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Tributes paid to David Morris
By Paul Carter
Tributes have been paid to David Morris, much-loved and respected disability
campaigner and mayoral adviser, who died yesterday (Sunday), aged 51.
Mr Morris, who was on secondment from his role as Senior Policy Advisor on Disability to the Mayor of London, had been working with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) as External Access and Inclusion Coordinator.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said he was “saddened” to hear about the death of Mr Morris, who he said “campaigned tirelessly for disability rights,” while Lord Coe, chair of LOCOG, called him “a life-enhancer who was very perceptive and funny,” adding that his death was “far too sudden.”
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, recently appointed to the House of
Lords, said that Mr Morris was “an inspiration to me and for disabled people.”
A joint statement issued on behalf of both the Greater London Assembly (GLA)
and LOCOG said that Mr Morris had played a “key role in diversity and inclusion
work” ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.
“David will be remembered by all his colleagues at City Hall and LOCOG for the
remarkable contribution he made and for his determination to make a real difference.
He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends,” it
said.
LOCOG Chief Executive Paul Deighton said: “David played a key role in our diversity and inclusion work right across LOCOG. He led on access and inclusion work and was committed to ensuring all of our clients had a great experience at Games-time.
“In particular, he pioneered the ‘Paralympic Inclusive Environment’ which garnered widespread support across LOCOG and beyond. He was inspirational in every sense and was a great role model for disabled people and non-disabled people alike. He will be greatly missed.”
David
Posted by
Maria G Zedda
at
20 Apr 10 11:50
David used to my boss at HAFAD a long time ago, and then through the years we became friends and collaborators and worked together on many projects. He was someone who understood that for disabled people of all walks of life the battle had many folds: it was about human rights, about right to live well, spontaneously, without fear. He introduced me to disabled-led poetry, effective campaigning, accessible events and, to my surprise, to delicious accessible food he loved to prepare. We had endless discussions about euthanasia, Gramsci, disability and the Social Model, and we regularly texted each other each time we discovered a public accessible toiled used as storage: we kept count!
The most important lesson David has taught me is that if we value ourselves, our rights and our differences, by sticking together we can overcome access barriers, prejudice and disability hate crime.
David believed that even in the depths of despair and frustration and fear, through friendship, support and independent living and working to eliminate access barriers, all disabled people can achieve a fulfilling life, irrespective of our impairments, conditions or difference, because life really is sacred and beautiful.
David: you have left a massive, gaping hole in our lives and you will be missed beyond what words can say. We are grateful of your courage and strength to go out there and bring the message of equality to all of us who needed to hear it. We will not let your work be in vain. When the Paralympics will take place in London in 2012, I hope your words will be read out loud for the whole world to know. Because London and the world still need you.
Maria G Zedda
The most important lesson David has taught me is that if we value ourselves, our rights and our differences, by sticking together we can overcome access barriers, prejudice and disability hate crime.
David believed that even in the depths of despair and frustration and fear, through friendship, support and independent living and working to eliminate access barriers, all disabled people can achieve a fulfilling life, irrespective of our impairments, conditions or difference, because life really is sacred and beautiful.
David: you have left a massive, gaping hole in our lives and you will be missed beyond what words can say. We are grateful of your courage and strength to go out there and bring the message of equality to all of us who needed to hear it. We will not let your work be in vain. When the Paralympics will take place in London in 2012, I hope your words will be read out loud for the whole world to know. Because London and the world still need you.
Maria G Zedda
David RIP
Posted by
Sean McGovern
at
20 Apr 10 18:46
First met David when we were trying to stop the Remploy closures. Though sceptical at first, David was able to dispel much of his misconceptions of Remploy, and supported employment; and, saw the positives for organisations such as Remploy. Alas, due to greater powers we were unable to fulfil our goals; and, the factory closed.
David will be remembered for his determination on behalf of disabled people; and, especially for the Disability Capital Conferences he initiated and Liberty, London’s Disability Rights Festival, now an annual event in Trafalgar Square.
RIP, David
David will be remembered for his determination on behalf of disabled people; and, especially for the Disability Capital Conferences he initiated and Liberty, London’s Disability Rights Festival, now an annual event in Trafalgar Square.
