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Doug (or dr d as many call him), has had a life
chalked full of learning. Not so much academic although some is apparent,
most lessons came from life. The youngest child spawned from the unlikely
pairing of a machinist and a successful burlesque performer, he spent much
of his weekends as a child back stage. He recalls one of his most vivid
memories from grade five. "It was career day, and I had collected up some
of my mothers publicity photos to show the class. I stood in front of the
class and proudly boasted of my mothers show business career. I was shut
down, and sent packing to the principals office as soon as the first photo
came out. I was in deep shit, I knew that, I just didn’t understand why.
My mom came to take me home, where she explained to me fear, ignorance,
and prejudice. I learned a lot that day." Feeling unchallenged and needing
to experience life he left home and school at sixteen, hopped on a bus
and moved to the west coast. His journeys since have been numerous. Busboy,
waiter, optical lab technician, dispensing optician, sales rep, including
a number of years spent working with independent fashion designers. After
experiencing mobility problems for a number of years. He was diagnosed
with poly-inclusion body miositis, and was told he would have to resign
himself to the fact he would spend his later years wheel chair bound. This
brought him to the latest leg of his life’s journey. Back in school after
20 years, fighting to retain his mobility, he has left his doctors confused.
Still walking he is three months away from a post-graduate degree as a
Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner. Currently residing in Toronto
Canada he is considering his next step.
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