Assoc Prof Dr Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, who served as co-chairs with Low, described him as “intellectually sharp, highly disciplined and hardworking”, yet soft-spoken, warm and gentle.

“James was well-organised and totally dependable. He had the most wonderful sense of humour, with a smile that charmed us all. He would throw out a challenging issue during our Law Reform Group meetings and then sit back bemused, watching the rest of us react,” recalled the Universiti Malaya lecturer (Department of Architecture), when contacted.

“We had so many issues to discuss and made many detours in the process. Yet James would manage to steer us firmly back on track. Bear in mind that James was the youngest at our meetings. But what a magnificent presence he had!”

Also a person living with disability, Assoc Prof Naziaty added that Low was “tough and unyielding on matters of principle, firm in time management and ensuring task delivery”.

“When James spoke, he was always concise and to the point. Not one word was wasted, ” she said.

Low was also instrumental in pushing forward law reforms.

“James inspired us all with his strength and bravery, as his impairment was severe compared to many of us. Despite the difficulties, he managed to lead the Law Reform Group’s objective of delivering the law reform drafts.

“This meant that he shone a bright light for the way forward in our struggle to encourage harmonisation (alignment) of the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act 2008 with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (signed by the Malaysian government.)

“James did solid, painstaking work in producing a comparative analysis of the PwD Act and the Convention. In the almost 10 years that has lapsed since Malaysia signed the Convention, no one had undertaken that essential work to help move Malaysia forward towards harmonisation of its domestic legislation with the Convention, until James put in the hard work.

“That landmark document is James' gift to the OKU community of Malaysia, his legacy for us to build on. We shall keep the spirit of James alive by recommitting ourselves to Malaysia's harmonisation of the PwD Act 2008 with the Convention, ” she vowed.

In terms of social advocacy, Low also brought hope to children with disabilities.

“Medical specialists pronounced that it was very unlikely for James to survive beyond the age of two. By exercising incredible discipline in maintaining optimal health, coupled with his strong dose of common sense, James lived a rich and fulfilled life, with a vibrant community of friends and a loving family. The way that James managed that is a major legacy for children with disabilities, their parents, as well as for those with SMA. James gave hope; he showed possibilities, ” she said.

WeCareJourney, in a Facebook post, said Low was an active volunteer and advocate in the group.