The Banting Legacy, by J.C. Kavanagh

Darkness Descends, 

Book 2 of the award-winning Twisted Climb series

I live in rural Ontario, Canada, near the town of Alliston (population approximately 20,000). The town is about 15 minutes from home and is my typical shopping destination. Alliston is well known for its potatoes (vying for Canada's top spot vs Prince Edward Island), and the enormous Honda production facility, which encompasses 45 acres and employs 4,000 people.  Though it has grown by 25% since the 2011 Census, the town is still small enough to maintain that 'country charm' sought after by city dwellers.

But what Alliston is most famous for is not pototatoes or Honda vehicles. Alliston is the birth-place of the renowned scientist, physician and painter, Sir Frederick Banting.

Sir Frederick Banting, 1891 - 1941

Few people know the diverse traits of the man famous for co-discovering the insulin treatment for diabetes. Born in Alliston, Ontario in 1891, Banting was the youngest of five children. He attended public school in Alliston and later attended Victoria College, part of the University of Toronto. He enrolled in the General Arts program and, believe it or not, failed in his first year. However, despite that setback, he was accepted into the university's medical program in 1912. World War I intervened and in 1915, Banting joined the medical corps of the army. As there were insufficient doctors to support the troops, Banting's class was fast-tracked and he graduated in December 2016, reporting for military duty the very next day. Despite being wounded at the Battle of Cambrai in northern France, Banting continued to provide medical assistance to comrades for the next 16 hours. A year later, in 1919, he was awarded the Military Cross for heroism.

Military Cross of Canada

Banting returned to Canada after the war, taking up orthopedic medicine and working as resident surgeon at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. He moved his practice to London, Ontario and also taught orthopedics and anthropology part-time at the University of Western Ontario. It was there that his interest in diabetes unfolded. Dr. Banting had been asked to give a lecture on the pancreas, a gland organ located between the stomach and small intestine where enzymes, or digestive juices, are secreted into the small intestine. While researching reports from other medical scientists, he read that many of his colleagues believed the disease called 'diabetes' was the result of an insufficient hormone named insulin and that this hormone was secreted by the pancreas. A theory had been proposed that insulin was instrumental in regulating the body's glucose/sugar level. The lack of insulin led to an increase of sugar in the blood and these high sugar levels were found in the patient's urine. But back in 1920, when Banting was preparing his lecture, the purpose of the hormone insulin was not confirmed. Therefore, those suffering from diabetes had no protocols to contain the disease and death was almost always inevitable. The condition was more common in children and therefore referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, indicating that the body produced little or no insulin. Banting believed that by introducing insulin into the patient, it would support the non-functioning pancreas. The problem was how to find and extract the hormone. With the support of Dr. John Macleod, professor of physiology at the University of Toronto, Banting began experimenting ways to extract insulin from the pancreas of animals. His experiments were successful and he was able to produce insulin for human use. In 1922, Banting opened a private practice in Toronto and began treating diabetic patients. According to Wikipedia, Banting's first American patient was the daughter of U.S. Secretary of State, Charles Evans Hughes.

In 1923, in recognition of their life-saving work, Banting and Macleod were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine. Banting was 32 years old and is still the youngest Nobel laureate to receive the prize in Physiology/Medicine. That same year, the government of Canada granted Banting a lifetime annuity to continue his work in the field of diabetic / insulin treatment.

Banting's artistic endeavours were also elevated during this time. He became friends with two of Canada's famous The Group of Seven artists, A.Y. Jackson and Lawren Harris. Accompanying Jackson on sketching expeditions, the two travelled to the Arctic and along the St. Lawrence River, and Banting's sketches were widely regarded as some of the best amateur art of its time.

Sir Frederick Banting (right) and Canadian artist A.Y. Jackson from The Group of Seven,
sketch on the ship S.S. Beothic along the Canadian arctic coast, 1927

A Banting canvas circa 1927 and  titled “French River,”
was painted during a sketching adventure with A.Y. Jackson in Sudbury, Ontario.
Only 200 known canvasses are in existence today.
The most expensive, “Rooftops, Quebec City,” sold for $76,050 in 2008. 

In recognition of his contribution to humanity, King George V awarded Banting a knighthood in 1934, bestowing upon him the official title, 'Sir.' 

Sir Frederick Banting continued his medical practice and research for many years, working in Toronto and London, Ontario. However, his genius was not dedicated solely to the production of insulin. In 1938, he lead a Royal Canadian Air Force team researching the physiological problems - blackouts - that pilots encountered while flying high-altitude combat aircraft. He was also instrumental in the creation of the anti-gravity suit, or 'G-suit,' designed by Wilbur Franks, a fellow medical scientist. Together, they developed the pressurized suit that prevented pilots from 'blacking out' from g-forces exerted during turning or diving. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, NASA's space suit is a refined version of Franks' G-suit.

