Jack Layton

It has been a sad week in Canada as many people mourned the death of Jack Layton (age 61). Though he may not mean much to people outside of Canada, he was regarded as one of this country's more respected (if sometimes controversial) politicians.

As leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), he was recently elected as the opposition leader against the re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives. What makes Layton's death especially hard is that cancer struck him down before he had a chance to savour his victory. He was also at the height of his popularity, as he had promised to usher in a new era of change for Canadians.

I met Layton at a Christmas concert he hosted at one of the churches in Toronto in December 2004. I remember being overwhelmed by the crowds as I looked for a place to see the show. All of a sudden, I saw Layton with his hand stretched out, along with a smile. He welcomed me, and I remember telling him that I was looking forward to the concert.

Any cynical or jaded views I may have held prior to meeting him quickly melted away, because he made such a positive impression. Even though I didn't always agree with him politically, I admired his courage, passion, strength and tenacity. The fact that he championed the causes of people with disabilities was also a plus.

When he died this past Monday (August 22), his family released a farewell letter he had drafted just two days earlier. The whole letter was moving, particularly towards the end, which reads: "Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic, and we’ll change the world."

Today I paid my respects to Layton at Toronto's City Hall, where his political career began as a city councilor back in the '80s. In the condolence book I wrote that he made politics in Canada interesting, and that he will be missed. As I looked at the casket I thanked him and flashed a peace sign. He will be given a state funeral Saturday, something that is rarely granted to an opposition leader.

Jack Layton is gone, but this valiant warrior will never be forgotten.

Sandor

Last week I had an article published in The Globe and Mail, one Canada's national newspapers, about a friend who died three months ago. His name was Sandor, and I knew him for about 30 years. We attended two schools together growing up, and also played wheelchair hockey together. We even coached a team together one season. He was very popular in the community, and had many friends. He is missed by a lot of people, including me.

Here's the article I had published in the G&M's Lives Lived section. RIP my friend.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived/sandor-william-kezes/article2121334/

Monday August 8, 2011

  Sandor William Kezes

   Husband, son, athlete, coach, disability advocate, friend. Born Aug. 27, 1973, in Toronto. Died May 2, 2011, in Toronto of an infection, aged 37.

DONALD BARRIE

August 8, 2011

Sandor Kezes absorbed and lived life, and refused to be confined to, or defined by, anything. At the age of two, he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most life-threatening muscle diseases.

This diagnosis occurred two years after the Kezes family had adopted him. Sandor was raised primarily by his mother, Marion, who encouraged him to keep physically active as long as possible.

When he was a young boy, Sandor took up skiing with the Ontario Track 3 Ski Association, using standard equipment. When his legs started weakening at 13, he became their first student to use a sit-down ski.

In addition to Track 3, Sandor competed and volunteered at Variety Village. He became one of its stars, particularly in swimming, archery, wheelchair basketball, rugby and track. He won numerous medals in these sports. Variety Village inducted him into its Wall of Fame in 1999.

Sandor's favourite sport, however, was hockey. Not only did he play for the Canadian Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association, he also coached, promoted the league and recruited players. I can say as a former player and coach that he made games challenging and fun, thanks to his insights and sense of humour. And yes, he won awards there too.

Sometimes Sandor's independence landed him in wild predicaments. One year, when co-hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, he fell out of his wheelchair backstage, bruised his face and broke his jaw. He was taken to hospital, but instead of staying in bed, he cut the wires that closed his jaw, got back in his chair and returned to the studio. When questioned about his black eyes, he casually replied that makeup would fix that.

In 1992, Sandor met Jennifer Raycraft, who was born with spina bifida. After dating on and off for years, he proposed in 2007. They wed on Sept. 18, 2010. Later that same year, on Dec. 3 (the International Day of Persons with Disabilities), the City of Toronto named Sandor an Unsung Hero for his community leadership and disability advocacy. He accepted the honour at Variety Village, in what was to be one of his last public appearances.

For those who knew Sandor, however, the awards and honours he received paled in comparison to his small acts of kindness. A hockey player named Chris Lemieux felt intimidated facing him in a tournament held in 1993. Sandor responded by giving him a new hockey stick. Chris says this act of kindness changed the way he treats other players and other people.

Sandor was a champion in sports and at life. His generosity, grit and ability to rise above obstacles are his legacy.

Donald Barrie is one of Sandor's many friends.