On Sunday 17 May, Denis Azzopardi was presented with the Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi award by Dar tal-Providenza for his work in the disability sector. Because of his medical condition Denis could not be present; in fact he has joined the Almighty Father to rejoice with Him and to enjoy the fruits of the good work he had carried out during his lifetime.
I wish to share my thoughts about who Denis Azzopardi was on my own behalf, on behalf of my husband Kevin, on behalf of all disabled persons (especially those who are or were once part of the Muscular Dystrophy Group) and other people close to him. Denis was like a surrogate father sent to us by God.
He was so gentle, honest, calm, loyal – a real friend with a heart full of love for all who were in need.
I have been member of the Muscular Dystrophy Group for the last 25 years and Denis was the first person from the group I met. I was just an 11-year-old girl and until then I had not accepted my condition, but Denis, with his charisma and love, helped me and even convinced me to join the group. He introduced me to the other members and from then on I started to attend the activities of the group regularly.
It is thanks to Denis that I understood what it means to carry out voluntary work and how important it was (and still is) for me and other families who are members of our group. Fortunately, the Muscular Dystrophy Group always believed in the potential of disabled persons and never treated us with pity. In fact, the group, through Denis, always believed in our potential as human beings and leaders, so much so they were involved in all matters, including decision-making. In fact, also thanks to Denis, the majority of people carrying out voluntary work within our group today are also disabled.
Dear Denis, we thank you for all you did to improve our quality of life and to improve society in general. Surely we will always remember you as the man with the sincere smile, always ready to be of support, even during difficult moments: ours and your own.
Denis thanks for sharing your life with us and for making us part of it.
Rita Vella
MOSTA