Former B.C. premier and man with autism form enduring friendship
When Kody Bell went to get a Boston cream donut and a large milk at Tim Hortons all those years ago, he never expected to meet his newly elected MLA.
“I walked up to him and I said, ‘You’re John Horgan,’” Kody says.
“He said, ‘You got 12,642 votes. You beat the other candidate by x-number of votes,’” John recalls meeting Kody.
“And he was impressed about that,” says Kody, who has a developmental disability and is on the autism spectrum.
“I hadn’t committed that [exact number] to memory,” John says. “But Kody had.”
When Kody wondered about visiting the B.C. legislature buildings, John offered a personal tour.
“He was absolutely unvarnished,” John says of Kody. “And I liked that.”
“I got to sit in the speaker’s chair,” Kody says of the first of many visits to the legislature. “It was pretty neat.”
It led Kody to start volunteering at John’s constituency office, where he did everything from helping pick Christmas card art to being the voice on the answering machine.
“He’s not a partisan,” John says. “But he knows who he likes and who he doesn’t like.”
And Kody likes John.
“He’s a down-to-earth person,” Kody says.
John couldn’t help but like Kody.
“I chose to be friends with Kody early on,” John says. “Because of his genuineness.”
Beyond politics, they’re pals who regularly hang out together.
“[It’s] John and Kody’s excellent adventure,” John smiles from behind the wheel after picking Kody up for a drive and a visit.
“We have fun together,” Kody adds.
John will tell jokes and enquire about Kody’s family. Kody will express his infectious curiosity and genuine caring.
“Kody’s taken me to places that have made me cry, have made me laugh,” John says. “And made me reflect on what we can all do as a society, as a community, to lift each other up.”
They make a stop at the drive-through of the Tim Hortons where they first met. John orders a coffee. Kody requests a chocolate chunk cookie and two small milks.
They reflect on the day Kody was invited to attend the ceremony at Government House when John was sworn in as premier.
Following the ceremony, Kody was wandering around and happened to find the room where the cabinet was posing for the official photograph with the lieutenant governor.
“I went around and I didn’t think anyone would see me,” Kody recalls with a smile.
“You were at the side of the door,” John beams, imitating how Kody’s head peered into the room. “I’ll never forget that.”
John says he waved Kody into the room and invited him to sit where the lieutenant governor had just left.
Kody shows me the photo of him in the centre of the front row, surrounded by politicians.
“The unofficial photograph is Kody Bell right in the heart of it,” John smiles. “And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
And now that John has stepped down as premier and is preparing to leave the sometimes cynical and divisive world of politics, this optimistic friendship remains.
“His dearly departed mom used to always thank me and I would say thank you for letting Kody into my heart and letting me experience the wonder that he experiences the world with,” John smiles. “Everybody should see the world that way.”
It's a reminder of the unexpected gifts that come when we allow our differences to unite us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.