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Captain Troake helped to save many lives. But the M.V. Christmas Seal
was not just concerned with tuberculosis. Here is a story from the Evening
Telegram in 1963:
Also this year there are two workers with the Society for the Care
of Crippled Children and Adults as well as a technician from the Newfoundland
Diabetic Association [on board the M.V. Christmas Seal]. The crippled
children and the adult association have a technician and a social worker
on board the boat on the South Coast cruise. These two people are completing
a list of people who have disabilities. Also they are administering
the new oral Sabin vaccine [for polio] to communities where there are
no doctor or nursing stations....15
The staff on board the M.V. Christmas Seal
told the disabled about the services that were available to them. They
helped many people with physical problems lead fuller lives. They also
showed health education films. Sometimes they even showed cartoons for
the children on the wharf!
Captain Troake and the M.V. Christmas Seal
had many adventures in their more than 20 years together. They often
ran into bad weather. Sometimes the communities they visited had no
harbour. People would come out to the M.V. Christmas
Seal in small boats. Sometimes the M.V. Christmas Seal
was called upon to help in emergency situations. It often took sick
people to hospital.
When the M.V. Christmas Seal was taken
out of service in 1970, Captain Troake went back to being a sealing
captain. In 1987, he was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in
the fight against TB.
Vocational Training and Rehabilitation
People involved in the fight against tuberculosis knew that it wasn't
enough to just worry about the disease. It was important that once people
were cured, they could then return to the work force. Doctors recommended
that ex-TB patients stay away from heavy work like fishing or mining.
Programs were set up to train people in "light" occupations
such as watch repair and bookkeeping. This is how the rehabilitation
program worked:
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