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The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 5, 2006 - 27 A Canadian legacy left to slip away By Stephanie Patulli, Grade 11, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary He dreamt of it as a place where Canadians could take a dive into his amazing journey that changed the lives of countless people. Yet in the spot where a museum should lie, only a run-down farmhouse is seen. The Ontario Historical Society (OHS) was supposed to be the vessel to make Dr. Frederick Banting's dream come true. The understanding between the OHS and the Banting family was that the farmhouse, which served as the birthplace for Banting, was to become a museum showcasing the work of this great Canadian and humanitarian. We have the late Dr. Banting to thank for giving hope to the millions of diabetics worldwide. Banting discovered insulin, something not nearly enough people remember as they inject themselves with this life saver, or as they watch loved ones get on with their lives. Many have family members coping with diabetes every day yet so little is being done to preserve Banting's former home. Here is a perfect example of a great Canadian who changed our world for the better, and whose legacy is being neglected, thanks to a broken promise. Banting demonstrated talent and genius, and an incredible selflessness. He sold the rights to insulin for one dollar, to ensure its accessibility to people of all walks of life. Personally, I feel strongly than money, I am asking it do all in its power to follow through on its promise. It's mind-boggling that so few people have tried to protest or intervene for this cause. Anyone and everyone affected by diabetes should get involved. According to Health Canada and the World Health Organization statistics, forty per cent of the 150 million diabetes sufferers in the world need insulin injections. Imagine the impact they could have if they came together as the voice for Banting, seeing as he is not physically present to defend himself. However, diabetes sufferers should not be the only people striving to keep Banting's memory alive. All proud Canadians must make it a point to get involved in conserving the Banting homestead, and the memory of a doctor's brilliance and giving spirit. These are the kind of people we should be proud of to have as Canadians. I am not quite sure how one can read the story of Dr. Banting and not feel and extreme sense of pride that he was a Canadian who truly made a difference. As a student, some would say that I have not had a great deal of life experiences thus far. However, I have witnessed many of my diabetic family members go through the ups and downs of this debilitating disease. There are times when, as their family member, you search your brain for something you can do to ease their suffering. I am sure that people with diabetes who need insulin take comfort knowing it is always available to them, just as their family members do. I shudder to wonder what would become of my loved ones if there were no help for them. I have Banting to thank for keeping them as healthy as they can be, and that is why saving the physical remnants of his memory is extremely vital to all Canadians. We can only accomplish such a great feat when we are united. The only thing I can do is try to create awareness about this situation, but the bottom line is that each Canadian's help is needed. If we all choose to do nothing to be the safe-keepers of the Banting home, we will just be letting one of our legacies slip away needlessly. First 30 Customers will receive a about people who commit such generous acts, mostly because of their scarcity in our world. For his everlasting accomplishments, Banting should be honoured with great respect, something which I do not feel is occurring. Most surprisingly of all to me is that the OHS initiated the attaining of the Banting home, by asking the family's last surviving relative, Edward Banting, to entrust the home to the society before he died. The OHS claimed if he were to sign the farmhouse over to its care, it would be preserved and would serve to showcase Banting's accomplishments. Regrettably, seven years have now passed since Edward's death, and the Aliston, Ontario farmhouse is neither being preserved, nor does it serve as a museum for anything other than decaying wood and hay. The OHS is considering selling the house to developers. Perhaps if enough Canadians share my view, the OHS will reconsider giving the home away, as it makes them appear to place money as its priority. If it does in fact value the home's meaning more 8'x10' CHINESE ** handmade AREA RUG (value of $699) FREE Spring Flooring Event! OVER 1 MILLION SQ. FT. IN STOCK! GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES! 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