Andrew J. Imparato, AAPD President and CEO
on the completion of Justin Dart, Jr.'s mission in this world

"In order to be happy, you should love--love with self-sacrifice, love all and everything, and spread a network of love everywhere. No matter who gets into this net, catch them all and fill them with love." (Leo Tolstoy)

Justin Dart, Jr. understood the power and importance of love and self-sacrifice more than anyone I have known. Beginning with his full partnership with Yoshiko Dart and radiating out through his immediate family, Justin's love was devoted, romantic, and transformative. For Justin's brothers and sisters in the disability movement, and broader still through the civil rights movement, and the global human rights movement, Justin's love was boundless and inspiring. For anyone who ever met or heard Justin Dart speak, his unending, uncompromising love made its presence known and felt. From Justin, I have been taught the importance of leading with love, even when it is difficult, even when my temper or my ego is telling me otherwise, even when others might question my loyalties or my judgment, even when it feels much better to chastise or disdain. Justin is no longer with us, but his example, especially his unending capacity to love, will guide us for eternity.