John Lewis

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John L. Lewis - Director

Accountant by trade: Studied the R.I.A. course (now the C.M.A.) while working at an oil company in Calgary. Special training included: Accounts Payables and Receivables; Budgets and Forecasting; Joint Venture accounting; dealing with auditors (both internal and external); systems – including information flow and creating forms for accounting purposes. In private practice I specialized in re-creating company’s books and records and creating computerized accounting systems for the client. I put this training to use as a Tax & Financial Planner for 15 years before this chronic disease finally escalated and I was forced to sell my business and go on disability.

Community involvement: Spent most of my working life volunteering with Service clubs, United Way, Chambers of Commerce, my children’s schools and all the organizations my children were involved in. Held many chairs from a Director to Treasurer, Secretary and President (and even calling bingo). In every organization I was always involved in fundraising, financial reporting & cash management, advertising, and promoting their profile in the community.

Scleroderma for 30 years: I endure Raynaud's; dealing with open ulcers, dry sore spots and calcinosis. I've had four partial finger amputations, four calcium deposits removed and my fingers keep shrinking. I have problems eating because of small mouth and esophageal restrictions along with intestinal troubles due to lack of absorption and motility. I also have some lung deterioration with pulmonary fibrosis. I have lost the padding on the bottom of my feet, so it is becoming very difficult getting around. I have been lucky to get hyperbaric sessions in 2006 & 2007 (before & after finger operations) at the Vancouver General Hospital, under the watchful eye of doctors and nurses. And, I have those pesky red spots . . . Telangiectasia on my face and over my body.

Scleroderma Association of BC: I was sparingly involved with the newly formed association soon after they started. However, raising a young family and building a business, I wasn't able to get immersed in the fledgling association. When my disease escalated in 2000 I was so thankful to the Association for their support. I finally started to go to more meetings and became an active participant in the very successful Donna Gervais’ support group in south Surrey. I served as a director on the Scleroderma Association of BC for a couple of years. I have been my own advocate for the last several years and raising funds from service clubs. As a director of the Scleroderma Society of Canada I will keep trying to raise our profile (and money) in the communities across Canada.