With the holiday season approaching, thoughts of giving abound. Who puts us in the spirit of Christmas? Dr. Richard Denney and his annual Toys for Tots toy drive. Now in its 12th year, he once again shows Calgarians the meaning of giving. From his own home he began this incredible fundraiser that has grown to be so popular that it happens yearly at Money Pennies.
As I sit down face to face with the good doctor at Money Pennies no less, my interest is about the man behind the mission.
LE: Everyone calls you Dr. Denney, Doc and even Doctor Dick! What is it you are a doctor of?
DD: At the University of Ontario I received my Bachelor of Science and my Doctor of Dental Surgery and graduated dental school in 1978. I set up my own practice in Barrie, Ontario where I was born, sold my practice after two and a half years and went to Europe for a year and a half.
LE: Wait! What do you mean, you sold your practice, sold everything and went abroad?
DD: I was tied up in it and I was coming out as a gay man.
LE: So what did you do?
DD: I worked as a tour guide with Kon Tiki Travel and was licensed for 20 countries, for a little over a year. I had a ball!
LE: What are some of your favorite memories?
DD: The people I met! Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, people I still keep in contact with.
LE: Speaking of Australia, now that you’re ‘out’, you must have experienced the world renouned Gay Pride Parade in Sydney.
DD: Yes I did. In fact, I walked in it as “Mr. RCMP”. The person I walked with was Miss RCMP and I walked in fishnets and red stilettos parading for over half a million people.
LE: So is it true, The Mounties always get their man?
DD: Always, I fell in lust a few times.
LE: Did you participate in any other Gay Parades?
DD: Yes. Toronto’s Pride in 1988, I rollerskated dressed as Carmen Miranda.
LE: So, you got tired of being a Kon Tiki tour guide and then what?
DD: I went back to Ontario and worked part time in dentistry for six months of the year and was able to travel for the other six months. I’ve been to every continent; I’ve traveled the world. I attended conventions from Japan, Egypt, Lima and then would travel on my own or with a colleague.
LE: Give me some highlights.
DD: Kenya was amazing. I did a photographic safari. I’ve got incredible pictures of the most amazing animals, Mt. Kilamonjaro, herds of elephants….
LE: Lions and tigers and elephants Oh My! When did you come back to Canada?
DD: I came back the year of my accident in 1991.
LE: If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?
DD: I was hit by a drunk driver in San Francisco on Castro Street and paralyzed from the waist down, two broken vertebrae, massive head injuries and was in the hospital for six months. I was in a wheelchair for the last part of that. I was told I was never going to walk again. I told the doctor “I AM going to walk!” I started with fore armed crutches and now I just use my cane.
LE: OK, so how did you end up in Calgary?
DD: I came for the Rodeo.
LE: You came for the Rodeo and never left? (haha) You should be the poster boy for ARGRA.
DD: Yes, I came for the Rodeo in 1994. I ended up staying after helping renovate David Freeman and Kevin’s lower suite. I decided to move into it. I went back to Vancouver and packed up. Everyone said “are you insane, you love Vancouver.” Yes, but, I don’t like the rain. I arrived here July 24, 1994 and I’ve lived here ever since.
LE: Now that you’ve seen the world and what a great compliment for Calgary that you live here, tell me where are you going for your next holiday?
DD: Either Puerto Vallarta or Palm Springs for a month.…to see Victoria Falls would complete my world vision.
LE: How were you able to get your mind set around your physical disability?
DD: I truly believe in the power of a positive mind. And I think that my inner strength gives me the power to go on and do things I choose to do with my life. That includes all the realms of different things that I believe that people should do to be good people in this world. Loving, giving, accepting and taking care of one another.
LE: What are your next steps in life?
DD: My next steps in my life are taking care of my health, and still being very much involved in my community. Fundraising is very important to me and now at 55, I’m going to do what I want to do in my life. I have partied on every continent. My parents gave me a zest for life. Everyday is a good day! This is my time!!
LE: Dr. Denney, you are an inspiration. And like so many others I look forward to seeing you again December 9th at Toys for Tots. Thank you Father Christmas.
