[BlindTlk] [NAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation

Alan Wheeler blindsticks at gmail.com
Tue Mar 9 12:28:17 UTC 2021 

Hello everyone,
Originally I wasn't going to weigh in on this topic, but I changed my mind after reading Peters message. I hate to say it, but this issue doesn't surprise me. The NFB already has a reputation for not liking guide dogs or guide dog users. So much so that it is the main reason that some folks I have talked to said they would never join the organization. So, seeing paternalistic attitudes on the part of guide dog schools being ignored is thoroughly unsurprising. If they are ever going to shake such a reputation, they have a lot of hard work to do.

Alan


"If you want to practice anything, practice knowing you can do whatever you set your complete mind to." Victor Wooten "The Music Lesson"

My blog: http://doingitdeeper.blogspot.com/

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 8, 2021, at 6:53 PM, Peter Donahue via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good evening everyone,
> 
>    This is what happens when the NFB becomes obsessed with a particular issue and neglects others. Our determination to secure air travel rights for blind air travelers in the 1970s and 1980s nearly resulted in the loss of some prominent federationists at that time feeling that airline issues took priority over other concerns of greater importance to the blind. The current obscession with diversity and inclusion is repeating this same behavior while the rights of guide dog users are not being protected and our guide dog schools paternalistic policies go unchecked. All blind people need to feel welcomed and comfortable in the federation but their concerns must be addressed equally with the organizations other activities and programs.
> 
>    Is it no wonder why some blind people do not want to become members particularly if they feel their concerns are being ignored or if the behavior of federation leaders and members causes them to feel "Held back?" How sad.
> 
> Peter Donahue
> 
> ?  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Catherine Clegg via BlindTlk
> Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 5:24 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Catherine Clegg <csgclose at gmail.com>; blindtlk at nfbnet.org; Marion Gwizdala, <blind411 at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] [NAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation
> 
> I am really sorry to see you leave. Thanks for your leadership and guidance for so long. Catherine Clegg
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 8, 2021, at 5:29 PM, Marion Gwizdala, via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> President Riccobono,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>               On April 22, 2020, Southeastern Guide Dogs forcibly 
>> removed the guide dog of les Demers, a member of the Tampa bay chapter 
>> of the National Federation of the Blind of florida and the Florida 
>> Association of guide Dog users. As president of the National 
>> Association of Guide Dog Users, I have had several calls relating 
>> similar instances in which Southeastern abruptly and without warning, 
>> without evidence of abuse or neglect, and without due process forcibly 
>> removed a guide dog from its blind handler. On March 5, 2021, I 
>> received a call from Rev. susan Blake, a blind Episcopal priest in the 
>> diocese of Orlando, stating that Southeastern Guide dogs showed up at 
>> her residence unannounced on March 4, 2021 and forcibly removed her dog because it "looks like it is about four pounds overweight".
>> I immediately contacted Raul Gallegos whose first reaction was "I need 
>> to contact Southeastern." He seemed unconcerned about this abusive, 
>> undignified, unethical, and immoral behavior and contacting Rev. Blake 
>> was an afterthought. President Gallegos has Rev. Blake's contact 
>> information and, as of the date of this writing, has not reached out to Rev. Blake.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>               The board of directors of the National Association of 
>> Guide dog Users met to discuss the incident concerning Mr. Demers and 
>> chose to not pursue this case. If they had, perhaps Rev. Blake would still have her dog!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I have held various elected leadership positions with the National 
>> Federation of the blind since 1987. Since 2004, I have served on the 
>> board of directors of the National Association of Guide dog Users, 
>> including assuming the presidency by succession in 2007 and elected to 
>> the presidency in 2008. I have dedicated my life to protecting the 
>> rights of guide dog users and have invested countless hours and 
>> financial assets in the organization, believing it was the best avenue 
>> for change in the manner in which guide dog users are treated. If you 
>> were to ask any active member of NAGDU what the primary focus of my 
>> administration was, most would say "Ownership upon completion of 
>> training". We discussed ownership during nearly every meeting and I 
>> frequently questioned those training programs with ownership policies 
>> other than full and complete ownership after completion of training as 
>> to their rationale for such paternalistic policies. Their 
>> justifications for these policies were as paternalistic as the policies themselves!
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> It is very apparent the National Federation of the Blind and the 
>> current administration of the National Association of Guide dog users 
>> is not interested in protecting the rights and dignity of blind guide 
>> dog consumers. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve and 
>> support an organization that disregards the basic fundamental rights 
>> of blind consumers. Effective immediately, I am resigning my 
>> membership in the National Federation of the Blind and the National 
>> Association of Guide Dog Users. This will also serve to resign my 
>> elected offices as president of the Florida Association of Guide dog 
>> Users and the board of directors of the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of florida.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Respectfully submitted,
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala
>> 
>> (813) 626-2789
>> 
>> Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net <mailto:Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net>
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
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>> m
> 
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