English

(15 February 1999) — In an action the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL), calls appropriate, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal recently overturned a lower court's unprecedented two year sentence given to Robert Latimer for killing his daughter, Tracy, who had cerebral palsy. Latimer had been convicted of second-degree murder, but the judge created an exemption to the mandatory 10-year sentence and gave Latimer only two — only one of which to be served in prison.

(8 January 1999) — CCD is seeking to intervene in the Genereux case. In its affidavit, CCD outlined its general position on the Genereux case to the court. CCD's position is summarized below:

People with disabilities are frequently victimized by prejudicial, paternalistic and stereotypical ideas about the quality of our existence. This is true for people who are HIV positive and/or are living with AIDS and for people who depend on doctors and care givers for survival and nurturing.

Latimer Wins Case in Media

by Prof. Dick Sobsey, University of Alberta Abuse and Disability Project

A Father's Concerns

by Brian Stewart

Forty plus years ago my parents were told not to take me home. Those concerned for my parents' well being, the medical profession, could not see my life as being worth living. Born with Cerebral Palsy, their vision was that I would not have a future and they did not, would not, or could not, see a place in the community for me.

by Cal Lambeth (Winnipeg mother of a child with a disability)

I believe that this is a personal tragedy for the Latimer family as any domestic crime involving the loss of life would be a tragedy. Tracy Latimer is a tragic victim of misguided beliefs. But apart from the individuals involved, it stands as a case which can have serious implications for citizens of Canada, and particularly for citizens who have disabilities. In fact, it will measure the values of the society in which we live.

An interview with Catherine Frazee

Why is the Latimer case important?

The case brought into focus clearly the very wide gap between how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by the nondisabled majority. We are as content with our lives as is the nondisabled population. However, the nondisabled majority's perceptions about disablement are very distorted, seeing it as something greatly diminishing the quality of life.

Comments from a Vigil for Tracy Latimer

by Catherine Frazee

It's a simple question—why have all these people left their homes and their jobs to be here? Why have we made the considerable effort that it always takes for most of us to get anywhere in this big inaccessible country? Why are we huddled together out here in the February cold, sacrificing the comfort of our regular routines and risking our health?

Table of Contents

• Introduction by Hugh R.

A Life Cut Short

by Elizabeth Semkiw

Tracy Latimer was born on 23 November 1980. She had Cerebral Palsy and was the eldest of four children. Tracy lived on a farm with her family near Wilkie, Saskatchewan.