Wilbur Frank, inventor of the anti-gravity, or G-suit

World War II was underway when Banting undertook a new project - the treatment of mustard gas burns. The British, the U.S., Soviets and Germans were stockpiling tons of the chemical, which was used with horrifying results in chemical warfare. It was said that Banting even tested the gas and proposed treatment on himself, to determine its effectiveness.

In February of 1941, Banting was travelling via airplane to England, departing from Gander, Newfoundland. He was going to meet with colleague Wilbur Franks, and conduct tests on the new 'flying suit' Franks had developed. Shortly after takeoff, the two engines failed and the plane crashed in Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland. Two of the four people on board died instantly, but Banting and the American pilot, Joseph Mackey, survived the crash. Sadly though, Banting died the next day due to his injuries. He was 49 years old. (Of note, the stunt pilot later founded his own airline, Mackey Airlines. The business ceased operations in 1981.)

The birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting in Alliston, Ontario.
The Banting homestead is also called Ballyfin, due to the Banting family's Irish roots.

Sir Frederick Banting's family farm in Alliston, Ontario was bequeathed to the Ontario Historical Society (OHS) by his late nephew, in 1998. The local government offered the OHS $1 million to purchase the land, with the intention of handing over the property and buildings to the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation. The Foundation planned to erect a Camp for Diabetic Youths. However, the OHS reneged on the deal and sold the property to a housing development company for more than $2 million. Not to be outdone, the local government designated the property under the Ontario Heritage Act, preventing commercial development on the lands. Though it was strenuously objected to by the property development company, the designation was approved by the Ontario Conservation Review board and in 2007, the property was officially designated a Heritage Site. Today, the buildings house Banting's Diabetes Management and Education Centre. If you would like more information on Sir Frederick Banting, visit www.bantinglegacy.ca

The Banting cairn is a five-ton granite ball symbolizing the impact
the discovery of insulin had on the world, and stands guard at the entrance to
the Banting homestead in Alliston, Ontario.

After all these accomplishments, it is no wonder then, that Sir Frederick Banting was voted one of the top 10 Greatest Canadians of all time in a 2004 CBC poll. His legacy thrives in the lives of many. The local high school is named after him and a good number of educational awards are bestowed in his name.

Sourced from Wikipedia, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Banting Legacy, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Madhunt.com

J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)

voted Best Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll, and

Best YA Book Finalist from The Word Guild, Canada

AND

The Twisted Climb (Book 1)

voted Best Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll

Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart

Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com

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Grandparenting – The Joys and the Pitfalls

A Visit to the Grandparents by Adolph Tidemand 1859

Everyone undergoes life-changing events. Some are happy, others sad. Becoming a grandparent is, without doubt, a uniquely exciting and enriching experience. Research suggests that grandchildren find exceptional emotional and mental benefits in their relationships with grandparents. A bond of genetically-disposed acceptance and trust is formed between the two. Kids who grow up with emotional closeness with grandparents are less likely to become depressed as adults, one study shows. This well-being extends into the teenage years.

Children find grandparents to be a major source of support during family disruptions. They are taken as role models and mentors for younger generations. Sometimes they're playmates for their grandchildren. They are important in teaching values, introducing ethnic heritage and passing on family traditions.

For grandparents, the presence of grandchildren provide tangible health and emotional benefits. Caring for little ones keep adults mentally sharp, boost social connections and stave off depression. Grandparents who babysit grandkids live longer than same age adults without child-rearing responsibilites, according to recent research. 

While becoming a grandparent bring much joy, some pitfalls may occur, especially in relations between grandparents and their adult children. Even if one has raised a dozen kids, the new parents will assume that grandparents know nothing about raising children. The rule for grandparents is not to offer guidance unless requested. Better to bite the tongue than to offer unasked-for advice.

In the excitement of becoming grandparents, some tread on the toes of the parents when it comes to rules on how to raise the child. Grandparents have to remember that the primary caretaker will always be the parents. Boundaries need to be respected.

Sometimes the birth of a grandchild can trigger old or buried emotions, relating to childhood or control issues. This can occur both with the parents and the grandparents. These will usually go away with time and goodwill on both sides.

Somewhere along the line, both have to let go of expectations. The grandparents may not have as much access to the grandchildren as they desire, and parents may not receive as much support as they want. It is best to live in the moment, to be grateful for pleasant surprises and to enjoy what fortune brings.

