It has been said that there are two gifts to give children: roots and wings. That being said, most people are a mirror image of their upbringing. When you experience a fulfilling childhood and a strong sense of place, the sense of home will never leave.
This is particularly true for Dr. Cheba as he was raised in a household where discipline and consistency were the fundamentals of a solid foundation. Without a solid foundation, it can prove challenging to create a life full of value. Stability is vital to achieving a solid ground to build on.
Born and raised in Calgary, Dr. Cheba grew up in a house with his mother, father, grandmother, and three sisters. His parents strongly focused on the fundamentals of being a family. They instilled values of togetherness, kindness, and always putting love first. He considers his family his best friends, proving just how beneficial these values were in shaping his life.
Dr. Cheba credits his father for his maturity, as his relentless pursuit for excellence shaped who is he today. His mother taught him love and kindness, which are two of the most important values to learn as a child. In his younger years, Dr. Cheba enjoyed traveling, socializing with friends, and taking in all that Calgary had to offer.
It’s no wonder that Calgary is one of the strongest and best communities in Canada. With beautiful mountains and endless nature to admire, Dr. Cheba remains passionate about the great outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, and camping, and some of his favourite spots in the city to visit include Nosehill Park, the downtown restaurant scene, and Princess Island Park.
Alongside appreciating and embracing the outdoors, the community is of utmost importance to Dr. Cheba. It allows him to connect with others to help improve lives. He strongly believes that community means living in peace amongst friends and neighbours and that kindness is the universal currency.
Dr. Cheba is very involved within his community and supports a wide range of organizations including The Ronald McDonald House, Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre, the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, and women’s outreach programs. He strives to always help those in need and is determined to give back as much as possible.
His fulfilling childhood and the values instilled by his family have transitioned to Dr. Cheba’s own family today. While in orthodontic training in Winnipeg, he met the person he chose to spend the rest of his life with. They have two beautiful sons, aged 4 and 6, raising them in Calgary and ensuring the same fundamentals from his childhood are implemented every single day.
Dr. Cheba’s advice for his younger self? Work hard, stay disciplined to a routine, be consistent, and always put kindness first. Remember, home is not the place where you happen to be born. It’s the place where you become yourself.