So, Where to Start?
At the very beginning one supposes. Ewan was born in 1991, he was born at 28 weeks, very prematurely, weighing only 1lb 2oz. He was born in the Princess Mary maternity hospital in Jesmond and was always a proud Geordie. Overcoming all odds, a fighter from the start he went on to be a kind considerate boy with an endearing smile. Even at primary school I can remember sitting on a bus with him talking about the nativity play, his friend Tito, as the only black kid in the school was forever one of the three kings, and him saying "Mam, we live in a very white place don’t we?"
He was a bright, intelligent boy who always had a flair for Music and Art, and despite his deafness and a school career that sadly involved a great deal of bullying he went on to achieve 2:1 in Animation at Northumbria University.
He struggled for years with his deafness; fighting to be a part of a hearing world that most often failed to appreciate the isolation and wearing nature of the condition. He refused to let it define him, travelling the world for a year on his own, making friends and creating films and music with people wherever he went. He loved Japan, and made some lasting friends there, steadfastly refusing to allow the isolation he felt his deafness brought to defeat him.
Towards the end of his devastatingly short life he had taken up sign language and was attending a number of deaf clubs locally. He had, I think, come to terms with his deafness, and realised that there was a whole community he could connect with, who actually knew how he felt from their own experience.
Ewan was a very socially conscious and caring man. He deploye racism or discrimination of any sort. He was brave and imaginative in his many protests. Kicking David Cameron’s car led to his first arrest, despite my telling Davy Ellis under no circumstances to let him get arrested Ewan would always fearlessly go his own way. He was a bold campaigner for animal rights, a vegan and supporter of the Hunt Monitors who still use his artwork to fund raise for their cause.
He was an enthusiastic film maker and musician. His stickers spread like hot cakes, espousing anarchist and anti racist ideas. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Star and Shadow and would enthusiastically discuss points, with all groups. He read widely and was growing into an idealistic and socially aware supporter of a number of causes.
He wasn’t just an idealist however, he gave unsparingly of what he had to help homeless people, taking food and drink from BSL meetings to give to anyone who looked in need following them. He stopped to talk to people, that many would pass by in the street asking about their lives, and giving his own time to listen.
He wasn’t just an idealist however, he gave unsparingly of what he had to help homeless people, taking food and drink from BSL meetings to give to anyone who looked in need following them. He stopped to talk to people, that many would pass by in the street asking about their lives, and giving his own time to listen.
He also loved a good time and was an enthusiastic festival, gig and party attender. He liked to perform in public too, and the chip tune music gave him an outlet for that.he could play keyboards and guitar pretty well, and had been known to lead a singalong at the piano in the Cumberland Arms!
We Lost Ewan
We lost Ewan following a mental health crisis when he was let down with devastating consequences by the mental health services and treated appallingly by Northumbria Police. When he went missing I don’t think that anyone who was involved in that search will ever forget how heartrending it was. His friend Toby, who found him passed away has my everlasting gratitude. Ewan didn’t end his own life, he lost it when he was ill and his mind gone somewhere we couldn’t reach. He was drowned in the tunnels of the Ouseburn showing signs of hypothermia. I don’t give this information lightly, or to distress any of his friends but to make it crystal clear that Ewan was a fighter to the end.
If you’re attending our Bookfair or just want to know what our stalls are about this short statement will, I hope, help you to understand how Ewan had such a big impact in so many people’s lives and in such a variety of ways, he was a committed antifascist and anarchist, and a song proponent of veganism and animal rights, he was funny and kind, and for all his physical deafness someone with infinite patience for listening.
Only Rebels Win
