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© MB OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA “TEACHER CHANGED THE COURSE OF A KID'S LIFE DREW EDWARDS Column Waterloo Chronicle | Thursday, November A teacher named Jamie McIntosh changed my life. It was January 1991andI was an 18-year-old high school student taking a co- op program in media stud- ies. I went to interviews in e student newspaper at the local universit A few days later, I had my meeting with Mr. McIn- tosh, the co-op teacher. All three places were willing to take me on, I just had to de- cide where I wanted to go. After giving me a day toru- minate on it, Mr. McIntosh was less than impressed When I was still waffling. McIntosh was a nice ay and one of the funniest chers I ever had, than t utter the ian afi ‘ae ocy I was displaying partic- ularly well. So he made up my mind for me. He sent me to the university newspaper, say- ing hefe felt it would provide me the most opportu- nity bist I'd probably have fun to boot. I was ticked off. The others seemed like "re- al" papers, the university one the minor leagues. I wanted to be a journali: wasn't the best place for me where the pros plied their trade? But it was done. d Mr. McIntosh was right — I loved it. Over the next five years, I went from co-op kid, to entertainment editor to editor-in-chief at that university paper, all the while developing a journalistic and manage- ment style that has proven invah i career. Those experiences started alove affair with the indus- try that continues to this day Ly. It also sparked another Kind of love affair. On my very first day of my co-op Placement, Imet a woman simply we cular in every way. I ating in her league, and we both knew it. But after years of friendship she de- cided that I had, apparent- ly, grown up enough for her liking. This year was wed- ding anniversary number 28, and we have two (most- ly) lovely kids. Talso ended up working at the daily newspaper I had been denied as a co-op student. Funnily enough, a now-retired Mr. McIntosh emailed me, asking if the guy writing dumb stuff in the paper every week was the same kid he'd taught. I ack expressing my profound appreciation for his decision and thank- ing him for setting me ona path that has brought me so much joy and happiness. I also wrote a column about it, which first ap- peared in 2008, re-telling much of the story above. He was touched. We ex- changed some emails and then lost contact. Then his wife Wendy reached out to me a couple of months ago. Mr. McIn- tosh had died during CO- VID and they were finally having his celebration of life. My column had meant so much to him, she said; would I be willing to speak at the event? was taken aback. I aunt really know McIntosh and I felt awk- ward at the idea of standing in front of a room of his closest friends and family. But then I realized: it wasn't about me. I was just a placeholder for all the students Mr. McIntosh had Me fant just ‘Mange my life, he changed countless oth- ers. That's what great teachers do. And so I went and i this story, one more tim And I ot to say a final thank you, if not to him, then to the people who loved hi him: most. My career, my riage, my family, my le it all turned on Jamie McIntosh's instinct, his ability to know me bet- ter than I knew myself at a time when I barely knew myself at all. Rest easy Mr. McIntosh. thanks. Drew Edwards can be reached at drew@drewed- wards.ca ALLEVIATING SOCIAL ISOLATION FOR SENIORS THROUGH DANCE LAUREN HARRISON Column mother, fit- mer radio host of CBC's Metro Morning), with an aim to help him better man- age his Parkinson's disease by incorporating functional mess with his exercise re- "While researching ways to provide Andy with the most effective ways to help increase his strength, flexi- bili ination and jo ness expert, dancer, author. These are just a few. of the ibe Sa- Iso happens to be the founder and executive director of a registered Canadian chari- ty called Dancing with Par- kinson's (DWP). After a successful career asa professional dancer, Sa- rah Robichaud was looking for ways to give back to the community through dance - an art form that had given her meaning connec- FA tions and a profound love Fs for movement and music. 2 In 2007, Sarah began working asa personal train- er with Andy Barrie (for- Ed of movement, Sarah discov- ered the Mark Morris Dance Group's internation- ally acclaimed Dance for PD program. To learn more about this i a grassroots movement to help pre client ane with e their fooe. “through de dance is now on the cusp of a nation- al expansion. In March 2020, when Sa- rah was forced to close the studio doors due to lock- down protocols, like many, she shifted the program on- line and began offering free, daily dance classes via Zoom. During this scary and unpredictable time of man- dated social isolation, we all global: i the program specifically de- signed to help those living with Parkinson's disease, Sarah flew to New York City to train with the Mark Mor- ris Dance Gro There, she " witnessed and was inspired by the re- marl transformation experienced by the partici- pants during these classes. Shortly thereafter, Sarah founded Dancing With Par- kinsol (DWP), and 15 years ‘later, what started as. detrimental effects of being alone. But seniors, particu- larly those living in rural settings and long-term care gage with their dance fami- We and laugh, exercise and ike connections with this inclusive community, from wherever and however they are. As some of us start to go back to a new normal, the reality is that social isola- tion will continue to be a pervasive issue for seniors, especially those with health and mobility issues. For this ason, DWP is committed to increasing access to our evidence-based program for seniors mostat risk, specifi- cally those who are margin- alized due to race, income, ability and/or other barri- ers. And although the classes i i for homes, ately affected by lockdown measures, so DWP invited all seniors - not just those living with Parkinson's - in- to the free, daily dance clas- esults have Every single day, ap- seniors tune in at 1 a.m. EST to en- people living with Parkin- son's disease, through ex- tensive evaluation, discovered that these clas- sesare beneficial for a who participate t's form of aovessible exercise provides cognitive, peblotlerdemotiocatbet efits, combating alienation and the disproportionate mental health impacts of so- ate isolati n. the colder months ahead of us, seniors and people living with Parkin- son's disease will likely con- tinue to experience chal- lenges to meet with others in person and thousands may find it difficult to leave their homes to access much- needed health and wellness resources. DWP is commit- ted to continuing to build and expand this inclusive connected, engaged and ing. If you know a person liv- ing with Parkinson's dis- ease or a senior who would benefit from a daily dose of fun, exercise and engage- ment, please visit www.dan- cingwithparkinsons.com to learn more about DWP and the free online and in-per- son programs available. Lauren Harrison is communications director for’ Dancing with Parkin- Tis a ee published lay, is a division ofthe Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants urged to bring their concems w ia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., IN M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca nn¢e Aocna ‘ational NevwetsdiaCounet editorial@waterloochronicle.ca Pcie ican waterlonchronicte @wichrot WHO WE ARE Publisher and Chief Exccutive Officer Community and Operations Dana Robbins Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira Regional Director of Media Heather Dunbar Advertising Representatives Fran Hendry, Katrina Anderson, Jan Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Cassandra Dellow, Zaid Shahabuddn, Managing Editor Robyn Wilkinson, ‘Online Editor Loraine Centen Ned Bekavac Reporter Bill Jackson Director Creative Services Paul Gostlin Waterloo Chronicle 219 Labrador Dr. Suite 203, Waterloo, On., N2K 4M8 Phone: 519-886-2830 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor Allletters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification print and/or online at waterloochronicle.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail sustomerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000. 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