FRIENDS and family of an inspirational disability rights campaigner have paid tribute to a woman who “fought all the way.”
Mother-of-two Tracy Yankowska, 47, from Colwyn Bay, died in hospital surrounded by her family last week. She had battled with spina bifida and a neck condition throughout her life and at the age of five her parents were told she would not live into adulthood.
Tracy’s son Andrew, 26, said his brave mother was an “amazing” woman, who overcame all odds to lead a full and happy life. He said: “She was very strong, independent, fiery. She was incredible. She fought all the way.”
Tracy was a member of the Disability Wales committee for three years and worked with Scope. Rhian Davies, chief executive of Disability Wales, said: “Tracy wanted people with disabilities to have control over their own lives. She loved seeing other people empowered and particularly campaigned for disabled women.
She wanted to start up a group for disabled women in Colwyn Bay, but it was quite challenging. Tracy was very articulate, passionate and always very thoughtful with her contributions,” she added.
Andrew said his mother had worked with Scope in 1994 and helped with groundbreaking work to change the name and relaunch the charity.
The disability rights campaigner leaves behind her three grandchildren Kyle, Harley and Amber, four brothers and four sisters.
Tracy’s sister Ruth Walker, 23, said: “She was always smiling and happy. In hospital she shouldn’t have been able to speak, her blood pressure was so low. It was a miracle, she was laughing and speaking. I will always remember that when I lost my partner it was a very traumatic time and she helped me through it. She was my best friend.”
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