In Focus | Helen Day

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Helen Day.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am from Edmonton, Alberta. I have lived in Kelowna now for 25 years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My daughter Chloe. There is an amazing, comfortable bond between us.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Dubai U.A.E. My daughter lives and works there.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I have many, but what comes to mind is Springfield Bulk foods. They have a great organic selection.

What is your favourite activity?
I have a few, but what stands out is rollerblading and hiking.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
To be honest, I can"t think of any. That is not to say they haven't happened, but my brain does this thing of blocking them out.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
It was Princess Diana's death. It gave me great courage to make changes in my life.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I was very fortunate to spend the summers from age 7 to age 13 at Pigeon Lake, Alberta. My mother would pack us lunches and we would take off on our horses to ride all day. When I moved here in 1992, it was part of my dream to provide the same for my daughter, Chloe. She was in Grade 5, so she spent her summers at Lake Okangan

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I deal with people who are suffering every day in my line of work as a physiotherapist. Unfortunately, many people are not covered by private insurance and the government stopped paying for their physiotherapy many years ago. For those who cannot afford my fees, I often do pro bono work (reduced fee or non at all). I also work with organizations such as Amnesty International, the David Suzuki Foundation and Change.org. Many people do not realize how active you can be online to bring about change.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I believe that would be to stop the endless conflict and bloodshed that goes on around the world. Money could then be spent on food, water production, education, etc.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Hiking.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Hiking, rollerblading and gardening.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
People in Kelowna seem to take our surroundings for granted. There is very little awareness of sustainability, though it is growing. Having traveled extensively, what we have here in Kelowna is world tops, we can always do more.

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
I have been granted my wish for work in knowing that every day I have helped someone.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am a very quiet person. I was involved in the first embryo transplant in cattle in Canada and I was responsible for designing a community for 1,000 hectares.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Consult-Educate-Treat Physiotherapy/Acupuncture.

What does your business do?
There are two divisions; the first is focussed on helping people with injuries and for the second division, I have developed the FIVE F.A.C.E.S program which is 12 sessions of therapy and education. There is hand therapy and foot specialists. A youthful face is a healthy face.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I came from a health-sciences family. My father was an orthopedic surgeon and my mother was a dietitian.

What is the goal of your business?
It is to help with either body health or facial health. A healthy face is a youthful face.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
It took me a long time to realize that I could be of immense benefit to my fellow human being.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Hopefully I would believe in myself sooner.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Shopping locally puts money back into local pockets, not conglomerates. Therefore, once again, our community prospers.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My daughter, Chloe Bennett. She has been very courageous to live and work in Dubai as a landscape architect. There is very little awareness of her profession so she is constantly breaking new ground with education.

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Chloe Bennett.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.