This morning (July 6) I was sad to read that Ing Wong-Ward died of cancer-related complications. I had known Ing since we were in the second grade. Though we did not remain close, we did reconnect when we were adults. Ing and I both (separately) graduated from Ryerson's journalism school, and I followed her career at CBC with great interest. Ing and I worked together when she joined the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT). She was involved as its Associate Director for a couple of years before she became ill. Ing was a fierce, tough and compassionate advocate for people with disabilities who refused to let obstacles and ableist attitudes get in her way. This is how I will always remember her.
