Donalda "Donna" Karlin Crawford

Well known, respected, loved and advocate for persons with disabilities, Donalda “Donna” Karlin (McLaughlin) Crawford, of Ford Street, Halifax, passed, aged 69, Monday, October 4 at the QE II (Halifax Infirmary site).

Let me tell you about this wonderful woman, who was my mother:

Donalda (“Donna” to her friends; “Sister” to her parents and brother) was born August 13, 1941 at the Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro, Nova Scotia. She was the only daughter of the late Evelyn Jean (Harvey) and Lee Alton McLaughlin. She was also predeceased by several close friends and her beloved feline, Miss Fang.

Donalda was raised in Dartmouth and graduated from Dartmouth High School. She married and moved to Ontario, but later returned to her family, divorced and a single mother, settled in Halifax/Dartmouth. She worked at the Halifax Dockyard and later as an Executive Assistant to the President, Dalhousie University. Her career at the university gave her several close, lifetime friends, including her daughter’s future godparents.

In 1969, while working at Dalhousie, Donalda experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury, not caused by an accident--spinal cord arachnoiditis, at the T5 level of her spinal cord, which lead to permanent paralysis. In 1971, she travelled alone to the University of London hospital for her first spinal surgery, with an unknown outcome, leaving her young daughter in the care of her parents and friends.

In 1974, she travelled with the Nova Scotia team to Winnipeg and participated in the 6th National Wheelchair Games and brought home a trophy for Public Speaking. She loved to play the piano and bowl prior to her spinal cord injury, winning many trophies for her ‘strikes and spares’ and continued to bowl from her wheelchair.

In June 1976, the Dalhousie community demonstrated its commitment to and support of Donalda by fundraising to provide her first power chair and presented it to her in a public ceremony. The maintenance staff also built a desk for Donalda to use at home upon her retirement from the university.

In 1985, the Canadian Paraplegic Association (CPA) (Nova Scotia Division) honoured Donalda with the Arthur D. Stairs Award. This award was initiated in 1961 to publicly acknowledge a person who exemplifies the courage, self-confidence and determination needed to overcome the physical limitations imposed by accident or disease to the spinal cord. This award was designated for someone with initiative, persistence and a competitive spirit, who can inspire and lead others by their example.

In 1999, Donalda had another serious and risky spinal cord surgery to reduce the growth of and resulting pain from a syrinx; this lead to 14 months’ hospitalization, including intensive care, and physical rehabilitation.

In January 2001, CPA once again recognized Donalda’s contributions with an Honorary Life Membership, awarded to only one or two persons/year, in appreciation for her exceptional dedication as a volunteer and her devoted service to CPA.

Donalda served on the Board of Directors for CPA Nova Scotia from 2006-2009.

On March 30, 2010, in celebration of its 65th anniversary, at its annual CHAIR-ITY Dinner and Auction, CPA recognized 65 Nova Scotians with a spinal cord injury or permanent mobility disability who truly live their lives to the fullest—Donalda was one of them. She received a framed certificate and citation, presented to her by Premier Darrell Dexter and Mayann E. Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

Her advocacy work included conceptualizing accessible transportation in Halifax, which materialized into Access-A-Bus; she co-founded/Chaired the Disabled Individuals Alliance (D.I.A.L.); she Chaired the Building Committee for another consumer-based organization, Homes For Independent Living (H.I.L.), which she conceptualized the design and transformation of the former Ida Mae Marriott school into a six unit, fully accessible apartment building in Halifax, for persons who use wheelchairs to live independently.

At her most recent residence, Donalda served as Secretary on the Executive Committee of the MacDonald-Laurier Place. She enjoyed the residence’s social activities, and spending time with her family. We celebrated her last birthday by spending the day on the Halifax waterfront, at her request.

Donalda truly emulated CPA’s mission: “To assist persons with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities achieve independence, self reliance and full community participation.” Throughout her life, she never bemoaned “Why me?” She made her life look easy to those on the outside, looking in.

When asked what was her greatest achievement in life? Donalda replied “my daughter.”

Donalda is survived by her only child, Tanya Lynn (Dan MacKinnon); her only sibling, her big brother, William (“Billy/Guillaume”) McLaughlin and his wife, Gail; 3 nephews: godson William (Billy) McLaughlin, Jimmy McLaughlin, Michael McLaughlin and their families.

Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Thanksgiving Monday, October 11 at Snow’s Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

You are invited to a reflection and celebration of thanks service of this remarkable woman’s life, 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 12, Snow’s Funeral Home, officiated by Reverend Dr. Russell Daye, followed by a reception. Burial will then follow in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens, 767 Main Street, Dartmouth, where she will be laid to rest, in peace, next to her parents.

Yellow roses were Donalda’s favourite and gifts of same only would be appreciated.

A fund will be established in the spirit of Donalda to enable women in Nova Scotia who incur a spinal cord injury to continue their education, pursue their career ambitions and to live one’s life to its fullest. Donations to the fund or to advance spinal cord research may be forwarded to the Canadian Paraplegic Association (Nova Scotia Division) at http://www.thespine.ca or alternatively, to Bide-A-While Animal Shelter (http://www.bideawhile.org/) or a charity of your choice.

Sincere appreciation to all the doctors, and especially the nurses on 4.2, for your compassionate care of Donalda.

Let us close with one of Donalda’s favourite prayers, the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

Courage, to change the things I can; and,

Wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you for being my mum; until we meet again in heaven, love you forever.

Online condolences may be made to Donalda’s family via www.jasnowfuneralhome.com