Mohan Ashtakala (www.mohanashtakala.com) is the author of 'The Yoga Zapper' a Fantasy and 'KarmaNation' a Literary Romance. He is published by Books We Love (www.bookswelove.com)

Christmases Past by Sheila Claydon

Click here for my books and author page

Everyone is writing about Christmas so I will too but not about this one. Instead I'm remembering Christmases past.

There was the one in Denmark where we drank Julebryg, a special Christmas beer for the festive season. It is released at exactly 8.59 pm on the first Friday of November by the 140 Tuborg Brewery and it fuels most holiday festivities for the next six weeks. And then it's gone. It's a strong, dark pilsner (5.6 percent alcohol by volume which takes the unwary foreigner by surprise)  and J-Day, as it is known, is far and away the biggest day of the year for Tuborg. Danes  pack the bars and spill into the streets where they  sing and dance and wear silly hats provided free by the brewery, all for the chance to get a first taste and welcome the start of the festive season by raising their glasses with a hearty 'Skål!'

And Skål was indeed our most used word that Christmas. Although our hosts were family friends, not all of them spoke much English, so because our Danish is very limited, everyone shouted Skål and  raised a glass whenever they ran out of words. It wasn't just beer either. There was plenty of wine later in the day,  and schnapps was always available, even at breakfast, because this was a farming family, used to coming in cold from tending the animals and drinking a warming shot of schnapps while they refuelled. The breakfast food was very different from what we were used to, too.  Curried herrings  on  dark rye bread, or thick slices of sausage and meatballs, all served as a smørrebrød (open sandwich). Then there was Christmas lunch. This was goose with creamed cabbage and potatoes followed by  risalamande, which is a rice pudding with vanilla, almonds and whipped cream served with warm cherry sauce. The risalamande contained a lucky silver charm so we all had to be very careful about what we swallowed and bit into until someone found it. Gifts were exchanged on Christmas Eve, just before a midnight service at the local Lutheran church where the priest, in his starched white ruff and 3-peaked hat was just a little scary, although not as scary as the real candles that burned all night on the real Christmas tree in a farmhouse with a thatched straw roof. I don't think my husband, who is a health and safety expert, slept a wink. It was, however, a wonderful Christmas.

Then there were the two we spent in Australia, where, after a token Christmas lunch at the request of our son who misses his English Christmases, it was beach trips and B-B-Q's all the way with huge, succulent prawns, whole salmon and thick wagu steak, washed down with some of the fine wines from Australia's famous Hunter Valley and of course the inevitable stubbie (bottle of beer) or tinny (can of beer). Australians are amongst the friendliest people in the world when they've had a drink or two so there were many parties as well, but whenever glasses were raised it was still with  a very English 'Cheers' despite the many language differences between our nations. The difference is that Australians also use 'Cheers' for a great many other things, often with the word mate added. It's used as a 'thank you', or a 'well done' or maybe just 'I heard you' or 'I agree with you'.  Of course after a week of sun, sea and surf and a lot of celebrating the climax to an Australian Christmas is always the firework display on Sydney Harbour Bridge, and we are lucky enough to have friends who live directly opposite...so what's not to like.

Our strangest Christmas by far was in China though. In a country where the 4000 year old tradition of the Chinese New Year (otherwise known as the Spring Festival) is by far the most important calendar event, as well as being the longest holiday of the year, Christmas is nevertheless celebrated by its more cosmopolitan inhabitants. While it is not a religious festival nor a public holiday many Chinese  still consider it a time for celebration when, particularly the younger generation, shop, party and feast. In the cities many of the shops are decorated and there are Christmas grottos where Shen Dan Lao Ren (Santa Claus) greets the children and hands out gifts. The food is very different of course and rarely served at home. Instead, most Chinese people who celebrate Christmas see it as a happy occasion for get-togethers of friends and relatives. Christmas parties might be  at a friend's house, but equally they might be at a McDonald's, a karaoke cafe, a restaurant, or a bar. There is a festive atmosphere, and people enjoy the decorations and the Christmas music. Having said that, with a son who craves a traditional Christmas meal if at all possible, I did receive my biggest challenge in China as you can see from the photo below! I got there though despite being used to a ready prepared turkey, and we then ate out for the rest of the holiday. These celebratory meals took place mostly at huge round tables where we were surrounded by smiling Chinese friends whose own version of Cheers is 干杯 Gānbēi, a word they used a great deal as wine and spirits flowed copiously, and we ate an amazing variety of food, none of which we could name as our Mandarin is next to non existent so we had to rely on our Chinese host to order for us.

So thanks to a globe trotting son, my husband and I can celebrate Christmas in several languages even if our only skill is to say the equivalent of Cheers as we raise a festive glass.