Where there is hope there is life, believes Anne Burrows

By RENATO GANDIA
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

"It's a fundamental thing. It's the power that we give ourselves to carry on and do things," she told delegates attending the third annual general meeting of Caritas Health Group June 18.

"We need hope before we need faith and charity. We can't do anything but be a drag without hope and I am determined not to be a drag."

She believes hope comes from many sources but "principally from our dear friend, the Holy Spirit, who can inspire us."

Burrows is co-chair of the council of residents at Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre (EGCCC).

"In our society today people of my age or category are generally regarded with a certain amount of pity and . . . thoughts that we don't have much to contribute. But then when they find out that we're not ready to roll over and die they're a bit surprised.

"To live in the present is to live the life that destiny brings you." - Anne Burrows

"There are others who think of us as venerable objects. But those whom we really know as friends treat us the same way as they always did."

Burrows is the right person to talk about hope. Born with a congenital glaucoma, she travelled all over seeking medical advice. One doctor told her mother it would be best to have her eyes removed so she could live her life as a blind child rather than someone who was always trying to see.

After some education in Canada, her grandmother wanted her to attend a school in England that prepared blind girls for university. "I had a great time and stayed there until the beginning of the (Second World War). Then I decided I'd like to take music."

She attended the Royal College and studied piano for four years. After she graduated, she looked for a job and couldn't find one. But through the help of a friend she finally landed a job teaching piano.

When she came back to Canada she taught piano. But she did not rest on her laurels. She earned a master's degree in music from University of Indiana.

She returned to Canada and enjoyed a 20-year career (1960-80) with CBC and wrote a column for the Edmonton Journal. In 1987, she was awarded an honourary doctorate from the University of Alberta for her work in music and for writing the book, Music Through Braille.

Amidst all of this, a foundation that helps Alberta's young musicians was started in her name. And in 1998, she was awarded the Order of Canada.

Now retired and a resident of the EGCCC, Burrows believes in living in the present.

"To live in the present is to live the life that destiny brings you."

Her attitude is that "all of us are involved in this enterprise. We should all be living life to the fullest. We should always be living so that good results will come and nurturing will come.

"Sometimes it's easier to think that other people are here to serve us, but we are here to serve as much as they are."

That is Burrows' philosophy for community living. "You try to make life easier for people around you.

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