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Visionary, Patron, Friend – Euan MacDonald, MBE
When we heard the news of Euan MacDonald’s passing yesterday, the night grew colder, and our hearts heavied with the loss of our cherished patron and friend. So, to wake to a brilliant blue sky – this perfect summer’s day – felt poetic in a way; the sun brought much needed respite from the miserable weather of the past few days, and in the warmth of this light it became harder to hold on to the sorrow of last night.
I can’t help but think it was Euan’s love for Fife that rose in the night to calm the sky, gifting us this beautiful day as a way to ease the pain of his absence, and to remind us his death is but a moment in a myriad – it is his long life and the extraordinary things he did with it which we remember today.
His dedication to building a better world for people with disabilities has always been an inspiration to us, here at Homelands, and we are so lucky to have been able to work with him these past years.
Five years ago, Euan opened the inclusive play park on Lundin Links Common, and we’d like to share a part of his speech with you:
“I'm obviously delighted that inclusion has been a priority in your planning. It's important that bit by bit the barriers that are placed in front of disabled people can be removed. All it takes is the right attitude and determination, which you have shown in abundance.
I'm also delighted to be here is because I love Fife. Thanks to Homelands I can come here every year to stay, just as I did as a child. I may be a bit big now for the swings, but I know this park will provide the kids here with hours of fun.”
And he was right – it does take determination and the right attitude to bring down these barriers, but it also takes great courage and selflessness, which Euan embodied throughout his life, and it is because of this that so many people mourn today.
His kindness touched the lives of thousands and will continue to do so through the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research at the University of Edinburgh, which he established with his father in 2007. And, in 2013, alongside his sister, Kiki, Euan co-founded the charity, Euan’s Guide: a disabled access review website used by hundreds of thousands of disabled people to review, share and discover accessible places to visit.
We had the privilege of seeing Euan just last week when he came to stay with us for his birthday, as he has done every August for several years. Staying in Drummochy, his favourite lodge, he celebrated his 50th birthday: another testament to his remarkable determination. He simply was a remarkable man, and he will be sorely missed.
Our thoughts and hearts are with his family and friends during this sad time.
