Peter Weissman - Never Surrender

Peter Weissman. A journey marked by trauma, resilience, advocacy and two brothers. Two weeks ago, I shared the story of Eric Weissman who battled addiction to become an advocate for people experiencing homelessness. Today we celebrate his brother's inspiring journey. Peter Weissman's life turned upside down at four when his Mom left home to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, something she succeeded at. Peter's description of what he saw when his Mom died is so powerful. Peter's Russian immigrant dad went from a successful business to poverty and thought corporal punishment was how to keep his family in line. Peter quickly learned resilience, something he would need throughout his life. Peter worked his way through high school and university. His heart was set on photography, but security pointed him to accounting. After graduating, Peter achieved financial security until life took two more turns and tore away his stability. At 30, and two years of marriage, a potentially paralyzing spinal cord injury and ensuing surgery masked the onset of MS at the same time. His MS went undiagnosed for six years (and two children), costing him an early treatment that may have reduced the impact of MS on his life. Everything leading up to this gave Peter the anger and drive to refuse to be a victim. Peter chose possibility over impossibility. Peter is a loving husband and father, an Advanced Open Water Certified Scuba Diver, a brilliant nature photographer, a wheelchair athlete and one of Canada's most respected tax accountants. He credits his family and our healthcare system to allow him to chase all of these dreams. Peter's advocacy for accessibility and improved tax systems for people with disabilities mirrors Eric's advocacy for people without housing. It proves that from trauma can come triumph and that these tales of two brothers make our world a better place.