Bennett Solway
Walking down a flight of stairs. Buttoning a shirt. Driving a car. These are activities many of us take for granted, but for Bennett Solway, these seemingly routine activities are challenges. Eight years ago, Solway was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder affecting about 100,000 Canadians. The disease leads to muscle rigidity, tremors and slowness of movement.
Solway, a real estate agent with Royal LePage Johnston & Daniel Division in Toronto, receives some daily personal assistance at home, but he manages to continue to work in the real estate business, where he has honed his skills since leaving the public relations field in the 1980s.
Johnston & Daniel teams Solway up with other agents to work on listings and offers. “When I can’t get up the stairs of a certain property, another agent will go in and have a look and then we work on the listing together,” says Solway. “I don’t get into the office every day, but when I do, I really enjoy the interaction and kibitzing with all the people I know so well. The nice thing is the company has told me I have an office here as long as I want it.”
“One of the things that differentiate Johnston & Daniel is our supporting, nurturing culture, in spite of operating in the highly competitive Toronto environment,” says Don Kottick, broker, vice-president and division manager.
“When you have an individual such as Bennett, he exemplifies that culture for us and helps to enrich us all by his spirit and determination.”
When asked about his advice to others who may be facing similar challenges, Solway advises to not let anything stop you. “Don’t be afraid. You may try and not succeed, but you will learn something along the way,” he says. “You’ll also be amazed at how helpful people are. Never in a million years would I have imaged such generosity in the world.”
In addition to plying his real estate trade, Solway is a long-time volunteer. He volunteers for the Parkinson’s Society Tulip campaign each April and will be helping out with the upcoming Parkinson’s SuperWalk, taking place nationally on Sept 11-12 and 18-19. He is also a past Big Brother and a Big Brother of the Year recipient, and has volunteered at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care.
Solway balances his real estate work and volunteering with a love of the theatre. He looks forward to a variety of productions at the Stratford Theatre this season, including the opportunity to see Christopher Plummer in The Tempest.
This story was supplied to REM by Royal LePage .
