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New Mexico, U.S.A.

These are lamps in a world of gloom

EDITORIAL

October 24, 2002

In the daily drum  beat of dismal, in many cases absolutely frightening, news these days, it is all too easy to overlook the many truly uplifting human stories in our midst.

These are about people who brighten our community and all of our lives, who have dedicated their lives to making a difference for us. And they do.

Here are our most recent heroes that we recall to your attention for praise.

(excerpt)

An Insightful Writer

And finally, The Tribune's own Barbara McKee, an extraordinary newspaper columnist and courageous defender of the disabled and disadvantaged.

The 44-year-old McKee, who was born with spina bifida, last week was named the year's Best Disabled Journalist by VSA arts of New Mexico.

She has written commentaries for The Trib's Insight & Opinion section for about a year, but for two decades has been a poet, performer and an outspoken and exceptionally able disability activist. Her personal knowledge of the disability issues makes her voice true and her heart pure.

We can say it no better than did Deborah Mashibini, assistand director of the nonprofit gourp that is recognizing her: "She has fire inside of her." That fire has become a guiding light for Albuquerque.

Congratulations to McKee.... You make us proud.

McKee, who gets around in a wheelchair, is an Albuquerque writer, poet, performer and producer. She writes a column that runs in Insight & Opinion the third Thursday of every month.