Ride For Life: Creative caregivers deliver Paris instead of a Christmas tree

Copyright 2002 CanWest Interactive, a division of
CanWest Global Communications Corp.
All Rights Reserved
Vancouver Sun
December 31, 2002 Tuesday Final Edition
SECTION: Editorial; Pg. A9
LENGTH: 388 words
SOURCE: Vancouver Sun
BYLINE: David Calder

I am 67 and have been fighting ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) for more than four years. I am now permanently in a power wheelchair and losing control of most muscles.

Christmas morning has traditionally comprised Stollen, hot coffee and my handing out the stockings and presents from under the tree. Each person took a turn at opening a present while the rest watched. This year, that clearly was not feasible and I expected everyone to bring the presents downstairs to my handicap-equipped space.

The first clue that I was wrong was when I awakened and one of my daughters entered the room. I was pretty groggy, but I swore a French waiter in beret and thin black moustache passed my door. When I got into my wheelchair, I was greeted by four such "garcons" (two daughters, a friend and my wife).

There was a beret for me as well and I didn't shave to give the right impression.

My dining room had become Paris with an eight-foot high Eiffel Tower in place of the Christmas tree upstairs. One of my daughters had persuaded a Christmas-spirited travel agent to lend the tower to her. The walls were covered in postcards, maps, photographs, Impressionist prints and signposts.

The menu offered chocolat au pain, crepes, escargots, baguettes, fromages and cafe au lait.

What a morning! Nothing but good food (no escargots), laughs and appreciation for the well-thought-out little gifts in the stockings and the larger items, too.

Why the Paris theme? In the past, my wife and I loved to play golf and travel in France. I thought I would miss the golf most, but my golfing friends drop around for lunch regularly and the camaraderie continues. It is the travel in France that I really miss. My family, knowing that, allowed me a day in Paris once again.

I just want people who might have heard or seen the doom-and-gloom advertisements about ALS research on radio or TV to know there can be lots of fun left. It is not a nice disease and contributions to the ALS Society Research could go a long way to finding the cure and letting people like me actually visit France again.

Most importantly, I wanted to say a public thanks to Leslie, Janette, Gillian and Sharon for the great start to Christmas. I hope their thoughtfulness might inspire some other caregivers and friends.

David Calder
North Vancouver