[Blindtlk] groups working together

[Chris Nusbaum]

Bebe,

Welcome to the list. From the few posts I've read from you this morning, you already seem like a very interesting person and one who will provide us with a new and unique perspective. I look forward to reading more!

From your message below I can tell that, though you may not know it, you have articulated the NFB philosophy quite eloquently—that is, that your blindness and/or other disabilities need not define you and that you can "live the life you want" without blindness holding you back. You and your parents seem to be good examples of this positive attitude, though you came by it without being members. For this reason I would encourage you to look into joining the NFB. The state of Colorado has a strong and active affiliate, and the Denver chapter seems to also be very vibrant. Much of the Federation activity in Colorado is centered around the Denver/Littleton area, as this is the location of the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB,) one of only three nationally recognized NFB training centers in the country. It's ultimately up to you, but given your attitude as you have expressed it here, I would definitely look into it.

Chris Nusbaum

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 8, 2014, at 3:50 AM, Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi, Sherri,
> Despite I'm not an NFB, ACB or Lighthouse member, I, myself don't see anything wrong with organizations having the will to work together.
> I am an active member of the Colorado Cross Disability Colision (CCDC) here in Denver, Colorado who serve a variety of people with disabilities.
> I'm not sure, but will need to find out if I am the first totally blind wheelchair user as a member.
> I am slowly creating a list of resources to put together in the hopes I am able to do some good with educating society.
> What I mostly tell people that despite having medical ailments on top of my blindness is I don't allow neither to stop me from doing what I must do.
> I may have to do things in alternative ways, but I know I do what is best.
> Although I am able to advocate for myself, I do come across people that have a challenging time of being able to talk on behalf of his/herself, so try to offer as much help that I can.
> I usually will provide resources to others, but then suggest that they do 
> the homework on their own.
> Back when I grew up, my momma wasn't going to allow me to sit in a corner nor let me not be away from society, so she encouraged me to roller skate, ride a bicycle and do as much as the other kids in the neighborhood were doing.
> Some people may think I'm crazy once I say this, but I have also been on skateboards.
> They were fun back when I was a kid, but I'm not really thrilled with them now, more because people that use them end up getting really careless.
> At least I look back and am glad that my mother made me get out and I accomplished a lot.
> Eventually down the road, I finally had to ask my mom to let me fight my own battles and I told her in a conversation over the phone one time that she stated there would be the day and time that I would need to deal with battles on my own.
> Although I win and may lose some, you still gain the knowledge and lessons from the ones which are lost.
> I do wish that more people would allow one another to work as a big group as more would be able to be done in the hope of fixing a lot of hidden blue laws and red tape barriers.
> Speaking of working with organizations and groups, I'm also having to do a lot of advocacy and educational work with the fire department, paramedics and police as well.
> It is a challenge, but I'm not going to back down or give up that easily.
> Sherri, I do hope for a resolution for your chapter and that other people will using their thinking to realize that if all fails, problems will arise.
> Bibi and MAR son Odie
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