[Cash-and-caring] My article

Mon Sep 4 14:31:56 UTC 2017

Think it is related to information and discussions related funding for NFB.

On 9/4/17, Lauren Merryfield via Cash-and-Caring
<cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
> I know I have asked this before, but I need reminded. What is the cash and
> caring group all about? I've been on the list, but forgotten its origins.
> Thanks,
> Lauren
>
> Blessings in Jesus’ name! 
> Philippians 2:9-11
> 9Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
> every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in
> heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every
> tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
> Father.
>
> Advice from my cats:"Meow when you feel like it."
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of adrijana prokopenko via Cash-and-Caring
> Sent: Monday, September 4, 2017 4:45 AM
> To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates
> <Cash-and-Caring at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: adrijana prokopenko <adrijana.prokopenko at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Cash-and-caring] My article
>
>  Some people stated that they had difficulties finding my articlee that
> appeared in "The Kentucky cardinal", so feel free to read it here!
>
> 2017 NFB National Convention Perspective The excitement of a National
> Federation of the Blind annual convention is something that can hardly be
> described unless you have had the opportunity to experience it for yourself
> in person.  Although many individuals from around the world may never be
> able to experience this event in person, the advent of technology allows
> people from all over the world to participate in the NFB national convention
> through live streaming.  One individual shares her diary of thoughts as she
> experienced her first national convention held in Orlando, Florida this
> summer through the miracle of technology.
> A Unique Perspective
> by Adrijana Prokopenko
> NFB diary
> July 10
> Excitement is in the air for many people going to convention and lots more
> that can't go including me. Looking forward to finding out what is in store.
> Making a list to make sure I have everything at hand while convention is
> streaming, so I don't have to get out of the room
> - looking for things. Water, ice coffee,  snacks, mouthwash, cups, spoon,
> tissues  and wet wipes  on the shelf, brailler and braille paper for taking
> notes next to me, the phone near the computer on silent mode, doors closed
> to prevent outside noise, Skype and Facebook  opened for immediate
> communication with members that are there at the  spot.
> July 11
> Some great presentations regarding technology equipment like orCam and
> braille devices that have been improved over the years. The thought of being
> able to access information as the sighted with not much hustle is great
> enough, just hope the price is right for everyone; otherwise, some people
> may miss out on it again.
> July 12
> The Job fair seems to have brought some cool things, as someone recommended
> my Facebook group to people from employment divisions, like lighthouse and
> different companies. I was even chatting live with someone like that getting
> contact info of one of them to be able to email her with more!
> July 13
> Lots of work today, trying to hunt down exactly the names of companies that
> are out there so people can meet them live and get their job ads and include
> them into my job group. Also following the progress of convention from the
> stream and members that are already there posting on the groups and to me
> privately. Everyone seems to be enjoying convention, including Ciera, the
> fearful high school girl who thought that the NFB wasn't for her. NFB
> related messages spread on the groups' big time! It is great they are
> opening the stream 30 minutes early, so we could feel the atmosphere and
> hear some informal chat there! As Arianna enjoyed exploring her dad's watch
> and feeling overjoyed that she will have to announce the National Federation
> of the Blind name to mark the start of the meeting, I could see how kids
> could grow into the federation and have fond memories of it. Practice from
> the performing arts division in front of the veterans and more...recognition
> for their work from others and probably way more that happened during other
> events that aren't streamed. Me being the student that I am, I keep learning
> the NFB lessons as before, so lesson number 3 goes, stick being a
> federations in the true sense of the word, no matter how close or far you
> live. And lesson number 4 goes, the NFB site always has surprises, so keep
> checking and scrolling to find them. Even though advertisements about the
> Nations Blind Podcast didn't appear anywhere before, I could find it from
> the audio link and start listening to it to keep up with what is going on!
>   Dick Davis had an interview on 1520wbzw, so had to spread the info far and
> wide beforehand so people can listen in.  Seems like the KNFB Reader is also
> expanding its features to become even more accurate and the brother of
> Victor Stream was just born to help those who want to get it with mobility
> at the same time. Feels very rewarding to be able to do all this work even
> from afar!
> July 14
> I'm already getting replies from companies that they are joining my group
> and supporting the idea, praying this would bring some cool
> things for many.   Lots of money talk at convention today, which made
> me feel inadequate  for not being able to provide any, but promising I will
> fix this next  year. If nothing else, I can send a door prize and
> surprise someone!   As presidents got reelected and kept sharing their
> enthusiasm, others shared experiences on growing up with blindness and lack
