Slawomir Dobrowolski was the supporting actor and director in a “real” reality show called “Dignity.”

Mr. Boleslaw Wilbik, a Second World War veteran who recently passed away in his 94th year, was the lead actor.

Supporting cast were the wonderful staff at the John Noble Home, Dr. Edward Ho, Slawomir’s family, the Polish Veterans Association and, in Mr. Wilbik’s last days, St. Joseph’s Church and Dennis Toll.

I witnessed first-hand Slawomir reaching out and helping a stranger, who in a short time became not just an adopted father, but somewhat of a son. I saw this “real life reality show” unfold over the last several years into an Academy Award-winning feature that redefined the word “dignity” and became a living expression of how a human being should and can be treated in their sometimes not so “golden years.”

Pope John Paul II said: “A society will be judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members and among the most vulnerable are surely the unborn and the dying.”

As life’s movie critic, I give Slawomir and his family a “two thumbs up.” My family witnessed “humans doing” not just “humans being.”

Zig Misiak
Brantford