Grey-Bruce Boomers Spring 2023

OPINION
Audrey fell in love with Ted
unexpectedly while they acted in
‘Bruno and Alice: A Love Story.’
skilled in health promotion, employed by the GBHU.
This initiative was under a ‘Stay on Your Feet’ grant,
at that time organized by the Ontario Neurotrauma
Foundation, which no longer exists.
During a snowy January of 2004, five volunteers, all
women, met for the first time. We were told about
how so many seniors fell, requiring surgery to mend
broken bones. Their lives were often permanently
changed, with many required to go into a long-term
care home. The expense to the health care system
is enormous. We were cajoled and prodded into
shape. The first original plays we pulled together
were with Walkerton and Wiarton theatre groups,
“Friends Helping Friends” and “Family Helping
Family.” Our coordinator found many venues for us
to perform at, from seniors’ clubs to church groups,
to retirement homes and Royal Canadian Legions.
The plays demonstrated the dangers present in the
home and looked at what we can do physically for
ourselves, as well as creating a safe environment for
our homes, outdoors and public spaces. Each was 45
minutes in length, leaving about 15 minutes for us
to mingle with participants and take questions. We
handed out information pamphlets and resources for
the audience to take home.
I enjoyed acting with the women but left that August
and September to have a visit in England. As soon as
I got home, Marguerite told me that another troupe
was being formed to adapt the play “Bruno and
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