I am celebrating more than 50 years of being a proud Canadian citizen. Just like many immigrants, I had my share of struggles and successes.
The number-one challenge was language and my fear of not being understood or rejected by those who speak perfect English. None of that ever happened as I managed to meet the kind and patient people willing to help me and my family.
I was born into a family of four children and the only girl. At the age of five, I became aware of not being able to see objects, people, and daily life was blurred and difficult. I was a very curious child and learned to read at the age of five. There weren’t very many children’s books around, so I began reading adult books on history, politics, war and violence.
I started school at the age of seven with a teacher who wasn’t ready or willing to accommodate the child with little vision and many other challenges. Most of the time I babysat her children instead of learning like other kids.
At the same time, I was dreaming of a kinder world where kids play, laugh and learn. At age nine, I started writing poetry, mainly about life and the world I was living in. I hid my writing and my thoughts as they didn’t speak positively of the culture; I was born into it.
My knowledge about Canada was very limited and yet I still chose it over any other countries offered to me. On May 31, 1968, with a child in my arms, I boarded a plane to Canada. Our destination was Toronto, Ontario. To my surprise I didn’t have culture shock; I had a language shock. For about three months I was totally deaf and couldn’t understand one word people were saying. I was overwhelmed and frustrated.
Since I didn’t have any family or friends to lend me a hand, I relied on strangers who became my mentors, friends and family. I decided to hit the streets with my three-year-old daughter in my arms, practically begging strangers to give me a job.
After many days and lots of blisters on my feet, I found a job in a big building with lots of kids running around. It’s called day care.
Since I didn’t speak the language, babies and toddlers were assigned to me. When I think back, they were my best English teachers. They laughed with me, didn’t judge me and we were happy together.
What eased the pain of isolation was reaching out to kind people who understood my situation and were willing to help me. I also did my share of helping by volunteering with organizations that help people with disabilities. It was a perfect fit.
Education, willingness to learn the language, and being a part of Canadian society is the best way to fit in. Canadian people are well-known around the world as peaceful, helpful and tolerant.
I am celebrating my 51st year as a proud Canadian citizen and one who worked very hard to belong somewhere.
Ranka Burzan is a Powell River resident who was born in what was then Yugoslavia, where she lived until age 17. She moved to Canada at age 20 after three years in Austria.
