Feb 2008
MHAG News: tragic death of Genevieve Edmonds
MHAG is very sad to hear of the sudden tragic death of Genevieve Edmonds.
I (Colin Revell)
was only informed of her tragic death only last night (19/2/08), by Jane
Sochovsky, Manchester.
All I can say at
this moment that I am in total shock and stunned to hear this news
knowing that Genevieve had overcome many hurdles and struggles as a
young women within her personal life living with all the 'internalised
-oppression' of living daily with Asperger Syndrome and/or other
impairments.
She had become a
successful author and 'user-led' consultant (working with Paradigm too) and
peer- advocate and educator on the circuit.
She had a
bright future ahead of her as a creative, talented, strong, beautiful,
young woman who spoke out in her gentle ways to many.
I personally had
only met Genevieve on a couple of occasions and we had different
opinions, and totally 'different' styles of working which we both
mutually respected, but I am informed that Hazel Pottage, MHAG member
and others within the Autistic and NeuroDiversity community who had become
close friends, and took a lot of inspiration from all the work Genevieve
had done within the Autism and NeuroDiversity Self Advocacy
community.
At this time
when 'we' are all hearing about too many suicides of young people in the
UK, and then to hear about Genevieve tragic death, words fail me.
Who is failing
Genevieve and all these other young suicide victims in the UK?
All I can say is
that my thoughts are with all Genevieve's family and friends at this sad
time and also to all the other families and friends of all the other
young suicide victims in the UK.
I for one, and I
know others within MHAG and Autism ands NeuroDiversity community and
wider mental health survivors and disability movement, will be
asking many questions about how this can happen (again).
I hope that some
kind of memorial and pro-active movement(s) can come out of this tragic
loss and that 'we' all need to ask questions and feel angry at this sad
loss where Genevieve is another Autistic 'victim', who like many others
and their families/carers are being negligently let down by the Government
and other public bodies on a daily basis.
This needs to
end now... See below...
Autistic
Self-Advocate Mourned: The Autistic Community mourns the death of
Genevieve Edmonds:-
Yours
Colin Revell
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