Disability world mourns loss of activist

The disability world is mourning one of its most popular activists, Sue Maynard Campbell MBE (pictured), who died in the early hours of yesterday morning (21 May).

Ms Maynard Campbell was one of the founders of the British Council of Disabled People and a leading figure and former chair of the Association of Disabled Professionals.

A qualified solicitor, she was chair of the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities and managing director of the disability consultancy Equal Ability CIC. She also set up the Ceiling Hoist users Club and worked to encourage hotels to install hoists in their rooms.

And she was a former chair of the Advisory Committee for Disabled People in Employment and Training.

Over the years, she wrote and campaigned on issues such as barriers to independent living, right to life issues and the use of “do not resuscitate” notices in hospitals, having been the victim herself of such a notice during a hospital stay in 1998.

In 2002, Ms Maynard Campbell was awarded an MBE.

Douglas Campbell (no relation), chair of Mobilise, who knew her well and worked with her on many occasions, said she was a “constant campaigner”.
He said: “She wouldn’t accept half measures. She expected people to properly meet the needs of disabled people. She also took on causes that were not nationally popular, such as ceiling hoists.”

As a person, he said, she was “great fun and full of life”. “It is a great loss for the disability world and, as far as I am concerned, the loss of a good friend.”
In a statement on its website, the Ceiling Hoist users Club said: “She will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues and will be remembered for her achievements and sheer determination. Sue was an inspiration to us all.”
22 May, 2008