The year was 1964. Brenda Richardson was just nine years old, living on her family farm in Stroud, south of Barrie, Ontario.
What started as a week of feeling unwell, with double vision and spots, soon turned into a life-changing event. By the end of the week, while on her way to the doctor’s office, Richardson fell off the porch and lost the ability to stand. Four days later, she was paralyzed.
Admitted to Alliston Hospital and then transferred to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, her family was alarmed when they faced the possibility that Richardson may never walk again. Diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which had progressed into a severe form of polio, her prognosis was grim.
Polio, a disease that hit parts of Canada from the 1920s-1950s. The first reported case of polio in Canada, was in 1910 in Hamilton when a young girl became ill with the disease and died in hospital. It was eventually brought under control in the early 1970s, with the widespread application of the Salk vaccine and the Sabin oral vaccine.
Despite the odds, Richardson’s journey is one of remarkable courage and resilience. Her story would ultimately lead to a fulfilling career, a deep devotion to family and faith, and a lifelong commitment to giving back to her community.
Richardson was unable to get out of bed and she required constant medical attention, including twice-daily draining of fluids from her lungs. She was unable to use the bathroom independently and needed regular enemas.
She spent her birthday in the hospital and remained there through Christmas. Her family was told she may not be coming home. Richardson remembers that there were only ten other cases across Canada similar to hers.
By January, Richardson was transferred to the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre (now known as Bloorview MacMillan Centre), where she began her rehabilitation process. Seeing other children with severe disabilities, Richardson resolved to overcome her situation. Attending school during her rehabilitation, she worked hard to regain movement, with water therapy playing a key role in her recovery.
Visitation by family members was restricted to weekends only.
“The rehab started to work” Richardson remembers. “The day my grandmother came to visit, I was able to walk behind my wheelchair. “That was a very big moment.” Her resilience, combined with her strong faith, fueled her recovery.
A bright moment came when she and nine other children got the chance to sing with Bing Crosby and Juliette as part of the Easter Seal Telethon. Richardson fondly recalls “Ten of us got to sing ‘Swinging Upon a Star”!
By June, not fully recovered, Richardson was able to return home to continue her physiotherapy.
Richardson’s experience had transformed her life in ways she could never have imagined. She was a member of 4-H, showed beef cattle at the Royal Winter Fair, was a member of the homemaking club, and was involved in church activities which included singing in the choir, and as a member of the gospel group “Gift of Love”.
She said “I do think having that tragedy in a young life changed my focus, of who I am and what I wanted to achieve. I was a good student but I was quiet. Even in my yearbook one of my teachers wrote you are the quietest person in my class”.
Upon graduation Richardson enrolled in Georgian College with a focus on business. She eventually secured a position at Scotiabank. After marrying her husband Colin, and welcoming her daughter Amanda, she continued to pursue her love of music. Richardson became an accomplished vocalist and pianist, performing at over 30 weddings.
The family relocated to Southwestern Ontario to pursue an opportunity for Colin and Richardson’s banking career began to take off.
She quickly rose through the ranks eventually becoming one of only three female branch managers for the district. Richardson had proven herself in a traditionally male-dominated industry and recalls “I had to prove myself in a man’s world”. She admits “some of the female managers that came after me used to call me one of the pioneers”.
Richardson believes deeply in giving back to her community. “I felt I had a second chance at life”, she said. Her volunteer efforts include serving as Warden for the Church of the Ascension in Comber for many years, playing the church organ for over two decades and contributing to multiple boards and community organizations.
Notably, she served ten years on the board of directors for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, three of which as the Chair, the Cancer Society, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and the United Way.
Richardson was recognized for her efforts as the recipient of the 2013 Business Excellence Award for Business Professional for the Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership at Scotiabank was also remarkable. In 2013 Scotiabank donated $5,000 to the United Way of Chatham-Kent’s campaign, and in 2014 the bank pledged $40,000 to the Chatham-Kent Hospice capital campaign.
In 2018, Richardson decided to retire from banking after 42 years, and was offered the opportunity to work her final six months visiting branches, sharing her knowledge and improving efficiency. She then spent nine months enjoying a slower pace and nearly full-time grandma duties. A phone call from a former colleague, Peter, brought an offer that was both curious and enticing. The new Executive Director was looking to hire another Business Development Coordinator for Community Futures CK, a non-profit corporation supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. https://cfdcck.on.ca/
Richardson was the perfect choice.
Today, Richardson thrives in her new role. “I have gravitated to the women, especially the ones that are struggling, or need more help in the early stages of their business, I probably get the most fulfilment from helping those folks” she shared. “It’s nice to keep in touch with them, even after the loans are done, still touching base with them to see how well they have grown”.
And by the way. I was the new Executive Director. From the moment we met, she became an invaluable colleague and trusted friend. Peter’s words were right: we truly could be sisters.
Richardson’s independence has taken her across the globe in her many travels including a memorable trip to New Zealand with Amanda and granddaughter Avery. She enjoys sewing, baking and renovation projects with Amanda.
Richardson is an empathetic and motivated individual who has dedicated her life to making a positive impact in her community, with her business clients and in her spiritual life.
Did I mention she has a wicked sense of humour? Or that her Christmas baking is sought after by many, including my husband Mr. Bill?
I am grateful to call her my sister and suspect there will be many adventures in our future together!
Richardson has effortlessly found a way to unravel old myths about what men and women are supposed to do. Overcoming adversity has made her contributions all the more extraordinary!
Be bold, be authentically you!
Lovingly,
Donna
