Gerald Zeiman was born in Halifax, to Mary and John. He grew up in Dartmouth and later settled in Amherst, Nova Sciotia. He started the company, X, in 1959 and it was a great success.
Luke Elwood grew up in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. He is the son of Maureen and Rick Elwood and has an older sister, Melissa (b. 1975). In 1986, when Luke was in Grade Three, the Elwood family were amid a court battle against the Halifax County- Bedford District School Board (HCBDSB, 1982-1996), who had been trying to halt Luke’s integration into his neighbourhood Atlantic View School. In May 1987, one night before the case was scheduled to go to trial, the Elwoods reached an agreement with the School Board. Luke would be allowed to attend Atlantic View School for another year, then move on through mainstream schooling with his peers. Along the way, Luke has made many friends within his community through various activities including swimming lessons and church groups. Luke has also been an avid goer to Big Cove Camp, where he has volunteered as a junior camp counselor.
Rick Elwood is the father of Luke (b. 1977) and Melissa Elwood (b. 1975). He and his family lived in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. During the years of the court case, Rick worked as a firefighter.
Melissa Elwood is the older sister of Luke (b. 1977), and the daughter of Maureen and Rick Elwood. She and her family lived in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, where she also attended Atlantic View School. Melissa followed her parents in advocating for Luke’s inclusion at school. One record contains Melissa’s speech notes for a presentation on inclusive education. Another record is a draft to a book based off the Elwoods’ story written from the perspective of an older sister to a sibling with disabilities, taking direct inspiration from Melissa’s account of Luke’s journey.