Eva Middleton

Eva Narcisa Middleton (c. 1953 - March 25, 2018) was a Belizean disability rights activist. Middleton started working with non-governmental organizations promoting breastfeeding and was also a polyclinic administrator. In 2010, she started working with the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) where she helped increase membership and became the "voice and face of BAPDA." Middleton also started an organization to help the elderly, Living Independently in Full Existence (LIFE).

Biography

Middleton was born in Punta Gorda.[1] She lived in Lake Independence and was involved in various community activities and was a co-founder of Breast is Best (BIB).[1][2] BIB helped promote breastfeeding with new mothers, provided information and breast pump rental.[3] She also worked in San Antonio, Cayo as a polyclinic administrator.[4]

Middleton returned to Belize City in 2010 and began to work as a disability rights activist.[5] Middleton became a leader and driving force behind the disability rights organization, the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA).[6] Middleton turned BAPDA, a dormant organization, into one that had around 400 members.[5] She was considered the "voice and face of BAPDA," according to BAPDA president, Roxanne Anthony Marin.[6] As an advocate, she made multiple calls to Belize morning shows, sharing various activities carried out by BAPDA.[1] She was known for her lectures during Disability Week.[5] Middleton helped organize prosthesis clinics in Belize with BAPDA, partnering with Prosthetic Hope International Belize.[7] Middleton herself was an amputee and had a prosthetic leg.[7]

Later, Middleton helped create Living Independently in Full Existence (LIFE), an organization to aid the elderly in the country.[1] Now LIFE is managed by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.[1]

Middleton died at age 65 on March 25, 2018 in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where she was being treated after suffering a stroke.[1] She was buried in Lord Ridge Cemetery.[1]

References
  1. "Eva Middleton, activist and manager for BAPDA, dies". Amandala. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  2. Steel, Adwoa; Huffman, Sandra L. (14 February 1992). "Breastfeeding Promotion in Belize: A Community Based Integrated Approach" (PDF). Nurture.
  3. Middleton, Eva; Griffey Brechin, Susan J. (Spring 1989). "Mothers' Support Group in Belize Increases the Duration of Breastfeeding" (PDF). Women's International Public Health Network News. 5: 5.
  4. "Improving the Health of Children in the South". 7 News Belize. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  5. "She Earned Her Wings". Belada (3): 12–17. March 2018 – via issuu.
  6. "Advocate Eva Middleton Dies". Love FM. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. "Prosthetic clinic held in Belize City". Breaking Belize News. 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
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