February 26, 1998
(Executive Council)

Premier honours the life of Debbie Prim

Premier Brian Tobin has asked that all flags in front of government buildings be flown at half mast in memory of Deborah Anne (Debbie) Prim, 39 years, who passed away Tuesday, February 24.

"Debbie will be remembered today as a well known and respected advocate for the disabled community in the province, the country and the world," said the premier. "She was an exceptional Newfoundlander, whose service to her fellow citizens and her community will be long remembered."

Debbie has been involved with every organization in the province advocating the rights of persons with disabilities. She has been the co-founder, president or director of organizations such as:

- the HUB Physically Disabled Service Centre
- Independent Living Resource Centre (formerly Civic #4)
- the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities
- the Community Alliance for Better Solutions
- Wheelchair Sport Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
- the Housing Integrated Project
- Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Division of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion World Tour
- Chair of Wheel-a-thon '96
- Coordinator of Provincial National Access Week
- Member of the provincial committee for providing eye glasses to Eastern Europe
- Chair of the Newfoundland Organizing committee for the Year of the Disabled
- Member of the Working Group on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
- Co-founder of the para-transit system for the cities of St. John's and Mount Pearl
- Member of the Post Polio Information Group
- Member of the Friends of Tracy Latimer Group
- Member of the Blue Zone Accessible Parking Group
- Member of the Working Advocacy Group for Economic Sustainability
- Member of the RNC Crime Prevention Committee
- Member of the Labatt 24 Hour Relay Committee

"Her smile was infectious and her counselling to newly disabled individuals was unique and very effective," said the premier. "She was in great demand for public speaking engagements and gave willingly to all who asked. She will be greatly missed."

Although her physical disability - caused by, in her words, "a bout with polio as a child" - restricted her to a motorized wheelchair, that didn't stop her from working as the receptionist with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary since 1981 and leading a very active and productive life. She was a medal winner at the National Wheelchair Games in Vancouver in 1973 and attended the games in 1976, 1977 and 1978 and the Pan American Games for the Disabled in Halifax in 1982. She was especially recognized in 1980 as the Newfoundland Disabled Person of the Year.

For the last year of her life, Debbie was kept very busy as the President of the Board of Directors of the HUB, Physically Disabled Service Centre and on the Sunday before her death had scheduled an organization meeting for a major initiative she had been planning for the HUB. That initiative will come to fruition as a tribute to Debbie who gave so much to those around her.

She will be resting at Barrett's Funeral Home until 10 p.m. this evening. A funeral service will be held at the Basilica, Friday, February 27 at 11 a.m. No flowers by request and donations in her memory may be made to the HUB or the Children's Rehabilitation Centre.

Contact, Heidi Bonnell, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3570.