RIP, David
Dave Morris
Posted by
Brenda Ellis
at
22 Apr 10 12:20
Dave Morris's death leaves a huge gap in disability politics not only in London but as a whole. He worked tirelessly at the GLA to ensure disabled people were included in the capital in every field. He ensured disabled people had a voice in London. He worked very closely with members of the former Greater London Action on Disability (GLAD) on Disability Capital, the Liberty festivals held in Trafalgar Square as well as many conferences for disabled people on transport, LGBT issues, the built environment, the Olympics - the list goes on. He encouraged, enthused, challenged and supported so many of us. Disabled people owe a lot to his work. He was a true hero of the disability movement which will not forget him. I personally will not forget all his support and encouragement and he was a wonderful role model for us all. Brenda Ellis
David
Posted by
Tim Hoy
at
22 Apr 10 20:50
David set up and Chaired the GLA family's Disability Network. As others have stated, he was an inspiration, with the feisty spirit most of us haven't seen since DAN was at it's most active.
His integrity in highlighting the embarrassment of the UK's historic involvement in Eugenics long before Adolf Hitler thought it was a good idea too made some people highly uncomfortable with his direct approach to dealing with such deeply worrying issues. Not stating such things would be a sell out denial that didn't suit David's way of doing things however. For those who knew him best, this quality was absolutely respected.
As Ju Gosling alluded, David's musical, art, film and photographic work were all other impassioned aspects of his hectic but fruitful life.
I shall miss him terribly and I know many other public service workers, artists and disability activists who will share that immense sense of loss.
Tim Hoy
Communications and Recruitment Officer GLA Disability Network
Chair Disability Working Group - London Fire Brigade
UK Secretary - International Register of Firefighters with Diabetes
His integrity in highlighting the embarrassment of the UK's historic involvement in Eugenics long before Adolf Hitler thought it was a good idea too made some people highly uncomfortable with his direct approach to dealing with such deeply worrying issues. Not stating such things would be a sell out denial that didn't suit David's way of doing things however. For those who knew him best, this quality was absolutely respected.
As Ju Gosling alluded, David's musical, art, film and photographic work were all other impassioned aspects of his hectic but fruitful life.
I shall miss him terribly and I know many other public service workers, artists and disability activists who will share that immense sense of loss.
Tim Hoy
Communications and Recruitment Officer GLA Disability Network
Chair Disability Working Group - London Fire Brigade
UK Secretary - International Register of Firefighters with Diabetes
David
Posted by
anne novis
at
23 Apr 10 16:33
I have worked with David on various disability related issues and also he has supported me personally when faced with threats to my independent living.
He assisted in setting up the new London DPO Inclusion London, ran a stakeholders group for all disabled peoples orgs in London so we could communicate with the GLA.
I found David so encouraging on my work re disability hate crime, always willing to do interviews, make comments, fight the fight.
For me when one of our peers dies we all also lose a part of ourselves.
As campaigners we may not be the closet of friends but each ones work supports the other and we find strength from each other to keep going when times are tough.
I will miss David personally, his humour, down to earth perspective and creativity.
And I will also miss his support.
Farewell David, we will not forget.
He assisted in setting up the new London DPO Inclusion London, ran a stakeholders group for all disabled peoples orgs in London so we could communicate with the GLA.
I found David so encouraging on my work re disability hate crime, always willing to do interviews, make comments, fight the fight.
For me when one of our peers dies we all also lose a part of ourselves.
As campaigners we may not be the closet of friends but each ones work supports the other and we find strength from each other to keep going when times are tough.
I will miss David personally, his humour, down to earth perspective and creativity.
And I will also miss his support.
Farewell David, we will not forget.
Poem for David
Posted by
Ju Gosling
at
26 Apr 10 11:12
He’s gone.
The words seem impossible to hear
The thought too hard to bear
The loss too great to realize.
Our poet, our leader, our friend has left without us.
Left us with art to make
Wars to win
Friends to comfort
But without him.
Without his help, his kindness, his wisdom, his genius, his passion
His love.
Where are the words to explain it?
Where are the thoughts to make sense of it?
Where is our poet, our leader, our friend?
Gone with the sunrise
Gone with the East wind
Gone as the tide turns
Leaving only love, and silence, behind.
The words seem impossible to hear
The thought too hard to bear
The loss too great to realize.
Our poet, our leader, our friend has left without us.
Left us with art to make
Wars to win
Friends to comfort
But without him.
Without his help, his kindness, his wisdom, his genius, his passion
His love.
Where are the words to explain it?
Where are the thoughts to make sense of it?
Where is our poet, our leader, our friend?
Gone with the sunrise
Gone with the East wind
Gone as the tide turns
Leaving only love, and silence, behind.
