| "I
knew I had to prove to others that I was my own person, a person with a mind of
my own. I had to prove that I had the determination and the willpower to get a
house and be more capable of coping with the pressures involved in having to keep
a house and look after myself … On August 18th 1992, I moved into a house
of my own. For the first time I could shut my own front door". My Own Front Door - my life with Cerebral Palsy by Jackie Beresford |  |
Jackie Beresford, Vicechair of CTDU and Chair of the CTDU student association passed away suddenly on 25th January 2005. CTDU staff, committee and students were devastated by the sudden loss of a great friend and colleague who contributed so much to CTDU.
This
story is about the Jackie we remember, and how she inspired so many of us ..
Jackie
joined CTDUs Active Citizens' programme in April 2002, along with ten other people
from across the Forth Valley who all became great friends. Jackie had Cerebral
Palsy and used a power chair, and so CTDU staff and members experienced a sharp
learning curve on access issues faced daily by wheelchair users. The members of
the group were really shocked about the barriers and prejudice disabled people
face and Jackie gradually raised our awareness in that quiet but firm way of hers.
CTDU had to find ways of removing barriers in our organisation and we did, without
any great fuss. At the end of 2002, Jackie joined our committee, contributing
particularly on access issues but also being very involved in the development
of the Students Association. Jackie encouraged CTDU to offer an Active Citizens'
programme in the Whins Resource Centre and from that very successful programme,
the Disability Awareness Group made two videos and started delivering equality
training.
 |  |  |
| Chairing the students' association annual general meeting
| Campaigning
with other CTDU students in the 'Stand Together and Oppose Poverty' event in George
Square 2004. |
Despite all the access difficulties encountered, and often poor health, Jackie was always up for visits to Edinburgh and Glasgow, attending conferences, demonstrations and visiting other community organisations. And I think that is testimony to the faith she had in her friends here and the generous care and support so many members offered her. Jackie
had a huge impact on CTDU just by her presence in our community, so there is a
lesson here for us all. Jackie's contribution to CTDU will continue in the idea
that an individual's difference is an asset for a community, and our community
is richer for knowing her. |
All the members and staff of CTDU would like to convey their heartfelt sympathy to Jackie's lovely family and hope that they will find comfort in the knowledge that they made Jackie's wishes possible. CTDU's students have recently bought a beautiful bench for the garden at Bothkennar in Jackie's memory. |
