October 5, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
It was a small event, scheduled to run for just over half an hour – it ran for an hour and a half. What was billed as a citizen getting an award for volunteer work turned out to be a love story – the story of Janice Connell’s love for her husband “Mikey”.
Michael Frederick Swartz is a tall lanky man who speaks in a bit of a drawl. He is quiet by nature; tends to focus and drill down into the issues before him. He worked in the world of banks and money; his home on Lakeshore Road suggests he has done well financially.
But this love story was not about how well Michael has done; it was about the woman in his life who cares for him in a way that is seldom celebrated so publicly. It was just a simple, almost brazen declaration of love that came through every paragraph of the comments Janice made about the man who was being named the Volunteer of the Year for the Canadian Diabetes Association.
It is hard to tell how often Janice Connell had to roll her husband over when he had become unconscious: Michael is a type 1 diabetic and needs constant care and attention.
Everyone had nice things to say about Michael Swartz – that’s what these events are about. And while the event was to recognize and celebrate Michael Swartz, it was Janice who put the energy into the space and spread the feelings she has for her husband throughout the room.
There isn’t much nonsense to Janice Connell – perky, direct, sometimes too direct, considerate – the kind of person who goes out of her way to help. This reporter experienced that touch on a desolate Christmas Day.
I wasn’t able to see the look on Mike’s face as she spoke – I wondered what he was thinking as he heard her tell of the numerous times he had passed into unconsciousness and stood a better than even chance of dying were it not for his wife being there.
Janice told her audience that when the doctors tell you ‘everything is under control and you can leave the emergency room – don’t believe them.” I suspect she didn’t leave the room and there isn’t a doctor in the system that would have the courage to insist.
Swartz was described as the go to guy; the fellow who would find the nut in a problem; the kind of guy you work with – not someone you work for – who happens to have a serious Tim Hortons habit.
Mentioned as well was his ten years serving with Habitat for Humanity where he convinced the organization to build the large project on Appleby Line – even though they didn’t have the money. “This is what we are here to do” he told the board that met until well after midnight the day that decision was made.
He brought his talents to the organizational side of the 65,000 Diabetes Association volunteers – and they all loved him.
His closing remarks as he held the award he had been given was – be a volunteer – it doesn’t matter where – just be a volunteer.
Our community should be very proud of these folks, I am!
Congratulations Mike. It’s wonderful when appreciation is shown to those that volunteer. Congrats to Janice as well as this is an incredible article on you both.
Congratulations Mike! We always knew you were more than a pretty face! Thank you for all you do.
Well deserved.
Marie and Glen
Well done and well deserved, Mike.