Jan Bruce

Jan Bruce

Jan Bruce was born in Saskatchewan to a family that embraced the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) ideology. Her great-grandmother left Nova Scotia, moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and hid her Jewish heritage to keep her family safe. At a young age Jan was taught that all people are equal. Growing up, work was work, not divided along gender lines. She gravitated to sports and outdoor pursuits as a child. She came out as a “dyke” during the AIDS epidemic when discrimination, misinformation, and ugliness were everywhere, sadly even in her own family. 

Jan joined Quirk-e in 2019 around the time she was forced to move into a care facility due to her health limitations from ALS. As a dyke she faced staff who were homophobic. Jan believes that homophobia and transphobia are damaging to society. Joining Quirk-e has been empowering for her. Words matter.

Latest Posts By Author

Every Day is a Gift

https://globalnews.ca/video/11141484/hockey-fan-keeps-spirits-up-while-living-with-pls Jan Bruce is an advocate for people with ALS and PLS. Her diagnosis was recently updated from ALS to PLS, primary lateral sclerosis, which is a non-fatal progressive chronic disease. Jan communicates using voice device. She loves audio books and attends QUIRK-E when she can. Jan says, “Every day is a gift–the magnolia blooming … Read more

Jan Bruce is an inspiration

We were all excited when one of our own made the news last week! Jan received the 2023 ALS Society of BC Exceptional Advocacy Award for her work on Project Hope, a UBC initiative to find the cause and cure for ALS. Jan has lived with ALS for more than 11 years. There’s no known … Read more