Lydia Radic-Gutierrez, Esq. Memorial Web Page (1931~2001) Lydia was a HUGE advocate of accessibility rights of mobility impaired persons. She had suffered a spinal injury when she tripped over a door threshhold while working as a court reporter for the U.S. Army in Germany in the early 1970's. That injury made it necessary for her to use a wheelchair. She knew that what people take for granted can change drastically in a moment. Even a young strong, healthy teenager can suddenly become mobility impaired (either temporarily or permanently) when, say, for example, a simple mishap happens: skiing, diving, or slip-and-fall injury. Because of this fact, Lydia pushed for access around "architectural barriers" (such as putting in ramps to go the same places staircases go). Advocacy of equal access as a human right was an important issue for her. She realized that this was not just a "special interest" issue for certain sub-groups or marginalized disabled communities, but was indeed a central and vital issue for EVERYONE. Thus, she was heard to say, in speeches, on more than one occasion: "Yesterday I walked. Tomorrow you may not." Remember to include access in all of your plans. You may find one day that you have provided for a time when (hopefully on a merely temporary basis) even you will need such access, and are not barred from entry into your own home, office, or other important venues. One of the main purposes of this web page is not only to memorialize a wonderful person who became a grandma, who went to law school, and became a lawyer, and had many friends. Perhaps THE CENTRAL PURPOSE of this web page is to remember, promote, and advance Lydia's wisdom and advocacy on the issue of accessiblity to mobility impaired persons of publicly funded transportation, buildings, sidewalks, entrances, and exits. Note: what if that venture capitalist, powerful politician, or future in-law of your dream mate shows up on your doorstep in a wheelchair, or on crutches, and CAN'T GET IN to see you? How many times will opportunity knock? Think about it. >Wise persons will include accessibility to their plans, even if they are intended purely for private use (such as a private residence). Consider this: you may build a huge luxurious palace, and then stub your toe or have some other injury or illness which seems serious (or minor) at the time, but which may somehow interfere with your ability to get into, and out of your palace, and then where are you? Think about it. Lydia had addressed that problem, and lived in a wheelchair accessible home. Most people do not think about it until something happens which affects them personally. We would all do would do well to think of it (for one's self, and others) BEFORE it ("God forbid!") becomes an issue. Remember that ramps also accommodate not just wheelchairs, but also skateboards, baby strollers, delivery carts, rollerskates, and anything else on wheels, etc. We should all advocate for accessibility. It may be someday we provided for ourselves, or someone we love very much. END OF TEXT SECTION ON LYDIA'S ADVOCACY OF DISABILITY RIGHTS BEGINNING OF SECTION ON LYDIA'S POETRY: Lydia's prize-winning poem published in the 1940's* "God's Clean Sheet" "I do a mental sum each night, before I go to bed, of things I did -- and meant to do, of things I thought and said. Some of the things I did were good, and some were not, but then tonight I'll square myself with God, Tomorrow? Start again!" - Lydia Radich (also later known as Lydia Radic-Gutierrez, Esq., a California lawyer.) Comments? Memories? To send e-mail to the webmaster CLICK HERE Content (text writing) on this page is (c) 2003 by the Lydia Radic-Gutierrez Memorial Web page at www.lrg.8m.com. The writing may be disseminated freely in furtherance of the cause of human rights and equal accessibility of everyone, including disabled persons, and also in memory of Lydia. We ask only that you credit Lydia's memory, and refer to this memorial web page at www.lrg.8m.com as the source of the text. The phrase "Yesterday I walked, tomorrow you may not." may be quoted as being a quote from Lydia Radic-Gutierrez, Esq. without reference to this page. *The poem "God's Clean Sheet" may have been originally copyrighted by a magazine, but when the magazine which Lydia had indicated was the publisher was contacted, they could not find any copy of it in their archives at the time, saying that poems were used as "filler" and were not indexed. This poem was recited by Lydia and transcribed with her permission from her oral recitation. We are thankful for Lydia's friendship, and the gift of her poetry. This transcription may be freely disseminated as long as authorship is attributed to "Lydia Radich" or "Lydia Radic-Gutierrez, Esq." This transcription of the poet's recitation is (c) 2003 by the Lydia Radic-Gutierrez Memorial Web page at www.lrg.8m.com. Postscript: Here is a quote that could have been written to describe Lydia. QUOTE: This is the true joy in life. The being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. . . . The being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. -- G B Shaw. She was a force of nature, achieved much, had many ailments and grievances, but was not preoccupied with them. She was relentlessly cheerful, and despite interrruptions & distractions she knew how to stay on task. She was appointed to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, by the famous and beloved Mayor Moscone, who nicknamed her his pile driver, (a machine that hammers posts into the ground by relentless and continuous effort), because she was a dependable worker & achiever. To send e-mail to der Vebmeishter* of this page CLICK HERE *Anybody remember the Katzenjammer Kidz comic strip in the funnies? Lydia would remember.