Why Craig Davidson's Precious Cargo resonated with parents and students in northern Ontario
CBC Books | CBC | Posted: March 16, 2018 12:56 PM | Last Updated: March 16, 2018
A school bus generated much discussion at an event in Thunder Bay, Ont. Craig Davidson was there to talk about Precious Cargo, a memoir capturing the year he spent driving a school bus for children with special needs. Precious Cargo is one of the five books in the running on Canada Reads 2018. It will be defended by tornado hunter Greg Johnson during the debates, which take place March 26-29, 2018.
But audiences didn't just hear Davidson's perspective. Local school bus driver Dylynn Kempton and student Kendal-Lynn Douglas were also on site to share their stories with CBC Thunder Bay's Cathy Alex.
Like 17-year-old Jake in Davidson's memoir, Douglas lives with cerebral palsy. She talked about what this means for her life as a student. She mentioned the challenges her limited mobility presents and what it takes to overcome them as she works toward a degree in library and information technology.
"My personality in general is something I wish people could see more," Douglas said.
Kempton oversees the commute of several children and takes the title of Davidson's memoir to heart. She spoke of her responsibility for the safety of children and the effect this role has had on her own parenting: "I'd like to say I'm more patient...I have more patience with not just my daughter, but with everybody."
Douglas and Kempton reinforced Precious Cargo's theme of discovering support in unexpected places. Davidson admitted he was at the nadir of his career when he took the job, but found that becoming a bus driver helped him break through a debilitating period of isolation in his life. He also told audiences that the experience helped him as a father "in a bunch of subtle ways."
Davidson fielded questions from audience members, which can be heard in the clip featured on CBC's Superior Morning.
The March 3 conversation at the Waverley Resource Library Auditorium in Thunder Bay was part of the Canada Reads regional events celebrating the shortlisted books throughout March. You can find out about Canada Reads events in your area here.