I watched George find his calling and get in action on it. He knew that his own health challenges and the question was not should he continue but what would it take to continue his mission if he became more housebound. He was a real inspiration to me and will live on in my memories. Below is the write up about his passing but I first want to post a quote about his business and mission, may it inspire others to keep carrying their torch in challenging times:
"Universal Access Now is dedicated to integrating nationwide the relevant information and resources with people and groups who all share the goal of making equal access for all a standard operational business and cultural reality, especially considering the needs of those with disabilities, less than optimum health, and complicating medical conditions. It brings people with disabilities together to coordinate their efforts and maintain dialogs with their local communities and the business community about their access needs, including surveys and market information of interest to business." - from his Linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/universaldesign
About him and his passing.
George Robert Buckner
Saturday, October 18, 2008
George Robert Buckner, died at Rex Hospital on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 following a long and complicated illness partly related to adrenomyeloneuropathy, which had left him wheelchair- bound for over two decades. Despite his difficult condition, he lived independently and courageously, working full time in information technology and participating in community issues. Born October 28, 1955, in Fayetteville, he spent important childhood years in Goldsboro, before moving to Raleigh. During high school, he was active with Theatre in the Park, the Broughton High School chorus, and the conference- wide Methodist Youth Fellowship, in which he held offices. He graduated from Broughton and then from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he honed both musical and computer skills. For over 21 years he worked as a systems requirements analyst at the EPA. He was also a founder and board member of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness. Forced by disability to leave competitive employment, he turned his inventive mind to two projects: working towards better accessibility for persons with disabilities and preventing identity theft. For the former, he joined various group efforts, launched the Web site (www.universalaccessnow.com), and designed and produced promotional materials dealing with disability issues. For the latter, he filed a patent for an identity management system and, prior to his death, was working to start a business built on identity protection. He also worked with students in the Design School at NCSU to develop a more effective wheelchair. George attended Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Sally Buckner of Cary; his sister, Sally Lynn Buckner of Raleigh; his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews, Ted, Serena, Dane, and Graham Buckner, also of Raleigh; and other beloved family members and friends. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, followed by a reception in the church parlor. Memorial gifts should be dedicated to research on AMN (adrenomyeloneuropathy) at either Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, or ULF (United Leukodystrophy Foundation), 23034 Highland Drive, Sycamore, IL 60178. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Wake Forest Rd. Raleigh, 839-8225.
Posted by Martin Brossman on the In Memory of a Mentor Blog: http://inmemoryofamentor.blogspot.com/