David Morris Sadness
Posted by
Paul King
at
29 Apr 10 17:20
I knew David for years and was familiar with the man and his work. I was actually his landlord, the owner of the flat that featured so much in his life and the view to which he was so attached. We enjoyed a good relationship as landlord tenant and I am extremely sad to say goodbye to a man who helped so many people in so many ways. It is especially saddening that he won't be around to see his work on the London Olympics and Paralympics enjoyed by billions of people, just round the corner from where he lived.
David Morris
Posted by
Alan Haugh
at
05 May 10 16:11
I have known David for some time. He helped me with Nickys Academy, a speech and language school for children with special needs (a term we both hated) I am still trying to set up. As I live in Barnet, the area he grew up in, we soon gelled and spoke endlessly about football. I would call him, or he me, to see if either one of us were OK for a ‘wet one’ and we would meet in The Grapes. If it was raining he would appear wearing the knitted Barnet FC woolly hat and scarf my children bought him and his humour and wisdom would make the time (and pints) fly by. It is very hard to find someone like David which makes his taking away all the more painful. I had left some messages on his voicemail for a wet one only to discover he had passed away. Wherever you are now David, there had better be ramps!! God Bless. Al
David Morris' funeral
Posted by
Maria G Zedda
at
05 May 10 18:01
For any of you who knew or worked with David, please find below details of the funeral arrangements should you wish to attend.
Thursday 6 May 2010
Funeral service 10am to 11am
The Ecology Centre, Mile End Park, London, E3 5TW
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgsl/451-500/461_parks/mile_end_park/ecology_park.aspx
Please note that parking is on-street and you need to allow time to find a suitable parking space.
Red Jesus Event in Celebration of David Morris' Life – 7pm to 11pm
An open event of poetry, music and film with food and drinks bringing together people who knew David in whatever capacity to share in celebrating his life.
Graeae Theatre Company, Bradbury Studios, 138 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DY
http://www.graeae.org/page/findus
Thursday 6 May 2010
Funeral service 10am to 11am
The Ecology Centre, Mile End Park, London, E3 5TW
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgsl/451-500/461_parks/mile_end_park/ecology_park.aspx
Please note that parking is on-street and you need to allow time to find a suitable parking space.
Red Jesus Event in Celebration of David Morris' Life – 7pm to 11pm
An open event of poetry, music and film with food and drinks bringing together people who knew David in whatever capacity to share in celebrating his life.
Graeae Theatre Company, Bradbury Studios, 138 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DY
http://www.graeae.org/page/findus
tribute to David from Katherine
Posted by
katherine
at
16 May 10 14:38
I Miss you
I Miss you
I Miss you
Silence
I Miss you
I Miss you
I Miss you
Your voice sings
Giving Comfort
When Needed
I Will Never Forget You David
I Miss you
I Miss you
Silence
I Miss you
I Miss you
I Miss you
Your voice sings
Giving Comfort
When Needed
I Will Never Forget You David
Dave Morris
Posted by
David Billington
at
23 Sep 10 09:06
I wanted to (belatedly) say how sad I was to hear of Dave's passing. I was a volunteer with Dave back in 1981 when he lived in Colindale and we went on to share a flat, many holidays, visits to Underhill to watch Barnet and many many pints together over the next 15 years or so. Sadly we lost touch when I moved down to Sussex but I'll always remember Dave for his warmth, intelligence and especially his humour. I'm also very grateful for the way that Dave opened my eyes politically with regards to disability and discrimination. I count myself lucky to have known and shared a substantial part of my life with him.
All my love Dave. RIP
All my love Dave. RIP
David Morris
Julie Newman, Acting Chair, UKDPC.
Ju Gosling, Co-Chair of Regard asks that the following be added.
Although David was best known as a campaigner, he was also an artist of formidable talent. In the last two years in particular, he created a body of arthouse film work which brought together his personal memories and philosophy with music, poetry and art. After moving to Limehouse in 2007, he hosted regular salons in his top-storey apartment, bringing together other musicians, artists and poets to view his films and to share their work. He was also an experimental and innovative cook, and loved to hold dinner parties looking out over the Docklands skyline that appears in much of his visual art. As well as being a close friend, David was a great supporter of me in my role as Co Chair of Regard, and when he died we were closely involved in a joint project to bring together disabled artists and athletes around 2012, his great passion. But my abiding memory of him will be us singing together to Beatles tunes on a Saturday night at Holton Lee, when my partner and I had gone away with him and one of the artists who PAed for him for the weekend. David made it clear to the whole world that love is all you really need.