John is an amazing human being. He is kind, loves a good joke, and creates beautiful pieces of furniture. He is also happens to be blind. I first met John through his wife Anni Becker Furniss. She was featured in an earlier episode of Innovators of Vancouver and also a student in my video production class. She often talked about the work John created and that he loved to work with his hands. I knew one day making a video about how he did it was going to happen.
As John works on his wood lathe, he shares how he learned about exotic hardwoods, the visual blueprints that he turns into a reality, and how woodworking is his meditation. When he can, he volunteers at Habitat for Humanity repairing small engines and even builds things.
Thank you to John for welcoming me to his shop as he creates his next masterpiece for Innovators of Vancouver. — Chris Martin
Bruce Elgort 