Human rights leaders mourned

“In the last week, New Zealand has lost two champions for human rights, Bev Grammar and Patrick Thompson. They were both young, principled and tireless advocates for disabled people and their contribution to progress on human rights issues in New Zealand was huge,” Ruth Dyson, Labour’s Disability Issues spokesperson said today.
Patrick Thompson worked with the Deaf Maori community for more than 20 years in a range of positions including educator, social worker and advocate.
He was awarded the Queens Service Medal for services to Māori and the Deaf community in 2012.
He was involved in the production of web and DVD resources for NZ Relay, Deaf Mental Health Service and Mokopuna Ora: Maori Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as well as teaching sign language at Hoani Waititi Marae in Glen Eden.
In 2011, Patrick worked with Te Roopu Wairoa Trust and was a facilitator for Whanau Integration and Innovation Engagement work. Prior to this, he helped develop technology platforms for Te Roopu Wairoa’s Project Karere to assist health services communicate with the families of disabled Maori. In the past Patrick was a member of the New Zealand Disability Strategy Reference Group and Maori Deaf Development Manager for Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, and was a member of the Disability Consumer Consortium. Until his passing, he was an educator associate for the Kelston Boys High School Deaf Unit. He has also been a residential social worker for Kelston Deaf Education Centre, a trainer for Friends of the Young Deaf and the Service Coordinator for Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand Whangarei.
Bev Grammar was the immediate past President of DPA (Disabled Persons Assembly) and an active member of the Bay of Plenty community. She was the Managing Director and owner of UP2DATE Consultancy Services. She was previously a member of the Disability Issues Advisory Council, a member of the Health and Disability Commission Advisory Council and a Lotteries Commission Committee Member, Total Mobility Management Committee member, Director of Access Ability Ltd and a DSAC member of the Bay Of Plenty District Health Board.
She was the Bulletin Editor of the Ohope Beach Lions Club.
“New Zealand is a better place because of the work that Patrick and Bev did in their too short lifetimes. I have worked closely with them both over many years and have lasting memories of their passion and wealth of knowledge, which they willingly shared for the betterment of others. Their leadership will be greatly missed. I and my Labour colleagues send condolences and warmest thoughts to their family, friends and colleagues at this time of sadness.” Ruth Dyson concluded.
– See more at: http://livenews.co.nz/2014/04/07/human-rights-leaders-mourned/#sthash.oi0ikGYd.dpuf

—