BONDING LIKE BROTHERS WITH FORMER BLUE BOMBER MO LEGGETT
By Jennifer McFee
At first glance, it might seem like an unlikely pairing.
But a former Bombers player has formed a brotherly bond with a local man he visits at the Stonewall hospital.
Mo Leggett earned accolades dur- ing the five years he played defence for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Now he’s tackling a career shift through his work with Services Beyond Support. The Winnipeg-based organization employs support workers to assist challenged individuals in hospitals, homes and rehabilitation centres.
In September, Leggett began meet- ing with 35-year-old Michael Obsniuk during his prolonged stay at the Stonewall hospital. When he was four years old, Obsniuk was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that impacts the 15th chromosome. This syndrome can affect the ability to metabolize food and to feel full, along with a long list of other areas.
The well-known athlete spends four days per week with Obsniuk, working long shifts and resting at the hospital.
“For me, it never started as a job. I came to Stonewall previously at the local school for a Winnipeg Blue Bombers Manitoba campaign and I thought it would be interesting to come back here,” said Leggett, who has homes in both Winnipeg and Atlanta.
“I’m here almost every day. It’s 20 hours with Michael and then I go home for four hours to eat and show- er. When I come back, I always bring him a healthy snack. I have a pillow and a blanket and a foam mattress here, so when he sleeps, I sleep.”
When the duo is together, it’s impossible not to notice the amusing banter and inside jokes that they share. “Every now and then, I feel like we’re twins. His mom told me that some people actually have trouble with Michael. But Michael’s harmless. He’s an angel,” Leggett said.
“He actually grew on me a lot. It’s never a dull moment and he’s as petty as I am, so we go back and forth trying to mess with each other. It’s kind of like a sibling relationship. It’s very entertaining. He loves me but he won’t admit it.”
As for Obsniuk, who is a participant in The Company of Friends supported by Innovative Life Options, he said he likes Leggett best when he brings him snacks. “I miss him sometimes, but not as much as some other people,”Obsniuk teased with a smile.
While Leggett is on hand to assist Obsniuk, he feels that he also benefits from the arrangement. “Michael has been opening my eyes about different things. He keeps me sane. He helps me a lot with my patience,”he said. “I can’t see myself doing anything else outside this profession other than sports. I’ve tried and it doesn’t fit with my personality.”
The American athlete also expressed appreciation for the hospitable atmosphere around him. “The Stonewall hospital and the entire town make it a good work environment,” said Leggett, who has become a familiar face at the local Subway and Cravings restaurants.
He also notes that Services Beyond Support is always hiring. “It’s a support service that does companion care, respite, hospice. The service is wide-ranging, depending on the certifications that you have. If you don’t have the certification, then they do a great job of helping you get it. You don’t usually see your coworkers because you’re at different locations, but there are chances for you to meet up together and get to know each other,” he said, adding that many staff members vie for the chance to work with Obsniuk.
“It’s also a testament to Michael because we all want to do it. We get to create our own schedules. We are definitely looking for staff to work all the way from Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Steinbach, Emerson, Selkirk, all over.”
For more information about Services Beyond Support, visit www.servicesbeyondsupport. com.