| The Interview |
| KKAN- How long have you been doing this? G.L.- Two years exactly. KKAN- What motivates you to do this? G.L.- The suffering I see everday with my mother. If my father had any idea, he would never have done it. KKAN- How long did it take you to write the book? G.L.- The writing part wasn't that long. I'd say about four (4) months but it took four (4) years to research all the information and I was working around the clock. KKAN- Where have you presented? G.L.- British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut, Idaho, North Dakota, the UK, India, and California. KKAN- Have you ever smoked?If so, when did you quit and why? G.L.- Yes, I did smoke when I was in my 20's. I quit because I got married and wanted to have a family and I promised myself I would never smoke if I had children. It's been 29 years since my last cigarette. KKAN- Do you think you've made a difference? G.L.- I think the information I've been able to pass along has. I had three (3) girls from Regina who took cigarettes out and stomped them out. If it makes a difference, it's all for the better. KKAN- What is your best memory? G.L.- I have so many! I think it'd be the first presentation in northern B.C. A young lady who was about 14 came up to me and said, "Thank you. You have to keep doing this." Her grandfather had died and that touched me. And the BLAST conferences are just so much fun! We get to hang out instead of just present. KKAN- What is your worst memory? G.L.- A group of high school students laughed at the Barb Tarbox videos and I said "Maybe I should just go." KKAN- Do you get a lot of positive feedback? G.L.- Yes I do. It's part of what keeps me going. Visitors to our website sign the guestbook a lot too. KKAN- Do you get any negative feedback? G.L.- Not from the kids I talk to. But the tobacco industry doesn't like me much. KKAN- What do you want to accomplish before you retire? G.L.- Two (2) more books and to talk to 70,000 more kids in the next 18 months. KKAN- Do you think you've directly influenced changes in laws? G.L.- I think I'm a tiny cog in a great big wheel. I helped in a very small way. You know who is going to change laws? You guys. KKAN- How much do you think you've affected the people you have presented to? G.L.- I think I've given them all something to think about. There's usually something that's being heard for the first time. KKAN- What age groups do you normally present to? G.L.- Mostly middle to senior high school but the youngest is grade four (4). KKAN- Is it regular to visit two (2) or three (3) schools in one day? G.L.- I've done five (5) in one day and an evening presentation too, but yes it is regular. KKAN- Have you ever presented with a BLAST group before? G.L.- Yes in North West Territories. KKAN- How does our school compare to others? G.L.- Very friendly and receptive. It's hard to say. They were an intentive audience. Usually I have to stop talking. KKAN- Would you consider coming back? G.L.- Certainly. I'm going to Peace River at the end of May. KKAN- Has it been a rewarding experience for you? G.L.- Absolutely. Unconditionally. |
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