"The Interview Project" Featuring Sue Morgan

Celebrating Sue Morgan

Volunteering is a part of Sue Morgan's life

(this photo is of Sue taking the LRT to the Kitchener Public Library)

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WHAT VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT IN YOUR LIFE?

Since she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis almost 30 years ago, Sue Morgan has been passionate about advocacy for people with disabilities. For many years, she volunteered with the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region working in various capacities, including chair of the board for five years. She has been a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Kitchener Seniors, and served on the city’s Barrier Free Advisory Committee.

As a person who uses a wheelchair, Sue is intimately familiar with issues associated with accessibility. She has used her warmth, wit, and persistent style to influence decisions in the city and Region to make accessibility a priority.

Her advocacy and volunteering extended beyond accessibility issues to service on the boards of the Centre in the Square and the Kitchener Public Library.

WHAT ASPECTS OF SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO HELP IN THESE WAYS?

Sue’s passion for volunteerism grew out of her own disability. Knowing too well the obstacles that she faced using her wheelchair, she wanted to do her best to make life easier for others in similar situations. Over the years, her steady but quiet insistence with local governments to improve accessibility has had several impacts. When she saw that she could have some influence, she was spurred on to become more involved with community agencies to promote ease of access for all citizens.

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WOULD NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Sue seemed to think that she was already an “open book”. There weren’t many secrets about her life that people were unaware of. One of her greatest passions has been reading (evidenced by her work with the Kitchener Public Library). Even with her eyesight beginning to be challenging, Sue continues to love to read.

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT FUTURE GENERATIONS TO KNOW ABOUT THESE EFFORTS? WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE WITH THEM?

When people retire and find that they have time on their hands, they need to find something in the community that interests them. What can they do to help? To teach? To lead? To advocate for? Volunteerism, according to Sue Morgan, enlarges one’s daily life. In an article in the KW Record from July 2012, Sue said, “Volunteering is like eating peanuts. You can never just take one. You have to take a whole handful.”

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROCESS OF AGING THAT YOU FEEL IS CURRENTLY MISUNDERSTOOD WITHIN SOCIETY?

Ageing is not about declining physical health. Ageing is about remaining active, intellectually stimulated, and pursuing your interests. And if you can, pursue interests that benefit others.

WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

Sue Morgan loved her work with the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region. Her involvement with the Centre was a springboard to engagement with other agencies and community committees with a continual focus on accessibility issues. From walking trails to parks, sidewalk accessibility to ION stations, library leadership to arts involvement, Sue Morgan has had an impact on many aspects of life in the Region of Waterloo. She wouldn’t label these as achievements as she didn’t work alone. However, her voice and influence can be felt in many civic projects over the last 20 years.

WHAT DOES AGE MEAN TO YOU?

Sue said that she doesn’t think about age. At almost 81 years old, she has been and continues to be busy with her accessibility projects designed to enhance the life of others.

Jocelyn Vieth