United Flight 93 Passenger, Advocate for the Disabled. Ms. Colleen L. Fraser, 51, resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey had a lifelong fear of flying. In spite of her fear, she was headed to a professional seminar on the morning of September 11, 2001. During her shortened lifetime, she accomplished more than she ever imagined when she was a a little girl or even a young adult. Born with a serious bone disorder, she was barely over four feet tall and had numerous surgeries during childhood to help her walk even though with a cane. In spite of her disability, she graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick campus, in 1974. Six years later, she got her first job as a counselor at a social service agency. The man who hired her actually had to talk her into taking the job, which was to help mentally challenged adults find jobs and housing. She did well. Over the next 21 years, she became the foremost advocate for the disabled in New Jersey. For the two years prior to her death she was the executive director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living in Ewing, New Jersey. She was also the vice chairperson of the New Jersey Disability Council and board president of Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She was known nationwide for her commitment to enhance the lives of the disabled through the passage of appropriate legislation. When former President George Bush (1989 to 1993) signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, he invited Ms. Fraser to the White House to bear witness to the historic legislation. Just a week before she died, she was the leader of a group lobbying in Washington for better housing for the disabled. Her main goal was to promote good housing outside of institutions. She was survived by her sister, brother, stepmother, two stepsisters, and five stepbrothers.
United Flight 93 Passenger, Advocate for the Disabled. Ms. Colleen L. Fraser, 51, resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey had a lifelong fear of flying. In spite of her fear, she was headed to a professional seminar on the morning of September 11, 2001. During her shortened lifetime, she accomplished more than she ever imagined when she was a a little girl or even a young adult. Born with a serious bone disorder, she was barely over four feet tall and had numerous surgeries during childhood to help her walk even though with a cane. In spite of her disability, she graduated from Rutgers University, New Brunswick campus, in 1974. Six years later, she got her first job as a counselor at a social service agency. The man who hired her actually had to talk her into taking the job, which was to help mentally challenged adults find jobs and housing. She did well. Over the next 21 years, she became the foremost advocate for the disabled in New Jersey. For the two years prior to her death she was the executive director of the Progressive Center for Independent Living in Ewing, New Jersey. She was also the vice chairperson of the New Jersey Disability Council and board president of Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She was known nationwide for her commitment to enhance the lives of the disabled through the passage of appropriate legislation. When former President George Bush (1989 to 1993) signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, he invited Ms. Fraser to the White House to bear witness to the historic legislation. Just a week before she died, she was the leader of a group lobbying in Washington for better housing for the disabled. Her main goal was to promote good housing outside of institutions. She was survived by her sister, brother, stepmother, two stepsisters, and five stepbrothers.
