DR. MARY-IRENE PARKER OPENS HER HOME

By: Susan Greschner

Dr. Mary-Irene Parker (Class of ‘83) sits on the CMCC Board of Governors. In 2020 she was recognized by the NSCC College of Chiropractors with their inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. As the third female chiropractor registered to practice in Nova Scotia, she was a groundbreaker, building a thriving practice in Amherst until she sold it in 2000 and moved to her hometown of Parrsboro where she continues to practice while enjoying life with a view of the ocean.

Dr. Parker sat down to chat with Primary Contact about her experience assisting a Ukrainian family to escape their war-torn country.

How did you decide to host a family?

My mother had been living with me for several years and she celebrated her 96th birthday around the time the war in Ukraine broke out. We talked about the impact it would have on the common person and the terror people would experience, worrying about their friends and relatives. That same month, she passed away.

As the war progressed, I thought about how I could help. As a result, I took the inheritance my mother left me and converted the hayloft of a large barn on my rural property. It wasn’t a simple process. I created an independent living area which meant it had to be up to code and inspected as any new home would be (not the same as having a family move into two or three rooms in your home which has already been through that process). In the end, just 29 feet from my own home was a safe, secure two-bedroom loft apartment with windows looking over the Bay of Fundy, something very special for folks who had never seen the sea!

How did you connect?

I had been in contact with a group of people also hoping to host a Ukrainian family. With the assistance of a minister in Springhill, I was put in contact with Vita Borovik and her 10-year-old daughter Tina, trying to escape to Canada. After a CanadaUkraine phone conversation, I learned that Vita was a teacher with a Master’s degree, something we had in common. She had experience working in a university setting, something else we had in common after my five years on staff at McGill. These would be huge assets in creating a basis of understanding and overcoming obstacles.

What sort of obstacles did you face?

War devastates everything, including finances. I live outside Parrsboro, a very small community, so raising money to pay for their flight was a challenge. I auctioned off some inheritance and personal items and with the help of my staff, donations from McGill colleagues, fellow chiropractors, and local supporters, managed to cover the ticket costs plus six dollars!

It took several days to organize flights as their travel out of the Ukraine had to be at night via bus, train, bus, train…a staggered start to a seven-day trip from Kyiv to Paris and on to Canada. They left behind a home and relatives they may never see again. They arrived in September, exhausted, but safe, carrying two small suitcases holding not much more than the credentials and papers they needed to get into Canada and a few clothes.

Their only knowledge of Canada was through books, and they arrived terrified of bears! They were constantly locking doors and windows until I assured them hordes of bears were not going to break in. They laugh about it now, but it shows how little they had learned about this place that was to become their new homeland.

How are they settling in?

Our village has been very welcoming, and our guests are very nice people. At Christmas, toys, food vouchers and clothing were dropped off at my office for them. A key to our success may be the fact that I was able to provide a separate private residence. They are not encumbered by our customs and vice versa and they have the time they need to adapt at their own speed. They are very independent people and it’s important to help them continue to be as independent as possible. Before coming to Canada, Vita had taught herself some English by reading books out loud. Her grasp of grammar is good, but she struggles with pronunciation. She is working at Tim Hortons while her paperwork is being processed and everyone loves her. She hopes to teach languages eventually. Tina is in grade five and learning French as well as English. Monday nights we go to Guides. We try to speak a bit of English and a bit of French and to learn we use repetition, doing things like crossword puzzles, playing dominoes, and cards. We share a meal once or twice a week and enjoy tasting recipes new to us both.

What would you say to others considering hosting a family from Ukraine?

For me, this has been a wonderful experience. The people of Ukraine are desperately looking for safety for themselves and their families. The bottom line is, if you want to help these people, think it through. Do it because you want to in your heart of hearts, not because you or someone thinks you should. Once someone is here, to some extent they are very dependent on you. Do your research before you decide, as there are always adjustments to be made. Nothing is perfect. The government gives $3,000 to each adult and $1,000 to each child. After that, they are on their own. Getting credentials to work here takes a long time and they will need your support. It’s a challenge not everyone may be up for.

For those seriously considering helping a family come to Canada, Dr. Parker is available to answer your questions and share more of her experiences. You may contact her through board@cmcc.ca