Obituary - Emmett Roberts

DW were sad to learn that disability activist Emmett Roberts passed away in Wrexham on 26 January 2010.

Emmett had a very full and active life, despite his impairments. He was a familiar figure in Wrexham, where he could often be seen speeding around the town in his head controlled wheelchair, usually (but not always) with one of his personal assistants alongside.

As his impairment progressed and he needed more and more support Emmett was determined to live as independently as possible. With this in mind he was one of the people who were instrumental in establishing the local direct payments scheme. Emmett served as Chair of the steering group and was the first person to receive care and support under this system.

Emmett was also a founding member of Outside In, the Service User and Carer participation group at Glyndwr University. He got involved at Glyndwr when the BA Social Work degree course was introduced over 4 years ago and was well known to lecturers and students in the School of Health and Social Care. He gave talks, took part in workshops, and interviewed candidates for the BA Social Work programme. He also contributed his skills and experiences within the Nursing programme, giving lectures in which he shared his experiences of discrimination and his thoughts about the communication skills students need to develop.

When the Outside In project won a Social Care Accolade in 2007 Emmett went on stage to receive the trophy. There was no doubt among group members that it was he who most deserved this moment of glory for his commitment to the work of participation.

Emmett was also involved in establishing the Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living. He was passionate about disabled people’s right to live life as fully as possible and had a wicked sense of humour which left its mark on the many people who knew and loved him – and not just, as he would say, because of "the tyre tracks when I ran into them with my wheelchair!"

Emmett will be greatly missed.

A service will be held at 1.15pm on 12 February 2010 at Maesgwyn Hall and 2.30pm at the Crematorium. No flowers please, donations welcomed for one of the charities that Emmett supported - please contact Harry & Sylvia Prankard: harry.prankard [at] talktalk.net