Major Disability Pioneer passes away at the age of 53

Cathy Kerr was a major pioneer on accessibility issues in the disabled community.

Cathy was very well spoken and everyone that deals with disabled issues respected her. Names like Rick Hansen, Christopher Reeve, Micheal J. Fox, Jeff Willbond, and Charles Matthews all respond that Cathy was a mentor for many of us.

Cathy achieved so much that we all would be benefiting for years on what she did. Cathy served as a director on the board for Disabled Persons Community Resource (DPCR) from 2000 to 2004 and worked with them since 1998. She co-founded the Kiwanis South Enders. Cathy also started the Curling Club for persons with disabilities at the RA Centre in 2003 and was the only female Skip in Canada. She was part of many boards in this city that it will be impossible to include them all here. We will be producing a biography on Cathy in the next edition of Access Now.

Cathy received many awards for her countless hours of dedicated work in all areas. You can see her name and awards all over the city. Some examples of these awards included the 1997 The Rick Hanson award that can be seen at the Rehabilitation Centre, and she received the Health award from the Mayor in 2003.

A close friend and mentor, Jeff Willbond was with Cathy in her final days and adds this Quote from Cathy.

"People wonder if a small committed group of people can change the world? The fact is.... the common dominator between things that get done, is usually started with a resounding NO followed by the hard work that makes it happen"

Catherine Kerr, October 2004

The service for Cathy Kerr will be at:

Saint Patrick’s Basilica: Monday October 25, 2004 at 1pm.

281 Nepean Street

233-1126

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