Loss & Sorrow Birth a Miracle & New Beginning – Luke’s Story

At Anderson College, we are constantly amazed by the courage of our students, faculty, and staff. In December 2021 we ran a “My Courageous Moment” story-gathering campaign to celebrate our students, their strength, the moments that have defined their lives and the people who have motivated them to overcome and succeed.

In sharing our stories, we realize we are not alone and are often inspired to recognize, or to find, our own extraordinary courage. We hope the following story moves you, as it has our Anderson family.

Here is Luke’s powerful, heart-warming account of the events that changed his life and the lives of those he loves.

In the early hours of October 11th, 2020, a flood of medical professionals burst into the delivery room. What had, moments earlier, been a smooth birth process, within seconds escalated without warning. The quiet of the room had been replaced by obstetricians shouting to nurses who were, in turn, shouting to the technicians setting up equipment. I quickly lost all semblance of place. I became helpless and scared. In many ways, it mirrored our year.

Everything had started out wonderfully. We had spent our honeymoon in Mexico. There, on a beach, we put the finishing touches on the plans for our soon-to-launch business. Returning home, we stepped off the plane in Toronto, and were greeted by people murmuring about something called “COVID-19”. But the weirdness we experienced at the airport was forgotten when we learned we were expecting a baby (business planning wasn’t all we did on our honeymoon).

“We were released from our jobs with the promise that they’d call us when we could come back. But, lying in the delivery room… I was very aware that I still hadn’t received that call.”

The ensuing lockdown forced our business to close before it opened, wiping out our savings with it. Days later, we were released from our jobs with the promise that they’d call us when we could come back. But, lying in the delivery room, waiting to meet my daughter, I was very aware that I still hadn’t received that call.

During the lockdown, many people grew depressed, and some did terrible things. For example, my hometown was the epicentre of the deadliest mass shooting in Canada; I read the victims list, horrified to see the names of close family friends listed amongst the dead. The shooting, along with many other problems, disillusioned me. The world seemed reprehensible. Why was no one helping anyone else amidst all this cruelty? Bringing a child into this world seemed irresponsible.

“I asked one final question, “How can I do what you do?” Their answer is why I’m here.”

Back in the delivery room, I watched as a group of strangers took control of what could have been a dire situation and turn it into a normal one. That night, as I held my daughter, I thought about the people who had helped her enter the world safely, strangers whose masked faces I never saw. I thought about my hometown and all the people who risked their lives to save others. At that moment, it dawned on me that there were helpers, people who truly cared for others, everywhere; I had just been blind to them. I began to wonder, “How could I contribute as they do? How can I make the world a better place for my daughter?” My self-reflection was interrupted by a technician coming to take a blood sample. As they worked, I hovered over their shoulder. Patiently, they explained what they were doing while tenderly handling my daughter. Once completed, I asked one final question, “How can I do what you do?” Their answer is why I’m here.

Take the “Medical Professional Career Discovery Quiz”

During the bad experiences in life, look for the helpers.
There are always helpers. You can be one too.

Luke B.

To learn more about Anderson’s Medical Laboratory Technician diploma or one of our other 30+ leading-edge programs empowering you take life to the next level of success, book a virtual appointment with our Admissions Team today!