Obituary for David Neil Martin
David Neil Martin
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Neil Martin on September 7th, 2022.
David was born on November 14th, 1961 in France while his father, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was stationed there. David’s family returned to Canada in 1963 after David was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. David’s family lived in Toronto and then Edmonton where David attended Glenrose School Hospital, a segregated institution for children with disabilities, and finally settled in Winnipeg where he was integrated into the public school system. David attended Hedges Junior High School and Sturgeon Creek Secondary School. David went on to study Political Science at the University of Winnipeg graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1983. Years later he completed a three-year management program at the University of Manitoba by attending evening courses.
David’s commitment and determination to make Manitoba a better place for people with disabilities began with The Manitoba League of the Physically Handicapped, later to become the Manitoba League of Person’s with Disabilities. As the Provincial Coordinator for seventeen years, David was integral in helping to improve transportation and homecare services as well as making significant strides in making the province more accessible. David left the MLPD in 2000 to take a job as the Managing Director of Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. He worked there for four years until he accepted a position with the Manitoba Government as the Executive Director of the Disabilities Issues Office. In this position, David reported directly to the Minister and was responsible for leading the government’s strategy on people with disabilities. Although health issues forced David to leave this position prematurely, David was able to return to work in 2010. With the help of assistive communication technology, David took on the position of Senior Advisor on Disability Issues.
David’s work and influence extended beyond provincial boarders to include many parts of Canada and the world including the United States, Ukraine and West Indies.
David also served on many boards and different organizations including: The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada; Equality Rights Advisory Committee for the Court Challenges Program of Canada; National Council with Council of Canadians with Disabilities; Reaching E-Quality Employment Services; Winnipeg Regional Housing Authority; The Independent Living Resource Centre and many others.
David was recognized with many awards celebrating his accomplishments, but he was particularly proud of The Distinguished Alumni Awards he received from his former high school and the University of Winnipeg, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
David never walked. He went from a stroller to a wheelchair, but he never stopped moving forward to live a full life and to achieve his goals. Then he dedicated his life so others, like him, could live a full life and achieve their goals. Even when David lost the use of his arms, he never stopped pushing for better policies that would make life easier for not just people with disabilities, but everyone. David once told his sister she was ‘temporarily’ able bodied. Someday, she would grow old, and moving through life would become more challenging. Anyone over fifty can certainly relate to this. When David lost his ability to speak, his voice became even stronger. David was not a loud man. He was polite, respectful, and he understood that a steady, consistent voice forced people to lean in and listen. His incredible intellect and engaging sense of humour was disarming, and his persistent message inspired others to join forces and achieve great things.
A man who could not walk, move his arms or speak needed help, so David asked for help. And, he would be the first to tell you that he could not have accomplished so much without it. Family came first with parents who refused to walk away from their disabled infant son and who fought to see that David got what he needed to not only live, but thrive. David was also blessed with a large extended family who could be called upon for assistance and encouragement. Eighteen years ago, David met his most fierce champion his wife Yolanda. David would not have made it to the age of sixty without the help of a myriad of doctors, nurses and medical support staff. David challenged the team at the Rehabilitation Engineering Department at the HSC many times forcing them to invent ‘gadgets’ that allowed him to be more independent. He also appreciated the assistance he received from various government agencies such as the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority who, with David’s help, created the Self-Directed Care Program. David found teachers and mentors who were willing to push him intellectually and feed his passion for life long learning. Through his work, David was supported by dedicated colleagues, many becoming dear friends. David was also encouraged and inspired by those he worked with on various boards and organizations who gave selflessly of their time and expertise for others. To get things done you have to get out of bed in the morning, and that job, and many others, fell on David’s attendants, although he preferred to call them friends. David was fiercely independent and without the help of these phenomenal individuals, he could not have achieved so much professionally and personally.
David travelled. His passion for the open road started as a child when his family would go on long car trips with a trailer in tow. As an adult, David travelled all over North America dipping his wheels in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. He also went on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera. This would not have been possible without David’s wife, Yolanda and his incredible friends: Jake Giesbrecht, Marc Carney, Jorge Zetino, Arthur Ladd, Nick Madrid, Abdoulaye Mbaye, Jason Vandenbrink, Charlie Roach, Morley Tichborne and Brian Burkhardt.
David liked to read; he loved animals, music, movies, art, history and the theatre. David was a foodie and even though he could not cook, he liked to be in the kitchen giving orders. David was competitive and enjoyed playing chess and Trivial Pursuit. He was a huge sports fan! David, a hometown boy, supported the Winnipeg Jets and the Blue Bombers. Years ago, they allow disabled people to sit on the sidelines of the football games. This appealed to David’s dangerous side. Far too many times his father would have to jump in the way to protect him from an incoming football. David’s team in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills. If the Bills win the Superbowl this year, David will be celebrating. Of that, we can be sure.
David Neil Martin is survived by his loving wife of fifteen years, Yolanda; his mother, Glenda Sly; sister, Kelly Martin; brother-in-law, Michael Testolin; nephew, Corbin Martin; and special friend, Reg Buss. David is predeceased by his father, Kenneth Neil Martin.
David would remind us that we all have value and that we all have the ability to make a difference. Our loss is great, but the impact David has made is even greater. We should all strive to do the same.
Instead of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities to honour David’s commitment to helping others:
Siloam Mission of Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Christmas Cheer Board
The Winnipeg Humane Society
Canadian Ukraine Foundation
Please join David’s family in celebrating his life on Wednesday, September 14th at 2pm at the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Neil Martin on September 7th, 2022.
