Calendars

Lorna Bentley Wreford, B.A. (Hons.), O.T.C.
3006 O'Hagan Drive, Mississauga, Ontario L5C 2C5
Telephone: 905-270-2618 o Fax: 905-270-1826
E-mail: lornawreford@rogers.com

The paintings within this calendar represent a challenge met in overcoming life's obstacles. They also stand for freedom, for there are no braces, crutches and wheelchairs in them. Toronto-raised Lorna Wreford was originally a student of etching. Hopefully, the watercolour drawings in this calendar are a cheerful representation of the Canadian spirit found in the land-and-lakescapes of Southern Ontario and Muskoka/Haliburton. The weathered trees and 19th century barns and houses remind us of seasons and the passage of time.

Who said miracles can't happen? Lorna is proof that it is possible for paraplegics to do three jobs at once: watercolour painting, teaching ESL, and desktop publishing. After waiting thirty-two years with an Ontario Teacher's Certificate because elevators and ramps were scarce, last year Lorna was asked to teach newcomers English as a Second Language. Ironically, the teaching salary per hour for this position at the Polish Immigrant & Community Services has been exactly the same as the salary Lorna made per week as a novice Federal Government stenographer in 1958.

Click to view larger image.

Lorna was the first paraplegic woman in Toronto allowed to adopt infants from the Metro Toronto Children's Aid Society. Lorna's two now grown children, Martha and Andrew, are supportive of their mother's efforts to maintain a busy household where people come for résumés and reports. Clients are met by Beau, the golden retriever, and a variety of friendly cats. Lorna's home office business success owes a great deal to supportive family, neighbours and friends, some of whom are second-generation customers. Desktop work has supported many projects, including Froebel School fees, figure skating lessons, piano lessons, hockey practice, as well as Scouts and Guides.

Recently, plastic braces have extended Lorna's walking career to forty years beyond the time doctors predicted that a wheelchair would be necessary. Three years ago, two orthopedic specialists dropped their clipboards in amazement when grey-haired Lorna came walking in to their offices. They asked, incredulously, "How is it you are walking?" - to which Lorna quickly replied, "I hope you'll give me at least five more years." Finally, though, the wheelchair is the much preferred means of mobility during working hours and, of course, fast red cars are still favoured.

When client numbers subside, Lorna tutors a wide variety of students from children to older adults. When one of these, a Sri Lankan teenager, arrived complaining mightily about having to do a comprehensive project on Native Peoples, Lorna announced that this was exactly the right place to come. Several lessons later, the young man went out the door piled high with double-sided posters, stacks of Internet material, flint arrowheads, a handmade bow and arrow, and a motif-laden teepee decorated with dog hair "smoke". As he left he exclaimed, "This wasn't supposed to be fun!"

Well, life with spina bifida and hydrocephalus is not supposed to be fun, either. But in the overcoming of difficulties it can be most satisfying. Tremendous effort is required to get an unwilling body ready for work each morning. Thanks go to all who encourage us. May God grant us the strength to do our best each day. Enjoy the paintings!

Inquiries concerning the purchase of the original paintings shown in this calendar and additional ones can be made by contacting the artist at 905-270-2612.