Tribute by Doro Riedel-Ratzka

My late husband Adolf Ratzka would have honored John on this site. Instead of him, here are just some short words from me.

John and Adolf had the same passion for independent living and human rights for persons with disabilities and worked close together and contributed to change the life of a lot of disabled persons in Europe and worldwide. But also and even more important, they were close friends who respected one another a lot. They met regularly at different disability meetings mainly in Europe.

I myself did not meet John that often, but it was always great to see him and I do not forget his warm kindness.

First time I met John was in 1982 in Munich. The organisation I was working for at that time (Vereinigung Integrationsförderung, VIF) organized a conference to introduce the idea of Independent Living, which was very new in Germany at that time. Both John and Adolf were invited to talk and their speeches made a big impact. This, I think, was one of the starting points for the Independent Living movement in Germany.

Later on John visited us in our house in Sweden several times in connection with ENIL-meetings. I attached just a few pictures.

Let’s work together to keep their ideas alive!

Doro Riedel-Ratzka

 

Photo from Doro


Photo from Doro


Photo from Doro

Photos from Doro


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