He is an animal empath to whom creatures large and small, wild and tame, local and traditionally non-local, are drawn. What he does with this natural talent is use it not only for physical therapy for himself but also for providing gifts and joy to others.
David Boxell, a resident of King-Bruwaert (KB) House, is an accomplished photographer whose stunning artwork is displayed throughout the halls of the senior living community in Burr Ridge. With a lifelong love of nature, he’s developed a strong penchant for snapping pictures of wildlife that seem to be astoundingly up close and personal. He does not use a zoom lens yet captures his subject’s soulful, inquisitive, engaging eyes, beautiful coloring and unique personalities. It’s all indicative of the way he connects with the animals. He shows his wonderful photographs to the residents throughout the KB House and, in doing so, brings them joy, stirs memories and encourages conversation.
A Steady Hand
David was first drawn to photography as a holistic and organic way to combat a neurological disorder similar to muscular dystrophy, that causes him to stutter, shake, and lose balance. “My doctor taught me to concentrate through meditation. He also encouraged me to get a hobby where I could get a feeling for my fine muscles and nerves and how to control them,” he said.
Photography made sense, David explained. “I can’t take pictures unless I hold perfectly still, and it takes concentration and control to do so. I started with an old-fashioned Brownie camera. More recently, I’ve been using a small handheld camera, which helps me to focus on keeping the camera as steady as possible.” Photography continues to help him function well with his illness without medication.
The combination of his hobby and love of animals became David’s passion in addition to his essential method of therapy.
KB House
David and his wife Jane, who lived in Western Springs for 45 years, decided to move to KB House senior living community three years ago. “We wanted to be somewhere where we could live independently but have access to care if needed. If you’re staying in your home rather than moving to a senior living community and you develop health issues, you might lose your option to move where you choose. We looked at the cottages, The Woods of KB House, and were thrilled with what we saw,” he said. “We moved here in 2021, and three months ago, my wife, who’d started developing dementia, moved into memory care at KB House. She’s getting excellent and loving care. The staff is wonderful. I’m easily able to walk over and spend the day with her as often as we’d like.”
The Perfect Setting
Located on a 35-acre wooded campus, KB House provides David with magnificent, natural settings from which to take pictures. “It’s like nowhere else: the gardens, the trees, the paths and trails and grounds, and Katherine Legge Memorial Park adjacent to us. It’s beautiful. There are so many places to enjoy nature and take photos,” said David.
He takes pictures every day of the animals who live near his home, as well as those who are not usually found in the vicinity. While he captures deer, coyotes, foxes, and birds native to the area, he also has pictures of species of ducks and birds who don’t ‘belong’ in the region but seem to gravitate to his home and hang out there for photo sessions. Additionally, there are animals who are typically shy or wary of humans, including a frog who engages him in a stare down, a deer that often comes and peers through his window, and a fox who will play with her babies within his view.
David explains that because he is still and patient, animals are more curious than nervous about him. When asked if he ever goes a day without being close to wildlife, he said, “No; I just wait.”
Spreading the Joy and Stirring Memories
David, who is self-taught at photography, has done really well at contests that he’s entered. “I thought maybe people could enjoy seeing my pictures. When we first moved to KB House, I brought some into the restaurant, and people liked them. Then sharing them became something I looked forward to doing,” he said. “When you retire, you wonder about what you’re continuing to contribute to others. I had worked professionally in personnel at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for many years and liked being able to help people. After I shared my photos at the bistro here, I went home with that great feeling that I’d added to peoples’ joy.”
David said when he brought some of his photos to share with a friend living in memory care, “holy cow, did that open him up to talking and smiling! It blossomed. Jane enjoyed them so much, too. I started enlarging pictures for her, and she’d take them, handle them, and smile. It was amazing. She’d lost the ability to find words she wanted to use but when she had the pictures, she’d talk about them. I asked a psychiatrist, and he acknowledged that pictures and songs are things that stir memories.’ I take pictures now to other residents in memory care, too. Some residents will see me and ask to see my pictures and that puts me in heaven. I’m contributing and it’s a great feeling. I’m not artistic, and I’ve never been into the arts. I never would have anticipated this, but it brings people joy, and so it brings me joy.”
“It’s special to have the talents of a resident showcasing the beauty of the campus,” said Mark Zullo, senior director of sales and marketing. “It’s wonderful to have him sharing his photos with the residents who love seeing them!”
