Lesley Megarry and her brother Johnny have lived in Burlington for more than 60 years; she was his advocate for 35 years of his life. Johnny passed away in the fall of 2025. Lesley continues her advocacy for developmental disability in Johnny’s honour. She is the author of “Let’s Be Friends Who Haven’t Met Yet” and “Let Me Introduce You to My Brother.” Lesley is trying to increase awareness of people who need help in creating their own life. By increasing awareness, the hope is to encourage more inclusivity for those who are developmentally disabled.
I have been asked many times, “What is wrong with your brother”? My brother, Johnny, was called developmentally disabled most of his life, although he was never formally diagnosed. He was called: intellectually handicapped, autistic, different, not normal; the list goes on. There was nothing “wrong” with Johnny. Johnny was a person, just like you and me, with one exception: he needed help in creating his life.
For Johnny, as an adult, he needed help from the moment he started his day with direction on his personal hygiene and what clothing to wear. He needed help to find activities, book appointments, and ensure he had transportation. He also needed help with his finances, to buy groceries and clothing, to prepare meals, and take medicine. And Johnny needed help to make friends, to feel safe, and to have a home.
Do you love someone, know of someone, who — through no fault of their own — needs help in creating their life?
I hope you know you are not alone, and you are doing the best you can to help your someone.
If you don’t have your special someone who needs help creating their own life, how comfortable do you feel acknowledging the world of developmental disability?
It could be something as simple as a smile.
Through Burlington Local-News.ca, I am sharing a world that is part of our Burlington community, one that I may not have paid much attention to if not for my brother. I hope these conversations help you to think of people you may not have otherwise. It is a world full of compassion, kindness, love, and hope, no matter its many challenges. Johnny gave me the okay to share his story. I hope you follow the series of conversations in which Johnny is very much a part.
If you’d like to continue this conversation, join Lesley on Tuesday, April 14, anytime from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for a very informal get-together about developmental disability at Simply Gifted at 491 Brant Street. Bring your favourite tea or coffee; treat yourself, Simply Gifted is a few stores south of Starbucks. Lesley would love to see you.
If you’re interested in purchasing one of Lesley’s books, it is available at Simply Gifted and Different Drummer Books. It is not necessary to have read our book to be part of the conversation. There is so much to share and learn from each other.
