Meet The Human Books

Following cardiac surgery and a stroke, Bernie Little has found a way to live with aphasia with new found purpose and meaning. He shifted his busy work life to focus on families impacted by terror in Israel and to raise money to bring these children to Camp Timberlane in Haliburton, Ontario. The bonds he has created have shaped his story about how his stroke has changed his life in a positive way.

Linda Hall was a lawyer for 40 years, beginning at a time when few women entered the profession. Throughout her legal career and after retirement, she has been assisting refugees. Her message is – do not be defined by career. She balances family, a developing career as an artist, exercise and social interests, aging as a multi-dimensional person!

Patrick LeSage was born and raised in Tweed, Ontario. After graduating in Commerce and Law, he worked for 12 years as a Crown Attorney and then 29 years as a judge. As a judge he presided over many trials, particularly in criminal law. He also served as Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice. It took Patrick three tries until he achieved full retirement six years ago! Now, at age 86, he continues to lead a busy and immensely enjoyable life.

Tina Robeznieks, 16, came alone from the Azores without English, education or Canadian connections. She retired at age 65, as the Recreation Manager for Belmont House, having provided emotional, social and spiritual support programs for residents functioning independently to experiencing advanced dementia. Tina, 72, lives, cares for and travels with older people, engaging them in positive aging and healthy lifestyle. She walks 5-8 km daily and enjoys downhill skiing.

When Kaye Joachim was growing up Brown in Scarborough in the 1960’s and 70’s she was asked that question incessantly, from teachers, students, complete strangers.  It made her feel uncomfortable, as though she was not a “real” Canadian, but an outsider. Kaye has grown to appreciate her Sri Lankan heritage and recognize that her experience as an immigrant has shaped important parts of her life.

Come listen to Karen Weiler as she talks about how four important lessons in life guided her career in law, and are helping her to age gracefully in retirement.

• Don’t let others define who you are and what you can do;

• Use your skills and knowledge to advance a cause you feel passionately about;

• Be willing to continue to learn and;

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, accept help and help others.

Told by her granddaughter, Melissa Muller shares the story of Janet and her decision to have MAID. Sharing her life's story, the final conversations and moments with loved ones from across the world, and how a difficult moment can be seen as something beautiful.

Dr. Lauren Zeilig worked as a family physician and GP psychotherapist for almost 58 years before his retirement at the end of 2019.  The most interesting and satisfying part of his work was meeting diverse patients from all over the world.  He had respect for their humanity and they for his.  One patient that stands out is “Father Moustache”. Dr. Zeilig will share anecdotes about his relationship with this patient and the learnings they shared.  The importance of a holistic view of the persons he cared for is highlighted.

Michael Gordon’s neighborhood library propelled his career. His engineer father took him and his younger sister to it on Saturdays. On leaving he declared, "The library is the greatest invention of mankind: Within it, dwells all the world’s knowledge". A.J.Cronin’s The Citadel compelled Michael to study medicine rather than previously planned engineering. Geriatrics found in him, a most responsive recipient.

Joan York grew up during World War 11. Many changes happened in her formative years, and continue to this day. As an occupational therapist working in the community, she knows many find talking about life changes, retirement, health, or finances difficult. She believes it is important to have these discussions with family and friends, make one's wishes known, and make plans. When in crisis there will be fewer choices. Joan will also talk about her own experience in a granny scam.

Taking a calculated risk, between 2004 and 2008, Alanna Quinn worked on the development phase of a wind farm in the Andes in Ecuador. Joining a start-up at age 56 was intended to provide early participation in the new wind energy business. Our proposal received environmental impact assessment approval and strong government and local support. Securing a wind turbine manufacturer, financing, constructing and operating the Villanoco project were challenges successfully met by other parties.  

From 2010 until 2019, Alanna Quinn led a monthly book club at an Assisted Living and Long Term Care home in Toronto and set up meetings with eager residents. The book club succeeded in expanding access, mental and social engagement, and sparking new interests among the keen residents. Memory challenges were apparent but primarily overcome by the meeting's sequence.  Participation was enhanced by members' consideration and respect of others' viewpoints, limitations, and senses of humor. Alanna has seen how exposure to the arts, in small groups, can open up opportunities and curiosity for friends and family to bridge gaps in memory and cognition and enliven the spirit.

John Fraser started a life-long career in journalism as a 16-year-old summer “copy boy” at the old Toronto Telegram. It was the same year as his mother was placed in a hospital for the “mentally ill” and his father succumbed to alcoholism. Fraser went on to be an arts writer for the Globe and Mail and after that as a foreign correspondent based in China and the United Kingdom. Later he was editor of Saturday Night magazine for seven years when he was elected the 4th “Master” of Massey College, the graduate residential college of the University of Toronto. Following retirement after 20 years at Massey, he became the founding CEO of the National NewsMedia Council of Canada, the country‘s leading press and media watchdog. 

Despite early ambitions to become a great TV director and producer, Elizabeth McCallum’s career never went where she expected after ten years at the Nature of Things. “I am learning to accept that pain my whole adult life, the result of severe early onset scoliosis, cramped my style.” Though she did freelance writing when she could, looking back Elizabeth can see that her accomplishments creating social networks were perhaps as important as a more acknowledged career. Helping refugees, graduate students, connecting people, building community in church choirs and her kids' schools, are not the way to fame and fortune but maybe “I have had a richer life in the long run.”

Medy Lintunen immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 1964 to pursue a career in nursing.  She specialized as a geriatric registered nurse and worked in a variety of settings including long-term care, geriatric outpatient clinics, bedside nursing in palliative care and adult day programs.  All of her work with older adults was meaningful but the experience that changed her the most professionally and personally was caring for people at end-of-life.  Medy looks forward to sharing with you, the important lessons she learned and how she lives life now in retirement.

For 32 years as a journalist, Sue-Ann Levy has made it her mission to stand up for those without a voice: The poor, needy, the homeless, and during the pandemic, the elderly trapped in substandard long-term care homes. Her determination was driven by the obstacles and trauma she had to overcome having spent 20 years as a closeted lesbian during a time when being openly gay would have been career-limiting and as a result of two assaults, one that left her for near dead.

Storyteller Dan Yashinsky started his storytelling journey as a summer camp counsellor telling folktales around the fire.  He has since traveled the world performing, teaching, and creating storytelling communities.  He worked from 2014-2018 as the Storyteller in Residence at Baycrest, a geriatric care facility in Toronto.

Rhoda Graser fell in love with books from an early age.  When she was nearing her 12th birthday, she had an intimidating neighbor, with a library. Rhoda was friends with the neighbor’s daughter.  One day this woman sighed, turned off her stove, and came to talk to Rhoda.  She thought she was going to be told to wait outside — instead she asked Rhoda which book she would like to borrow, with the clear understanding that she was to return it after she had read it.  

This kicked off a love affair with literature, both as a reader and as a writer.  Rhoda has always enjoyed reading and has a vivid imagination.  She has been published and at age 93 continues to write short stories. 

Michelle Popelas has always believed that everyone deserves a helping hand and that true happiness lies in putting others' needs first. This rang true when her husband and father of five required extra love and support when young onset dementia struck far too early. 50-60 was the decade of her life when the bulk of the caregiving and intense living, loving, longing, and laughter happened! Michelle’s hope is that her story of his resilience and courage as he faced the many forces and setbacks before him will inspire others.