In memory of Harriet McBryde Johnson
Post categories: Miscellaneous
| 11:58 UK time, Thursday, 5 June 2008
In memory of Harriet McBryde Johnson
Lawyer, disability activist and author Harriet McBryde Johnson, died yesterday at her home in Charleston USA.
I interviewed her for 13 Questions a month or so ago, and she came across as an intelligent, fun-loving and feisty lady, with plenty to say about the plight of people with disabilities. Harriet had just published a young adult novel, Accidents of Nature. This book is unique in that all it's main characters are disabled, and it is set in a summer camp for people with various disabilities. It's definitely worth a look.
One of the biggest things which came across during my chat with Harriet was her love of life, and how impressed she was with herself that she had made it to 50, when everyone said she would die in her teens. Hats off.
Harriet McBryde Johnson even entered into a dialogue with the very doctor who believes that disabled children should be killed at birth. She wrote about this for the New York Times in an essay called .
Our thoughts are with Harriet's family and friends today as they morn the loss of a true fighter and a great person.
Comment number 1.
At 5th Jun 2008, Katie Fraser aka AbleGirl wrote:Oh dear! That's very sad! She sounded like a really good campaigner of disabilities and is featured in this month's Disability Now magazine which makes it even more sad!
Her poor family and friends must be devastated. A sad loss, but well remembered!
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Comment number 2.
At 5th Jun 2008, Chris_Page wrote:Although I still question her decision to meet with Singer largely on his terms, I believe she was a great Disabled person, in terms of her personality and her activism. It is particularly sad that she should have died so soon after she appeared on Ouch.
Rest In Peace, Harriet.
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