> of opportunities and how they became the way they are to help others, which
> shows if you really want to do something, you can probably find a way to do
> it! Hopefully discrimination would be less talked about when it comes to
> blind parents, students and jobseekers rights, as many of us hope for by
> what was being said. So many Emails given out at convention were inaccurate.
>  I'm glad I wrote to them first to test before I spread the info out about
> the NFB news...line echo testing, radio station interview, job related
> emails, and address information. So lesson number 5 may be, when people get
> excited, some addresses can go wrong! Smile. Also glad that I subscribed to
> the press release email list and presidential reports link. I wish someone
> had told me about these things way back when I became a member! Don't think
> any of this was mentioned in the new member pack and I think it would be
> useful for any new member and anyone else who is truly interested to help
> the NFB.
> July 15
> An exciting day today, don't want to miss the banquet or anything else by
> falling asleep, so dividing my sleep hours so I can stay up and listen.
> What a great thing to hear that companies and organizations can work
> together to achieve things, even if change is slower and things take time,
> no one said no at convention so far to the president's words, which made me
> gain whole new respect for conventions like this one because of this. If it
> was a roundtable in Macedonia, the discussions would have probably gone
> nowhere and
> everyone would have blamed the other for all our problems.   Prizes
> and awards going to deserving professionals once more, which  may probably
> bring many great things for them and the rest they are connected to, to even
> keep achieving greater things together and stay together in the fight! What
> can be better than that?
> As the banquet gets going and prizes get drawn, it's exciting to hear who
> gets  recognized for drawing in the largest number of people and raising the
>  most money, people cheering for certain individuals and their own  state,
> loud enough to hear even with the sound  trouble! As Dr. Maurer gives little
> NFB facts and stories from the past and lets people get ready for the main
> thing, excitement goes greater about what is to follow. As singers start
> introducing each other and invite everyone to  join in, I can't help but get
> to sing with them and pull the headset  out of the computer for the whole
> house to hear, not minding that it  is one AM where I am! As songs go in a
> faster mood, people get to clap and dance around in their limited space in
> the crowd. As the video for the students' scholarship and sponsors starts,
> we are having a chance to learn more about everyone that is involved in the
> deal, hoping that they will continue to support the organization as greatly
> in the future. As students recite their little songs especially created for
> the occasion and prizes get drawn, I can't help but want to suggest  that it
> may serve a great purpose if some are given in products and  not money,
> because this would benefit both the organization and the  people that
> receive and purchase them from. As amazon gives out a certain amount of
> money for every product you buy from certain organizations, it may actually
> benefit the NFB to get their own products from there and get back some of
> the money in for the organization. As many people are also recognized and
> skilled for doing different things, from music to crafts and other things,
> if they have a way to show their products in front of such a large audience,
> it may be a great pathway for them to be able to keep promoting and getting
> their products to others that they don't even know much about! That way
> everyone would feel equal and it wouldn't give an impression that only
> sponsors and people that put in the big money are greatly promoted at
> convention and since the organization keeps tracks and cares for all its
> members, it would be a nice thing to know that people are thought of at all
> times and their talents and skills are always recognized and appreciated.
> With the banquet address starting and the room getting quieter, the serious
> business starts that will hopefully give us the great address for a greater
> tomorrow.
> As science and technology advance and take a great  part in blind peoples'
> lives if they are able to afford  it, our power  to change things for a
> better tomorrow for us and our children is even  greater than ever, if we
> possess all the skills and knowledge to be  able to do this nonvisual. As we
> stick together and share what we have and can do, it is the only way that
> will bring us and many others forward. As these years' scholarship students
> come to shake hands with former and current presidents, Marc Maurer and Mark
> Riccobono, Kurzweil inventor, Ray Kurzwiel and others, let's hope that they
> would be the ones that would be the great movers and shakers of the
> organization in the best way they know how!
> About the author: I'm Adrijana Prokopenko and I was born on February
> 02 1979 in Skopje, Macedonia. I attended primary school at the state school
> for blind children in my own city, then went to mainstream high school and
> after that spent a year at the Overbrook school for the blind in 1998and
> 1999 learning blindness skills.
> After that, I did my English teaching degree at Eastern Mediterranean
> University in North Cyprus from 1999 to 2003. After coming back to my
> country, I have been doing volunteer work to help the blind and have been
> the founding member of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that helps
> disabled people with assistive technology. I have been working as a teacher
> of English at the same school I studied since 2007.
>
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