Community Stories: Meet Bruce
NHA likes to tell stories of our residents' success! However a huge part of our model is respecting the anonymity of all of our residents. In this series, we'll keep telling those stories but we will at times change names and remove details that could point to a particular individual (dependent on each person's preferences and comfort).
We hope you'll find these stories demonstrate our commitment to serving individuals and families with dignity - wherever they're at.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
First things first, I have Cerebral Palsy. I have always had it and it affects my legs. I am 68 and I was born in Medicine Hat but because of my CP I had to attend a special school in Calgary. The family I lived with on weekdays lived on 11A St., in a house that is still there. We would go to the Library when it was next to the Plaza Theatre, and would cross Kensington Rd., like it was nothing at all. Now it is scary crossing it as a grown-up! We would occasionally get supper from Chicken on the Way.
After my family moved into Mayland Heights in Calgary I went into Public School. I graduated from Crescent Heights HS and then SAIT with a Business Administration Diploma. I worked as an Accountant in Oil and Gas in the '70's and early '80's until my health situation changed and I had to stop working at paid employment. I began to volunteer for political parties and elections because I have been a political junkie for as long as I can remember. I also volunteered for various community activities including being on the Boards of NHA and HSCA. I served as Treasurer on both boards, as well as President of the NHA Board. In recent years I have dropped most of my volunteer work and I now live in an Accessible Apartment in Norfolk House after living previously for 30 years in an apartment 3 floors down.
How did you find out about Norfolk Housing and why did you choose to live here?
It was remarkably simple. I lived in an apartment in a building downtown that had been sold and the new owner increased the rents significantly. I had known Bev Longstaff since before she was an Alderman and mentioned it to her. She knew the ED of NHA (in those days it was the Hillhurst Sunnyside Non-Profit Housing Association) and made an introduction for me. I met the ED, she showed me an apartment in Gaynor House, we came back to the office and started the paperwork. I lived in Gaynor House for a year and then moved to Norfolk House.
Having lived in Hillhurst-Sunnyside from 1960 to '65, I knew the lay of the land and knew this area would work for me, given my mobility issues, because of access to amenities like Safeway, a drugstore, and the old Lido Cafe.
Has living in a diverse, inclusive community had an impact on your life and if so, would you describe it?
When I moved here in 1989 it was much more diverse and inclusive than it is now, but you could say that about Calgary and Canada in general. I have found that increasingly in the broader community, people are frustrated by and even look down upon folks like myself, whether they see me as being part of the transient population in the area or not, I’m not sure. But I do know there’s often a lot of surprise from folks when they learn I’ve lived in the area for 33 years.
What’s one thing you wish people understood about (affordable) housing?
That the biggest driver of the need for affordable housing is either physical or mental disability, and not some preconceived notion of laziness or people on welfare. And beyond that, that housing like NHA provides is not a one-size-fits-all or a short term proposition. We need governments that are willing to invest in the long-term in all types of housing and not view it strictly as a political campaign or something they can talk about once and then leave behind without following through.
What’s your superpower?
I'm not sure if I don't have a superpower because I am getting older, or I have so many superpowers I can't name just one in particular!
(Note from staff: it’s definitely the latter! ;-) )
Bruce, thank you for making your home with us! It means so much to us that you’re here.
Did you like this “interview” format for the community stories or prefer the old style of storytelling? We’d love to hear from you!