[nagdu] Fresno Bee editorial on Ed

[Ed and Toni Eames]

At 10:05 AM 10/30/2009, you wrote:
>Toni:  Here is a copy pasted into the email.
>
>Jim
>
>
>
>Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
>
>EDITORIAL: Ed Eames removed barriers
>
>Ed Eames had a simple goal for our community. "He wanted a barrier-free
>Fresno." said his wife, Toni.
>
>Mr. Eames died Sunday at 79, leaving a legacy of making Fresno more
>accessible to residents with disabilities. Mr. Eames, who lost his sight
>at age 42, fought to improve bus service, lobbied for more sidewalks and
>battled against the growing trend of roundabouts and traffic circles in
>Fresno intersections because they make it difficult for the visually
>impaired to cross the street. Mr. Eames also founded an organization for
>people who use assistance dogs.
>
>He made a difference, and our community is better for his work.
>Community members who worked with him said Mr. Eames inspired those who
>provide services to the disabled to understand how crucial their
>services are. Paul Kwiatkowski, manager of Handy Ride, which provides
>transportation for disabled people, said Mr. Eames influenced
>improvements to the Handy Ride system.
>
>"He certainly helped improve the lives of people with disabilities in
>Fresno," Kwiatkowski said.
>
>Ed and Toni Eames had not intended to live in Fresno. In 1987, the
>couple came to Fresno to team-teach a class at California State
>University, Fresno, on the sociology of disabilities. Mr. Eames was on
>sabbatical from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City. They fell in
>love with Fresno and decided to retire here.
>Mr. Eames founded and was president of the International Association of
>Assistance Dog Partners and served on the Americans With Disabilities
>Act Advisory Committee for Fresno Area Express.
>
>He often wrote letters to The Bee on issues of importance to the
>disabled community. His latest was in opposition to a traffic circle
>proposed in the Tower District. He ended the letter this way: "As a
>blind person, I am stymied by traffic circles, and my volunteer drivers
>are no more fond of them than I! I have been told by traffic engineers
>that to safely cross, I must make eye contact with drivers who will then
>give me the right of way. Believing that would be tantamount to buying a
>bridge in Brooklyn!"
>
>Mr. Eames' impact on our community will be lasting, and we are indeed
>fortunate that he and his wife decided to make Fresno their home after
>teaching that class at Fresno State two decades ago.
>