Editor's Column
by
Tim Benjamin
This time of year, when the
sun returns full-strength, I always remember my friend Charlie Smith;
he was a sun lover, and like most quadriplegics, he said the warmth
comforted his bones.
I remember Charlie Smith
as a kind, intelligent man who was always able to teach through
his actions. I never heard Charlie get loud with his own opinion.
He did get loud giving voice to all of us in the disability community.
That is who
Charles
F. Smith
Born: June 23, 1953
Died: April 24, 2001 |
Charlie was: the guy giving
voice to those of us who did not have the knowledge, strength,
or the motivation to speak out for ourselves. He was a true leader,
although I do not think Charlie ever thought of himself as a leader.
I know that his goal was to make life easier for people with disabilities.
Maybe he also knew that if it was easier for others, it would be
easier for him—but his interest was in others.
Charlie Smith was energized
by politics; he looked forward to the legislative session, and
to the opportunity to talk to people who could change his life
and the life of every person with a disability. Charlie was there
on the hill, educating and convincing public officials about so
many of the rights that we have today. Charlie was there when public
transportation became accessible. Charlie was there when the PCA
program began. He was there to fight a governor when it looked
as though the PCA program was going to be eliminated. Charlie created
Access Press to keep the disability community informed of what was
happening at the capitol and to give the entire disability community
a forum for topical discussion of any kind pertaining to any disability.
There are many topics out there right now that could use Charlie’s
passion for open dialogue and his fearlessness to force the discussion
into the mainstream of our community.
He recognized the need
for people in the disability community to hold their heads high
with dignity and pride and through dignity and pride, create a
community that was proud of who they were. Proud people, he knew,
aren’t ashamed or afraid to demand their rights
or to demand equality among all people.
As a journalist, Charlie
did not hesitate to ask the difficult questions, and he knew when
to back off to give an interviewee enough room, in the true Charlie
style, to let them hang themselves with their own words. He was
never afraid of dialogue and often would take the opposing position
while maintaining his own integrity and values, just to get a good
dialogue started. Charlie knew the value of getting people talking
about uncomfortable issues. He intuitively knew that, no matter
how “off the wall” someone’s opinion
might be, it was worth it to push for that discussion. As soon as
the dialogue began, Charlie became the listener. If things got too
heated, Charlie was the one who could break the tension with a joke
and a smile. His jokes and smiles often did break the tension, from
the governor’s office to someone’s smoke-filled basement
card room.
There was a time when it seemed you could not go anywhere with Charlie
without running into someone that knew him. His network of friends,
colleagues and admirers covered the disability community from coast-to-coast.
If it sounds like I
have described a superhero—well, in a
way, Charlie was one. And now, Access Press, Charlie Smith’s
creation, is asking you to look around the community and nominate
another person who exemplifies these same powerful traits. Every
November for the last four years, we have honored an individual or
group for their achievements. Charlie would be very proud to be grouped
with these folks but more importantly Charlie Smith would be the
guy first in line to honor them for their successes and contributions.
Perhaps in November we will recognize your nominee for the fifth
annual Charlie Smith Award. ![]()