David was born on November 14th, 1961 in France while his father, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was stationed there. David’s family returned to Canada in 1963 after David was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. David’s family lived in Toronto and then Edmonton where David attended Glenrose School Hospital, a segregated institution for children with disabilities, and finally settled in Winnipeg where he was integrated into the public school system. David attended Hedges Junior High School and Sturgeon Creek Secondary School. David went on to study Political Science at the University of Winnipeg graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1983. Years later he completed a three-year management program at the University of Manitoba by attending evening courses.
David’s commitment and determination to make Manitoba a better place for people with disabilities began with The Manitoba League of the Physically Handicapped, later to become the Manitoba League of Person’s with Disabilities. As the Provincial Coordinator for seventeen years, David was integral in helping to improve transportation and homecare services as well as making significant strides in making the province more accessible. David left the MLPD in 2000 to take a job as the Managing Director of Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. He worked there for four years until he accepted a position with the Manitoba Government as the Executive Director of the Disabilities Issues Office. In this position, David reported directly to the Minister and was responsible for leading the government’s strategy on people with disabilities. Although health issues forced David to leave this position prematurely, David was able to return to work in 2010. With the help of assistive communication technology, David took on the position of Senior Advisor on Disability Issues.
David’s work and influence extended beyond provincial boarders to include many parts of Canada and the world including the United States, Ukraine and West Indies.
David also served on many boards and different organizations including: The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada; Equality Rights Advisory Committee for the Court Challenges Program of Canada; National Council with Council of Canadians with Disabilities; Reaching E-Quality Employment Services; Winnipeg Regional Housing Authority; The Independent Living Resource Centre and many others.
David was recognized with many awards celebrating his accomplishments, but he was particularly proud of The Distinguished Alumni Awards he received from his former high school and the University of Winnipeg, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
David never walked. He went from a stroller to a wheelchair, but he never stopped moving forward to live a full life and to achieve his goals. Then he dedicated his life so others, like him, could live a full life and achieve their goals. Even when David lost the use of his arms, he never stopped pushing for better policies that would make life easier for not just people with disabilities, but everyone. David once told his sister she was ‘temporarily’ able bodied. Someday, she would grow old, and moving through life would become more challenging. Anyone over fifty can certainly relate to this. When David lost his ability to speak, his voice became even stronger. David was not a loud man. He was polite, respectful, and he understood that a steady, consistent voice forced people to lean in and listen. His incredible intellect and engaging sense of humour was disarming, and his persistent message inspired others to join forces and achieve great things.
A man who could not walk, move his arms or speak needed help, so David asked for help. And, he would be the first to tell you that he could not have accomplished so much without it. Family came first with parents who refused to walk away from their disabled infant son and who fought to see that David got what he needed to not only live, but thrive. David was also blessed with a large extended family who could be called upon for assistance and encouragement. Eighteen years ago, David met his most fierce champion his wife Yolanda. David would not have made it to the age of sixty without the help of a myriad of doctors, nurses and medical support staff. David challenged the team at the Rehabilitation Engineering Department at the HSC many times forcing them to invent ‘gadgets’ that allowed him to be more independent. He also appreciated the assistance he received from various government agencies such as the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority who, with David’s help, created the Self-Directed Care Program. David found teachers and mentors who were willing to push him intellectually and feed his passion for life long learning. Through his work, David was supported by dedicated colleagues, many becoming dear friends. David was also encouraged and inspired by those he worked with on various boards and organizations who gave selflessly of their time and expertise for others. To get things done you have to get out of bed in the morning, and that job, and many others, fell on David’s attendants, although he preferred to call them friends. David was fiercely independent and without the help of these phenomenal individuals, he could not have achieved so much professionally and personally.
David travelled. His passion for the open road started as a child when his family would go on long car trips with a trailer in tow. As an adult, David travelled all over North America dipping his wheels in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. He also went on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera. This would not have been possible without David’s wife, Yolanda and his incredible friends: Jake Giesbrecht, Marc Carney, Jorge Zetino, Arthur Ladd, Nick Madrid, Abdoulaye Mbaye, Jason Vandenbrink, Charlie Roach, Morley Tichborne and Brian Burkhardt.
David liked to read; he loved animals, music, movies, art, history and the theatre. David was a foodie and even though he could not cook, he liked to be in the kitchen giving orders. David was competitive and enjoyed playing chess and Trivial Pursuit. He was a huge sports fan! David, a hometown boy, supported the Winnipeg Jets and the Blue Bombers. Years ago, they allow disabled people to sit on the sidelines of the football games. This appealed to David’s dangerous side. Far too many times his father would have to jump in the way to protect him from an incoming football. David’s team in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills. If the Bills win the Superbowl this year, David will be celebrating. Of that, we can be sure.
David Neil Martin is survived by his loving wife of fifteen years, Yolanda; his mother, Glenda Sly; sister, Kelly Martin; brother-in-law, Michael Testolin; nephew, Corbin Martin; and special friend, Reg Buss. David is predeceased by his father, Kenneth Neil Martin.
David would remind us that we all have value and that we all have the ability to make a difference. Our loss is great, but the impact David has made is even greater. We should all strive to do the same.
Instead of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following charities to honour David’s commitment to helping others:
Siloam Mission of Winnipeg
The Winnipeg Christmas Cheer Board
The Winnipeg Humane Society
Canadian Ukraine Foundation
Please join David’s family in celebrating his life on Wednesday, September 14th at 2pm at the Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street.