Written by Lisa Browning
In 2022, I published an anthology of “empowerment stories” titled What A Gift! Inspirational Stories of Hope After Trauma, Abuse, or Addiction. As often happens when I am doing the initial read-through/edits on these types of stories, I was struck by the power of vulnerability from one of the authors. His story was raw, and therefore incredibly impactful. I was deeply moved by his courage to be that raw, and to show such vulnerability … and through his words I almost felt like I knew him personally.
Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I received his headshot and bio, just before the book was ready to go to print. I did in fact know Derek, because he had waited on me many times at Diana Downtown. I just didn’t put two and two together, because I only knew his first name, and I didn’t know anything about his backstory.
Derek and I have had many conversations since 2022, and I have been witness to the many incredible changes he has made in his life. I am humbled by the fact that my publishing his story played a part in the transformation he has experienced. In his words:
“Only because of you, and gathering these stories of hope, are people realizing they can do it too! What an amazing gift you are allowing to be shared with those who need it so badly! You have set a spark in me that I’m ready to work on full steam ahead. Feet to the ground, and out there just to be an ear, to share my struggle with addiction, and to offer hope.”
I recently published Derek’s first children’s book, titled Miss Daisy’s Wonderful World of Adventure, and was struck by his natural talent for this type of storytelling, and as a result I came up with some questions about the different facets of his life. Following are those questions, and Derek’s responses:
How did telling your story, and having it published, empower you to take the steps you have towards helping others?
Telling my story and having it published helped me to redefine the person I have become. It led me forgive myself and others who have hurt me. It also led me on a path of empathy and support for others going through the same situations I went through. I wrote from a point of view that if I can come through addictions and self-loathing, it is possible for others. I now use what I have written to inspire others, and helping people find what they need has really been a blessing to me.
Tell us a little bit about your volunteer duties at both the Royal City Mission and the Salvation Army.
I volunteer every Thursday at the Salvation Army in Acton, which brings me into contact with people who are not only struggling financially but are also living a lonely life. I enjoy the warm embraces from members of the community who rely upon the Salvation Army’s support for survival. It has really made me appreciate just how much I have.
On Friday nights I volunteer at The Mission, preparing and serving hot meals to the most vulnerable people in the Guelph community. I get the opportunity to sit down and share stories with people who are still dealing with their own addiction issues. By sharing my own personal struggles I find people open up because they can relate, and I know it brings them hope for their own life. I love it when someone runs up to me after dinner to let me know that they haven’t done drugs in two weeks! They know that not only am I proud of them, but I am only a phone call away if they just need to talk. Not only has this given me greater purpose in my life, but it brings me comfort knowing that perhaps I can play a part in saving another person from overdosing or self-harm.
What is the most difficult thing about your volunteer tasks, and what is the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of each of these volunteer positions is realizing that there is no simple solution to helping people out. I’ve had to learn that it’s all about just being aware of others and holding onto the hope that maybe something you say or do can make a bit of a difference. There is heartache in knowing that it is difficult in many people’s situations. As someone who spent many years being centred on my own little world, I have become much more aware of others, which has resulted in my becoming more community-oriented. The biggest reward that has come out from volunteering is that I finally feel like I am giving back, after so much time ignoring the pain of others. I feel like I am now contributing to trying to make a difference for others. There is truly nothing more satisfying to hold onto!
What inspired you to take the leap from personal non-fiction to writing and publishing a children’s book?
I moved from writing personal non-fiction to children’s books as a way of finally releasing my past, but it also gave me the chance to explore the child in me again. My goal is to share some amazing new life lessons for young readers by allowing them to enjoy stories about the importance of family, caring and sharing while making new friends along the way. Since sharing my first children’s book I find more and more kids asking me questions about friendship and why is sharing so important. I find this to be a life lesson outlet minus the heaviness of adult personal non-fiction. It is sharing experiences and letting other people share theirs, on a completely different level.
How has your interaction with Miss Daisy inspired you?
My first children’s book is all about a groundhog that visited me all summer, who I named Miss Daisy. I would sit out back drinking coffee and she would come down the hill every day and sit at my feet eating carrots from my hand and just hang out while I talked and sang to her. Soon she would start bringing her babies down the hill and over time they adopted a baby bunny and they would all come down to see me, huddled in close together. Miss Daisy always seemed to appear when I needed her most. After the death of my cat, who I had for 17 years, I was missing the love we get from our furry little friends. This summer Miss Daisy took over that role. I loved her and I can tell she loved me, and it made me realize that an animal doesn’t always have to be a house pet for you to experience the bond between humans and animals. She is off to hibernate now, but I look forward to her return in the spring!
What other creative or volunteer pursuits are you involved in, and how do they help you maintain such positivity in your day-to-day life?
I love to maintain many creative outlets, whether it is collecting antiques or ancient coins, or filling every spare wall space with artwork. I have such respect for the arts; not just what is visible but what is audible as well. Once every 2 weeks I volunteer to take the seniors in my complex to help them with their grocery shopping. I love when they introduce me to the music of their generation, and I look forward to going out for lunch with them after all the shopping is done.
What advice would you offer someone with a dream they’d like to pursue, but who lacks the confidence to do so?
Stepping outside your comfort zone can be quite scary. You just have to tell yourself that if someone else can do it, all you can do is give it a try. I believe in not relying on your confidence but rather relying on your dream. Had I been left relying only on my confidence, I would never have written anything. I chose to step out and tell myself that “Yes, I can do this!” This applies to any dream that you might have. I found it helped to ignore the voice in my head saying “No you can’t,” but instead relying on what is in my heart. If you have a dream, go for it. Someday you might surprise yourself as well!
Both What A Gift! and Miss Daisy’s Wonderful World of Adventure are available at www.onethousandtrees.com/bookstore.
