Living with Disability
W. J. Patrick Kellerman
1958 – 2004
Patrick’s life was, in many ways, the impetus for the work of VP-NET as he and his family and friends tried to make sense of his increasing challenges as well as his delight in life. Patrick lived with multiple sclerosis, had limited vision, used a wheelchair, needed lots of supports to live each day and was clear about his reason for living.
In a section of his journal read at his funeral he said, "I am attempting to be something beyond a stereotype of myself. Like Bulkington (in Moby Dick), I prefer the open seas of just attempting to be myself."
For him that meant being a father to his two children, a partner to Deborah Stienstra (one of the researchers in this project), a son and brother, someone who contributed to the world with his policy and research work, and in later years, as a writer of poetry, stories, journal entries and imaginative and thoughtful pieces.
His genuine desire to live an ordinary life with disability challenged him to the end. In meeting that desire he brought his passion, creativity, humour and imagination to his life and the lives of those he touched.
He left a legacy of his writing that chronicles some of the challenges and delights of living an ordinary life. We share these with you with the full support of his family.
Writings by and about W. J. Patrick Kellerman
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