Aug 31, 1948 - Nov 25, 2008

Dan Arkin, age 60, passed away November 25, 2008 of natural causes.

Dan was born August 31st, 1948, in Los Angeles, California to Patricia and Sanford Arkin. He has resided in Eugene since 1999. He is survived by his daughter Jennifer Arkin of Riverside, California; his mother Patricia Arkin and brother Raymond Arkin, both of Eugene; and his sister Laurie Johnson of Pound Ridge, New York.

Dan was a retired attorney and volunteer advocate, particularly for numerous disability-related issues and causes. A Quadriplegic since the age of 17, Dan was a role model and inspiration to the disabled community, and touched the lives of all who knew him. 

He was a founding member of the Lane Independent Living Alliance, a consumer-controlled organization serving persons with a range of disabilities in Lane County to enhance options which maximize independent living. He was also actively involved in the Nobel Peace Laureate Project, a grass roots organization in Eugene, Oregon, created to promote peace by honoring and inspiring American peacemakers.

It was Dan's wish that there be no funeral or ceremony; rather, he wanted family and friends to arrange to gather together at an informal party (or more than one) at a later date to say their goodbyes and remember him.

Donations in Dan's honor can be made to:

Lane Independent Living Alliance
99 W. 10th St, Eugene, OR 97401

Dan Arkin has been a strong young man, striding confidently towards the future. And he’s been a successful lawyer. He just hasn’t been both at the same time.

"In the blink of an eye, I changed from an ordinary white male teen into some kind of second-class ‘minority,’" says Arkin, who became a quadriplegic — just weeks shy of high-school graduation — when a car in which he and his fishing buddies were riding flipped over.

Arkin, who went on to college and Loyola Law School and who now advises on disability issues, has a message for his fellow lawyers: You are us.

"It could happen to anybody at any time," Arkin, who lives in Eugene, says of becoming disabled. "Everyone is disabled at some point in life, even if it’s merely via old age. Any client you represent may have an unidentified — yet relevant — disability, so you need to know how to interact without being offensive or feeling uncomfortable yourself."

What do lawyers need to know about representing disabled persons? The Bulletin asked lawyers and other experts on disability to answer some basic questions.

2008 Janine Robben

To read the full article click on the link below:

https://www.osbar.org/publications/bulletin/08febmar/YouAreUs.html