Crazy Socks

After fifteen years of providing primary care in the Kingston area as a general practitioner Dr. John Waddell, closed down his practice on June 30, 2005. During the preceding half-a-year transition phase, he informed all of his patients as to his next career step, to serve in indigenous communities along the western shore of James Bay and a small section of the adjoining bottom bowl of Hudson Bay, an area known as the Mushkegowuk Territory.  

In response to this news, a grandma-like patient of Dr. Waddell's started to knit him socks for the colder working environment. She used leftover balls of wool of various sizes & colours to

knit many a pair, in the most random and chaotic colour patterns and schemes.   He wore them in the various coastal communities on a regular basis.

One day, a young child took particular interest in these pedal putts and said "crazy socks" with the sweetest of grins upon his mug. Dr. Waddell loved this characterization and took it on as his name in all introductions afterwards to all the kids he served, as an icebreaker of sorts, to allay any of their fear or upset.  

With time, Crazy Socks faded away and he became known by his doctor title and given last name.

Crazy socks