We at Imagine are very sorry to report the loss Ricky Cole from this world. He was a unique caregiver who helped create a true, loving and empowering family as part of Imagine. Beyond our own loss, we note the greater loss suffered by Ricky’s partner of a decade and husband of only a few months, Russell. We note the loss suffered by David, who thrived with Ricky and Russell. We mourn that such a wonderful example of three people bringing the best out in each other was separated. A favorite story of mine: Soon after I came to work at Imagine I was killing time before an appointment and walked into Best Buy. Across the store was a young man, obviously a young man with developmental disabilities who was running zig-zags around the store looking at things, driven by curiosity, uninhibited by worry, sharing his community as a full member. I thought to myself that I wished to take a movie of him to show the staff at Imagine what success in SLS can look like. The trouble was it felt disrespectful to take a movie without consent. Then I noticed Ricky and Russell, who I had already met smiling back at me. A big part of the work we do is humility towards the people we serve and their neighbors. Ricky, Russell and David humbled me by already being what I wanted to show them they could be. On the other hand, at least I could have gotten the consent for the video. We continue to celebrate Ricky’s life, the one he shared with Russell and with David. We will look to Ricky’s husband for leadership in how to celebrate Ricky formally and watch this space for news on that. Ricky was an inspiring colleague, an expressive artist, a good friend, a grateful husband and a great time could be had just being in his orbit. Rest in peace, friend. Well watch out for those you left behind.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:55:18 +0000
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