We Remember...
Michael Imperiale, (June 18th
1937-October 10th, 2011) was a disability activist in New York City.
He had hemiplegia, and was born with a
 condition called dystonia. He was the
partner of the late Frieda Zames, who passed-away in 2005.
He was an infantryman, a front-line fighter. He was a long
time member of Disabled In Action (DIA) of New York City, an organization
founded by Judy Heumann in the 1970s.
Like a good soldier, Imperiale would do whatever was asked
of him, and do it well. Once, he lay in front of a NYC bus to keep it from
moving until the driver deployed the lift in the rear, and allowed Frieda to
get on the bus with her scooter. The NYC activist community lost a real
dedicated advocate. He was well liked and respected. We’re all saddened by
his loss
--Compiled from various sources |
