President’s Report

by John Gordon, AIA

“Everyone is born right handed, only the gifted overcome it”… a saying from a little plaque on my wife’s desk. Yes, she is gifted. As I have become. Thanks to a fall on ice and resultant severely broken RIGHT wrist. After 45 years as a practicing right-hander, becoming gifted is a challenge. The good news…just today my doctor was happy to inform me that I have nine more weeks of being gifted!

One in five people is disabled. Nearly all of us will be disabled at some point in our life—temporarily or permanently. In spite of my challenges in becoming gifted, I am thankful my disability is of the temporary variety. Not my first time, and likely not to be my last (I’m a lifelong supporter of orthopedic surgeons!). Could be worse—a lot worse.

As a result of a horrific automobile accident in 1999, my 24-year-old daughter, Jessica, is a C6/C7 quadriplegic. Paralyzed from the chest down, Jessica has use of her arms, some fine motor abilities in her right hand and none in her left. Needless to say, I am very proud to be the father of this truly special person. In fact, I admire her. She has taught me more about life than I could ever hope to teach her.

As some of you heard and saw at our March Chapter program (by the way thanks to Jessica, Denis Pratt, AIA, and Steve Dodge for their contributions), I have had the very special privilege of designing a new home for Jessica. I won’t repeat the design features of the house in this space, but I am happy to report to you, my colleagues, that Jessica’s house represents the culmination of my more than 23 years of practicing architecture. The house has provided independence, happiness and quality of life for Jessica. Knowing that I “made a difference” for her is most gratifying for this architect and father.

Granted, my circumstance is fairly unique. Nonetheless, I encourage you, as an architect, not to underestimate your potential to make a difference. As designers of the built environment, we have the ability (obligation?) to make somebody else’s life better. Think beyond “meeting the minimums.” A 1:12 ramp can be very difficult to ascend in a manual wheelchair. Descending can be a hazard as well. Work to find that design solution that allows for 1:20, or better! Jessica will thank you. Someday, you might need to get up that ramp!

On to another matter of importance, AIA Maine extends warm-hearted congratulations to Carol A. Wilson, FAIA. Yes, that is an “F” in front of the AIA! We should all be prideful that an AIA Maine architect has been granted admission to the College of Fellows. Carol’s commitment to the profession and commitment to design excellence renders the honor truly deserved. Thank you, Carol.

Well, that’s about all my over-worked left hand (and gifted right brain?) can take for now. Make a difference. If you see Carol, give her a hug!

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: virtual() in /home/aiamai/public_html/news/May2005/presidents_report.php on line 66