(The picture above is a head shot portrait of Laura Hershey)
Many regular readers and (and hopefully all of the members of the disability community) who read this blog will recognize the name of Laura Hershey.
Laura – a poet, activist, writer, consultant – died unexpectedly on November 26th after a sudden illness. She was 48 years old. As an activist and writer, Laura leaves behind an immense body of works – her writings deal with disability rights, oppression, women’s rights, worker’s rights, oppression, and resistance. This is not an exhaustive list of topics – Laura would write about how these concerns intersected – and was passionately dedicated to the promotion of human rights and social justice for all individuals. Reading news she would share on Facebook made it clear to me that she followed many global social justice concerns that mostly remain off my own radar, finding the array of issues I do track being about as much as I can handle.
Over the years, Laura engaged in advocacy on NDY issues, taking part in and/or organizing local events touching on NDY issues – or I should say she co-organized them, since organizing a local event was just about always a joint effort of Laura and her long-time partner, Robin Stephens. (Laura and Robin celebrated their 20th anniversary of being together last year.)
Since the beginning of NDY, Laura served on our board of directors, several times as one of the officers.
Here are links to a few of the NDY-related pieces she wrote over the years:
- Disability World: Euthanasia Opponents React to Holland’s New Law
- The Nation: Killed by Prejudice
- The Progressive: My disability gives me different view on Terri Schindler-Schiavo case
- U.S. News & World Report: Handicap is Not a Death Sentence and Should Not be Treated as One
You can find much more about Laura and her work at the memorial site that has been set up for friends and admirers to share thoughts and memories with others: Celebrating the Life of Laura Hershey
NDY’s founder – Diane Coleman – has known Laura for a long time, both being “regulars” in ADAPT. I first met Laura in 1998, when Diane and I both stayed with Laura and Robin in their house in Denver. During that visit, a bunch of us found time to visit the headquarters of the Hemlock Society, where we made a lasting impression.
(photo above consists of two head portraits, with Laura Hershey on the left and Robin Stephens on the right)
In addition to being the activist, writer, and intellectual, Laura was a lover and a mother. As I mentioned earlier, she and Robin Stephens recently celebrated 20 years together.
(photo above is – from left to right – group shot of Laura Hershey, Shannon Hershey-Stephens and Robin Stephens)
Early last summer, Laura and Robin adopted a daughter. Shannon Hershey-Stephens had already been with them for about a year at that time. I want to say that since the time that Shannon entered their lives, I’ve taken great pleasure as both Robin and Laura have shared the latest news of adventures (and occasional misadventures) of this new family. It was clear how much joy all of them have given to each other and those around them.
Laura’s death is one more surprising and saddening loss in our community this year. Mostly I find myself thinking of Robin and Shannon – and the rest of the extended family around them. I know how saddened we all are by Laura’s death.
Our thoughts are with Robin and Shannon. Hoping you take joy and comfort from your memories – and the same from the friends and family who share your loss. Peace.
My condolences on the pain of loss of a friend and colleague to NDY, and Laura Hershey’s family and sadness to our extended community on the loss of a great worker/activist/writer/human being.
It again reminds us to celebrate the activists and hold on to the writings and memories of all we love.
There was a sudden death of my brother-in-law, who was disabled, who died from something other than his disability. Not in US. Died in his sleep, “probable heart attack” said the nursing home. Beginning of Nov.,but I waited to write until last week, when I could be cooler.
Most people acted like my brother-in-law was dead after he became disabled. His spouse put him in a nursing home on his 60th birthday. I’d given my best to keeping him out and in his home, but it was not to be. I wrote a piece about “polite fictions”: obit saying “will be much missed by widow”…and obit omitted that he died in nursing home, shortly after 63rd birthday. Quick cremation, “under the circumstances” (I was too much in shock to ask for definition.) Now there are the “polite fictions” rites for the dead – for someone most acted like he was dead for several years. He got Parkinsons at the age Laura Hershey died.
With wishes for good luck to young leaders.