It is with great sadness that the board of Shaping Our Lives learnt of the news of our colleague Munir Lalani.We have listed here some of the tributes paid to him by his friends at Shaping Our Lives :

 

                 

               Munir Lalani

Shaping our Lives

 The tributes to Munir Lalani (Manny) from people who knew him through Shaping our Lives have been heartfelt - a testament to Manny's great qualities as a friend and colleague. We met Manny about 20 years ago at a transitional stage in his life. His skills and abilities soon shone through as he became instrumental in setting up user user-led and user-run projects.

 Manny became a great friend who was the best man at our wedding. We did not see him often in the last few years after we'd left Manchester but kept in touch and were hoping to meet up with him again this year. Sadly, that will now never be, but Manny you will never be forgotten. You achieved so much and you touched so many other lives. It was a privilege to know you.

Munir and I shared a special bond and even though we did not see through the same lenses he always had a positive image of things.. we were 3 brothers and Munir was the best and will be missed.. I still open my computer hoping against hope an e-mail from him will pop up..what can I do bro what can I do?

Manny and I first met around 20 years ago due to a mutual interest in service user involvement. However Manny was special to me not because of his work but because of our friendship.

Over the years we became closer and I could tell Manny virtually anything, trusting that he would not judge me and would keep my secrets safe. I’m sure that Manny confided in me about things that he didn’t feel able to tell others, too. 

Manny called me his “kid sister”. He said he had always wanted a sister. We had our disagreements, but he would say that brothers and sisters do argue and that he wouldn’t fall out with me!  Although we sometimes went for long periods of time without contact, we would always easily pick up where we left off. In more recent years, we saw each other less than we originally did, but would often speak for hour after hour on the telephone, only stopping in between to grab a drink, a bite to eat and/or for a loo break!

 A true friend is someone who knows all about you and still sees the best in you. Manny was a good person and the best friend.

Put simply, Manny was my best friend and I shall miss him.

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that Munir died last Friday. I am sure you will all share the great sadness this news brings and we will greatly miss Munir’s dedication, commitment and contribution to the work of Shaping Our Lives.

I am finding this a really big shock and sadness. He was one of our pioneers. Munir never had an easy time, but you wouldn't know that. In our most difficult times, he was always a clear and helpful voice. He was someone who got to the heart of the matter without trying and who could express our values and the need for us to stay strongly committed to them simply and supportively. 

I don't suppose I am alone in feeling a hole in my heart. I have known him for so many years. I suppose I thought he would be there forever, and of course he couldn't be. I am glad that we saw him at our last Board meeting. He was both a colleague and a friend and a symbol of our strength and the ability of disabled people and service users.

I am very sorry to hear about Munir. This is a sad loss to Shaping Our Lives.

It is hard to believe that Munir has died. I thought he was a really lovely man. I admired the way he was gentle, kind, insightful and thoughtful. He was just great in every way. I will really miss him a lot. 

This is indeed very sad news, even sadder when I reflect on what a loss we have to cope with.  This humble passionate person,not always easy to hear but always easy to read, exhibiting as Munir did a passion for social justice and a loyalty to his peers in his honest pursuit for better things than selfish administrations preferred to call ‘reasonable’ policies and actions.  I’m absolutely certain we shall all miss the humane qualities Munir showered us all with; I know I will.  

Good bye Munir, you were great and you’ve left a fine legacy.

I was very saddened to hear this news. I only met Munir for the first time when we all met in Birmingham. I was struck by his passion and contributions to making sure that disabled peoples voices were heard at strategic levels and in his commitment to share that with us all and make us feel as though we had been behind him when he went to those meetings. 

I am sorry you have all lost a good friend and an invaluable ally and comrade.

I am sad that I will not get to know him as well as all of you. His memory will live on in your actions and in the work of shaping our lives.

I imagine it will be a difficult weekend at the conference, and his presence will undoubtedly be greatly missed both now and in the future.

I too thought of Munir as a good friend he always made very pertinent comments in the meetings. I will miss him and yes there is a hole in my heart for him too.

So very, very sorry to hear of Munir's passing. What a great loss for you all and, of course, for his nearest and dearest. I personally held Munir in great regard - such an inspiration - always so upbeat and a wicked sense of humour. I'm sure he will be sorely missed as a valuable member of Shaping Our Lives and he will certainly have a special place in my memories of my time with you all.

Patricia Chambers, a member of Shaping Our Lives management committee has written a tribute to Munir which you can read by Clicking Here

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