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Dr. Brian Spare...DETERMINATION TO SPARE

Local author and scientist inspireswith his passion for writing andovercoming

Brian Spare and I first metabout 10 years ago when Iwas working in an officedown the hall from his busi-ness. In the interveningyears, we both went towork at different places butwould regularly catch up ata coffee shop.

When I asked to talk to him for thisarticle, it was natural we’d meet inthat shop.

Brian is a regular in the café, wherefolks type away on laptops or chaton phones. Some work on termpapers, others text friends, butBrian is working. He writes andedits for a living. He has alwayswanted to write a novel and knowsthat someday he will. At themoment, however, he is writing hisautobiography.

Brian’s career as a writer is a stretchfrom his academic training in sci-ence. But then again, maybe not.“It’s like a mechanic trying toexplain to me what’s wrong withmy car. The mechanic has to put

the problem in terms I understand.That’s what I enjoy about writing.It’s trying to help people to under-stand the concepts. Science is notas daunting as people make it outto be. Basic science can be easy tounderstand if the instructor or thewriter makes it accessible,” heexplains, as he sips his coffee.

Brian got interested in science as ayoungster. His dad, Peter Spare,was a chemist and mom, Kitty, wasa Registered Nurse. Both worked ina hospital setting, so science andmedicine were commonplace grow-ing up. Brian completed a Bachelorof Science in biology at Lakehead,followed by the Medical LabSciences program. That road even-

tually lead to a PhD in Health andHuman Services in 1995.

Brian’s achievements seem all themore remarkable given the daunt-ing challenges he faced growingup. Grade eight was a time of tur-moil for Brian. At the age of 13, itwas discovered that he had a braintumour. The tumour was removedwith newly developed radiationtherapy. However, radiation alsodamaged Brian’s hearing. Facialparalysis followed as an after-effectof the neurological damage causedby the tumour.

Being immersed in the medicalworld drew him into the sciences.During Grade eight, the Thunder

by Nancy Angus photography by Alan Dickson

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Bay Catholic District School Boardsent a retired teacher to tutor himat home since he couldn’t attendschool. Today, that same teachergives him advice on writing hisautobiography. “Any writer needsanother person to look at whatyou’ve written,” he says.

Maybe I’ll narrate a talking book someday. You neverknow until you try!” – Brian Spare

Brian started his new business,Tara Scientific Laboratories, in1990. I met him soon after then.He set up and ran the business fornine years and during the sametime worked on his PhD. The labwas an environmental chemistrybusiness that tested soil, water and grain.

“In my working career, TaraScientific stands out as a highlight,”Brian shares. It was a busy opera-tion. His parents, who were retiredat the time, were able to help outwith the duties, but as the biggerlabs started taking more interest inThunder Bay it became more chal-lenging to operate and compete.When his father passed away, Briandecided to close the business andmove on.

After managing a geochemical lab,he realized that he would need toretrain for a medical lab or trysomething brand new. He hadalways wanted to explore his cre-ative side and went back toConfederation College and enrolledin Architectural Technology. Near

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the time of graduation fromArchitectural Technology, Brian’shearing loss had become so pro-found, he was unable to use a tele-phone. He realized that any job thatrequired talking on the phonewould be out of reach for him.

When one door closes, anotherone opens and in Brian’s case, itwas copywriting. “I had to think.Now, what can I do? English andwords have always come easily forme. I was always more comfortablewriting than I ever was in chem-istry“. As he was making these lifedecisions, technology was fortu-nately keeping pace to meet Brian’sgrowing needs. New Bluetoothtechnology became his communi-cation lifesaver. With his Blackberryalways at his side and his hearingaids connected to wireless technol-ogy and software, Brian can now“hear” his e-mail and more easilycommunicate with others.

In Grade five, Gary Sissons, histeacher, made a lasting impressionwith Brian about the importance ofcommunication. “I remember hav-ing to prepare a speech for theclass. Mr. Sissons was a member of

Toastmasters and now all thoseyears later, I am a member too.”

