A leading advocate for West Virginians with disabilities, Ken Ervin, died over the weekend. He was 45.
"If you’ve spent much time at the state Capitol, you may have seen Ervin wheeling down the hallways – leading a protest or trying to corner a lawmaker or government official," Public Broadcasting observes in a piece about his unexpected death.
The Charleston Gazette has the obituary.
Update: The Charleston Daily Mail profiled Ervin on Wednesday.
16 October 2007
Kenneth Ervin, 1962-2007
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3 comments:
Thanks for mentioning Ken's death in your blog.
MUCH appreciated, that you appreciated Ken Ervin for the man that he truly was as you remembered him in your blog - Ken was also an avid sports fan - he loved the Steelers and Roberto Clemente was his favorite baseball player - Ken was both a Contrarian and a Troll in an abstract kind of way - Ken Ervin epitomized the concepts of vigilence, diligence and integrity - his son dubbed him as "everybody's Capt. America" - Ken Ervin was the most incredible man I have ever met - he was one of my heroes - Ken Ervin "got it"! He was my friend.... my dearest, dearest, deepest down in my soul friend - Ken Ervin: SIMPLY the BEST
To the friends of Ken,
My name is Beth and my husband Rick and I have known Ken since our son Michael was born just over 19 years ago. Mike has CP and we met Ken at a an action. Afterward we got together over dinner and talked well into the night. Mike at the time was only 4 and I was still dealing with our "new" life. We have two other children who are older then Mike. Well, Ken told us the story of his life and we were encouraged by his strength and determination.
I remember like it was yesterday when I asked him, "Of everything I should know about raising Michael, what is the most important?" He looked me straight in the eye's and without missing a beat stated, "Know what his rights are and then teach him what they are". "And most of all treat him no different then your other children and expect no less!"
I take these words to heart this very day. I remember calling Ken and telling him of Mikes first advocacy on his own behalf. We were at the Morgantown Mall and Mike went to Santa's big red chair and asked for a ramp! Santa say's, "What? You want a ramp?" " why do you want that?" Michael said, " So I can get my chair next to yours like the other kids." Then he turned sharply in his chair and rolled away! Michael was six or seven at the time.
Ken, thank you so much for entering our lives, we will miss you.
P.S. On the way home from WV back to AZ Mike say's he will pick up your torch and make you proud.
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