Another man’s shoes
40-year friendship: Quadriplegic and North Penn art teacher share experiences
FRANCONIA » Gordon Sykes’ art work has only been publicly displayed a few times, including twice on the West Coast where he lived and once at Peter Becker Community in Harleysville.
“They’re life-sized portraits and when he died he left all of his art work to my wife and I,” said Salford Township resident David C. Page, whose new book, “Another Man’s Shoes,” tells about the stories shared during Sykes and Page’s 40-yearfriendship.
A book signing and presentation on the book, accompanied by guest readers, will be held 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville.
It will also include a display of Sykes’ art work.
“I did not want to have the book out there at this event without also showcasing his art work,” said Page, a retired former art teacher at North Penn High School, who went on to serve as a principal, including at North Wales Elementary School, and as the district’s director of instruction.
“This is a man who had absolutely every reason in the world to shut down, to just not do anything, and he did everything and loved life, loved every single day,” Page said, “and I think that’s a powerful message that is worth sharing with the community.”
At age 22, Sykes was paralyzed in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic only able to move a crippled hand and his head somewhat, Page said.
“He was a remarkable man and pushed his own boundaries as far as possible,” Page said.
Sykes went back to college and graduated top of his class and continued on with his education by getting a master’s degree, Page said. He also took an art class.
“He started to draw using this
one crippled hand and his mouth,” Page said, “and his drawings were absolutely, unbelievably beautiful.”
The portraits were done by pencil in black and white, with Sykes breaking down the drawing into a grid with several 1-inch by 2-inch spaces he assembled into the total portrait, Page said.
“They’re so exact and precise, you would think they’re photographs,” he said.
Sykes, who was confined to a wheelchair or bed, liked to hear about Page’s life, which included being a hiker, mountain climber and motorcyclist, Page said.
“Not only did I tell him my stories, bringing my world to him, but I think it’s important to note that he brought his world to me,” Page said.
“One of the things that he really taught me was the power of silence, the wonderful things that can come by just being still and listening,” he said, “so I brought him the noise and he brought me the silence and in that silence I wrote this book.”
Just as their lives were different, so, too, was their art work, Page said.
“He did everything in black and white and he specifically did portraits,” he said.
“My work is all color. Mine is paint, his is pencil,” Page said. “There was a lot of difference between us and yet we had so many commonalities.”
The stories in the book are ones shared with Sykes, but the setting for the story-telling has been changed to an imaginary road trip, Page said.
“It is a truly, truly incredible story, not only of Gordon, but how David shares his life and his journey through some difficult times and happy times as well,” said Janelle Adams, Mennonite Heritage Center’s director of programs, events and volunteers.
“It’s absolutely an incredible book for anybody to read,” she said. “It’s very touching.”
Along with several online vendors, the book is available at the Mennonite Heritage Center and at The Next Chapter bookstore in Sellersville. In addition to the Mennonite Heritage Center presentation, a book signing event will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, June 5 at The Next Chapter. The YouTube video “Another Man’s Shoes by D. C. Page” also tells about the book.
Cover art for the book, showing a paragliding man, was painted by Page’s wife, Terry.
“I wanted the cover to be filled with life and adventure,” Page said. The cover illustration also depicts one of the things discussed in the book, he said.
“I always saw my brother as a rolling miracle. And me, I am the one who periodically had the privilege of being his legs,” Page said in information for the Mennonite Heritage Center event. “I brought my brother stories gathered from all corners of the world alive with color and noise and movement. My brother brought me the courage to be still. In stillness, I wrote this book.”
It was initially written to help himself through the grieving process following Sykes’ death, with no expectation of becoming a published book, Page said.
“When it was done, it sat on my desk for a long time actually before I could write the last page because for the last — I don’t know how many months — while I was writing this, it felt as though Gordon was sitting in the room with me and I hated the thought of completing the book and losing his presence in my world,” Page said.
When he finished it, though, he decided to send it to a publisher for editing and the publisher said they would love to edit it, but only if they could also publish it, he said.
He said he’s hoping readers will enjoy the stories, but also benefit through learning about Sykes.
“His story about being persistent and embracing life instead of death, wanting, still being hungry for the living, is something that I appreciate,” Page said, “and I think that this community would like to hear it as well.”