Students learn about people, careers, lifestyles during Living Library in Ripley

From zookeeping to beekeeping, from a fitness instructor to a cop, from a counsellor to a recovering alcoholic, the lives featured in the Living Library were certainly varied and intriguing.

The event, held Tuesday, June 6, at Ripley-Huron Community School, saw about 200 Grades 5-8 students from Ripley, Lucknow and Teeswater, open the door on 23 different "books" and discover the wild and wonderful stories behind each person, each career and each lifestyle.

This is the fifth year for the Living Library, organized by Jean Johnston of Lucknow, but the first time it has been held in Ripley. For the past four years, it was held in Lucknow.

One of the most compelling stories is that of Chris of Turnberry Township, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.

He had his first drink when he was 13 years old, on the Mother's Day weekend. He and a buddy got an older guy to get them a case of beer. They partied and drank it all, and were sick as dogs - they thought it was the beer!

Chris said he was shy and nervous growing up because his family moved around a lot and he was always the new guy at school. He got into a lot of trouble, not just with alcohol and drugs, but with weapons as well.  He was in and out of jail several times, once for stealing a car and then for hitting a cop.

One time, when he was back in jail, he was invited to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. "I didn't think I had a problem; I wasn't an alcoholic," said Chris.

Finally, at the age of 22, he got his life straightened out. He was a carpenter, framing houses, with four or five crews working for him. He was married with two children and one on the way, and they had a new house.

Then he was invited to have a drink, that old feeling of insecurity came back, and he was right back to drinking. "Within six months, my wife was gone, my business was gone, everything was gone," he said. "I even had a contractor try and help me out. He was going to give me whatever support I needed to help me and my family. But I gave every excuse in the book. I just couldn't admit I had a problem."

While back to his alcoholic and drug-addicted ways, he became involved with another woman and they had a daughter. "My life was in shambles," he said. "I left one day to go to the store and came back seven days later."

Chris said when he returned home, he thought his life was over. The woman had left and he was all alone, sitting in his house.

"I  had a pistol and I was going to end it all," he said. "Then I heard a sound, like a baby crying. I went into the bedroom and saw my daughter in her crib. My partner had left her with me. I couldn't believe it. I held her and I was bawling my eyes out. I didn't know how to stop the drugs and alcohol. So, I kept begging God to help me. I managed to get through that night and then the next day and the day after that."

After a few more run-ins with the law, including a drug bust and being sentenced to 20 years in jail, Chris finally realized he had to quit alcohol and drugs. "I was at a 12-step meeting when I heard a guy say he realized he was an alcoholic when he couldn't predict the actions of one drink. It's an obsession of the mind for someone with an addictive personality."

By May, 2004, he decided to quit and he began to believe in a higher power (which he called George of the Jungle) to help him. "When you believe in that higher power, it allows you to deal with all the fears and anxieties that are behind the need to drink."

In 2006, his eldest daughter got married but didn't want him at her wedding. Now, having been sober and drug-free for more than a decade, Chris is his grandchildren's favourite babysitter.

"That's what recovery has done for me," he said. "I wish I had asked for help when I was your age. Reach out for help; there are a lot of resources available for you."

ZOOKEEPER

Tom Geddes of the Bervie Zoological Park was a hit with students as he brought along an African Crested porcupine for display.

He and his parents, John and Alice, run the zoo, located on Highway 9, just west of Bervie. They have about 50 different animals, including tigers, bears, lions, monkeys, kangaroos, and zebras.

"My parents started the zoo 27 years ago," he said. "It began when my mom bought my dad some English fallow deer. Then they got an ostrich and several other animals. We got the first tiger 25 years ago. Our big cats have always become part of the family." This year, for Christmas, the family purchased a pair of tigers and a pair of lions.

Geddes said some of the animals are stand-offish, while others become like pets, such as the porcupine which follows him around all day like a pet dog.

Twice a year, there is an open house at the zoo, and people are allowed in for a guided tour. For more information, check the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Bervie-Zoological-Park-483709711689878/

Geddes said it's a chaotic life, running a zoo, because you can't just go away for a few days and leave it with a friend to look after.

"I was about five years old when my parents got their first tiger," he said, "so I've grown up with the zoo. Over the years, I learned a lot of skills, including working with concrete, plumbing, and construction work, which can all be used at the zoo. Fifteen years ago, I was taking a course with the idea of attending veterinarian school, but the hands-on experience is leaps and bounds ahead of schooling."

GAY COUPLE

Joe Saleiro, 25, and Ian Boak, 27, of Toronto are a gay couple who discussed what it was like growing up, and how they told their families about their sexual orientation.

Boak said his parents' reaction was supportive. "My mother told me that she loved me yesterday, she loved me today, and she would always love me. My dad told me that I make the biggest deal out of nothing. He said, 'How are we going to cut the grass if the lawn mower isn't working - tell me when you have a real problem'."

Saleiro wasn't as lucky. Both his sister and brother came out as lesbian and gay before he did, and his father had the same reaction to all three. He told them he would have nothing to do with them and they were to leave his home and never come back. Fortunately, he has a better relationship with his mother and his siblings.

Boak and Saleiro have been together six years, and admit it's easier to live as a gay couple in Toronto.

They told the students that the best thing they can do is seek help, or if they have a friend who is being bullied for his/her sexual orientation, stand up for him/her.

"Speak up and make a difference," said Saleiro. "I know I didn't, and I wish I had."