VALE
WFD Honorary Board Member Mr Lars-Åke Wikström 1943 – 2018
WFD Honorary Board Member Mr Lars-Åke Wikström passed away in Ystad, Sweden on 5 May 2018. The WFD expresses its deepest condolences to his family and the Deaf Community of Sweden, on his passing.
Mr Wikström was involved in the WFD Board for sixteen years from 1987 until 2003. He served as Vice President in 1987-1991 and again in 1995-1999. In Sweden, Mr Wikström was involved in the Swedish National Association of the Deaf for decades of which he was president from 1992 until 2009. During Mr Wikström’s leadership the Swedish National Association of the Deaf contributed to the Global South through development co-operation projects to support national associations of the deaf.
Mr Wikström was an influential figure in the Nordic Deaf Community to promote deaf awareness and pride of using sign language. Mr Wikström considered education of deaf people and their real and equal representation as the key for achieving human rights. He was internationally known for his advocacy work to empower deaf people to represent themselves and seek respect for sign languages.
The WFD honours his legacy by continuing to work to achieve dreams of Mr Wikström to see deaf people and sign languages as equal around the world.
EDITORIAL UPDATES (22 MAY 2018) – DONATIONS TO THE WFD IN MEMORY OF MR LARS-ÅKE WIKSTRÖM
At the request of Mr Wikström’s family, we share the details of the memorial service:
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“Our dear Father Lars-Åke Wikström born on July 20th 1943 passed away on May 5th 2018.
Beloved father, grandfather and friend, and a dedicated champion of deaf rights.
You will be missed.
Åsa and Johan with families
Friends and relatives
Service in Klosterkyrkan, Ystad, 29th May at 2.00 p.m. and the memorial afterwards at Siriusorden.
Memorial donations may be made, if desired, to the WFD Fighting Fund.”
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The WFD is honoured to continue the legacy of Mr Wikström who advocated relentlessly to ensure that sign languages are seen equal and deaf people are included in society. Your contribution will carry on Mr Wikström’s legacy; fighting to break the cycle of being abused, ignored, silenced and excluded just for being deaf. You can continue Mr Wilkström’s legacy by donating to the WFD Fighting Fund via https://wfdeaf.org/donate/