The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL mourns the death of one of the key Independent Living pioneers from Norway – Knut Flaaum. Knut died on Monday, 24 August at the age of 66.
Alongside the late Bente Skansgård, Vibeke Marøy Melstrøm, Tone Norli and Leife Sylling, Knut founded Uloba – Independent Living Norway in 1991. Thanks to Uloba, disabled people in Norway have personal assistance today, or as they call it, the Citizen-Controlled Personal Assistance (BPA), and many other rights. Over the last 35 years, Knut served as Uloba’s Board member, Board Chair, Executive Chair and Managing Director. He played a key role in making Uloba a successful disabled-led advocacy organisation – one of the leading Independent Living organisations in Europe and world-wide.
In the words of ENIL’s former Board member Vibeke Marøy Melstrøm:
“Over 35 years, we shared a strong commitment, a close bond and work that has left a lasting mark. Knut was one of Uloba’s five founders and played a crucial role in the establishment and development of the organisation. He played a major part in ensuring that Uloba became a prominent part of the Independent Living movement in Norway – a movement for freedom, equality and the right to take responsibility for and have control over one’s own life.”
Knut was also key to ENIL’s work and development, making Uloba one of the key funders of the organisation and supporting ENIL’s leadership by hosting Board meetings and advising on strategic decisions. Several years ago, Knut joined the Board of the ENIL Foundation and has been a member since.
At ENIL, we will remember Knut’s wisdom, humour, friendship and kindness, from the many Freedom Drives and our time together in Drammen and Oslo, during Uloba’s well-known Pride parades, from the many anniversaries (most recently the celebration of STIL in Sweden) and opportunities to celebrate the Independent Living movement. Knut will be missed not just in Norway, but by us all.
We are thankful to Knut for all that he has done for ENIL and our cause during a life that was very well lived. We extend our condolences to our friends at Uloba – Independent Living Norway and all who have known and loved Knut, his family and friends.
Rest in power, dear Knut.
