Blue Jays. So you can imagine, he was very young and very, very striking. So it’s been great to see all these celebrities coming to support our work.

As we celebrate 125 years, what are your hopes and aspirations? What do you want to see happening here at Holland Bloorview?

I would really want to see more people who look like me here at Holland Bloorview. Also, I would like to see our culture, our identity, the history of black people being recognised and celebrated by the organization.

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