Brian has plans for this stage in hiscareer. “I’ve got a couple of thingsI’d like to do. Number one is write abook and the second is to do voiceover for animation. Because of myspeech impediment I know I’llnever have a radio announcer’svoice, but the speech pathologistI’m working with now understandswhat I want to do. When I’m in asound booth, it’s almost like I don’thave a hearing problem. I’d like towrite something and then addvoice to it.”

“During World War One, radio wasnew and the CBC didn’t know whatto do, so they recorded the voicesof the soldiers talking to their fami-lies at home. That meant so muchto the people who listened, espe-cially the mothers who heard theirboys. Maybe I’ll narrate a talkingbook someday. You never knowuntil you try,” he states.

Brian is dedicated to his craft. “I’velearned that you are never too oldto try something new. Once youstart looking, you can find so manyother things you can do. Yourimagination is your limit. I work onthe autobiography every day for atleast one hour,” he says. “I likeworking in the coffee shop becauseI know all the regulars. It’s good tobe surrounded by people when Iwrite. My thoughts start here. I canget inspiration looking around andmeeting other people.“

Brian looks at this time in his life asa gift. At 52, he continues to makegood use of all parts of his brain.He continues to stand tall when hecould have easily slouched.

Brian and his family at their cottage onBass Lake in the 70s.

BRIAN’S BEST BOOKSBreakfast at the Hoito by Charlie WilkinsI enjoy the way Wilkins portrays the daily lives of theworkers at the Hoito. He does a great job of describingthe regulars at the Hoito who get their daily “prescription-strength” coffee fix.

The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be by Farley MowatA heart-warming story about a dog who was different.Mutt does all the things a dog shouldn’t do like climbinga tree and walking on the fence. This is one of myfavourites.

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen LeacockThe depictions of the townspeople are classic. The barrister stands out for me. He’s always at the ready forwork – his sleeves are rolled up and he’s ready to go at amoment’s notice. Problem is, there’s never any work for him.

The Gods of War by Conn IgguldenHistorical fiction is a favourite genre of mine. Iggulden’swriting style is similar to my own. When I read his work Ifeel like I am immersed in that period in history.

Helen of Troy by Margaret GeorgeMargaret George writes in the first-person as if Helen ofTroy was telling her story. She is able to take someonewho exists in legend and attach a personality. It takes alot of research to write historical fiction; she is one of the best.

The Treasure of Khan by Clive CusslerThis is a thriller to get lost in. Kubla Khan’s treasure is hid-den in a Hawaiian lava tube. It’s almost like a James Bondmovie with exotic settings and intriguing characters.

Harry Potter series by JK RowlingWith Harry’s upbringing he could have been bitter but hewas able to take it all in stride. People can learn fromhim. I read all seven books and over the years the char-acters became friends. I was sorry to see them go.

Leap of Faith by Queen NoorQueen Noor of Jordan describes a period of history I livedthrough. After I read this book I felt like I knew the RoyalFamily of Jordan, although there is no way I’ll ever meetthem! She describes her style as casual elegance and herpicture on the cover captures that style well.

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomThis book caught a piece of my heart. It is the simplicityof the writing. When Mitch visits with Morrie it remindedme of my talks with my dad. As Morrie was slippingaway, so was my dad.

The Story of My Life by Helen KellerHelen Keller was able to keep optimistic about her life.Too many of us become embittered and say “Why me?”She didn’t. I realized that she liked words and so do I. It’shard to imagine what it would be like in her world – totaldark and total silence.

The Not so Big House by Sarah SusankaOne of my interests is architecture and interior design.Susanka is an architect who designs homes not houses.She believes that people don’t need more space, they justhave to use the space they have more efficiently.

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. LewisThe images of Mars were so real to me that I couldn’tbelieve when I saw the photos that came back from therecent Mars expedition. They were nothing like C.S. Lewishad described. What a let down!

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I’ll certainly be in line at the booksigning when Dr. Brian Spare’sautobiography is launched. But inthe meantime, I’ll take away a les-son Brian has taught me. It’s important to look up from the com-puter every so often to make timefor a cup of tea and a chat with anold friend.

Nancy Angus is a free-lance writer and regu-lar contributor toBayview. Contact herat nangus@shaw.ca.

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