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Last Word-A tribute and celebration of the life of Dr Roy Green, 1937-2007
The sudden death of Dr Roy Green on Thursday 8th November left the disabled community of Sandwell with the sad loss of a tireless and effective campaigner for service and social care improvement.
Coping with complex health conditions he was truly a brave man. Becoming totally blind at an early age followed by severe hearing impairment, relying on a wheelchair for mobility, he was an inspiration to everyone who knew and worked with him. Work he undertook with a relish and energy many half his age and with no health constraints weren’t able to match.
Roy was an excellent role model for disabled people, achieving a doctorate in psychology supported by additional degrees in Music and Modern Languages. He used his considerable intellectual skill to press for a change in attitude and service delivery for all of us. Equality was his mantra.
When seeking recent re-election to the management committee of SVI (Sandwell Visually Impaired), Roy stated his interest to be ‘Advancing the opportunities of all disabled people to enter society as ordinary people on the same level as everyone else’. In an effort to promote this vision, he played a pivotal role as a Member of Ideal for All and SVI.
He regularly took people beyond their comfort zone; quite capable of being assertive and exposing hypocrisy and insincerity. His steely determination in pursuit of the truth may have made people uncomfortable at times but it was never delivered with malice. With integrity he was passionate and robust in his quest to improve the experiences of our community. Even those who did not know him will feel his loss.
Roy was an extremely gentle caring man with a wicked sense of humour and a real lady charmer! – I will miss you Roy
We have lost a Champion but his legacy is a firm foundation on which we can and must build as a fitting tribute to a life well lived. Roy has left us all the richer for it.
Chair SVI