[Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want

Thu Jan 16 17:29:59 UTC 2020

Very well said. Lots of good points are being made on this thread.
I am learning so much and considering everything that is being said by everyone. 

Melissa R. Green and Pj

-----Original Message-----
From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kishia Mason via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2020 9:01 AM
To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kishia Mason <kishia.mason at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want

I was very excited when I attended my first national NFB convention in 2008 and met all of the blind people that were very independent and active. Even children who are blind did more things than I had imagined blind children could be capable of doing then I had thought previously. Without the NFB, much of what we have as a blind community would not be possible and I am always grateful for the opportunities that the NFB has allowed us to Gain. Speaking for myself and no one else, I Never filed taxes before I got this minimum-wage part time job where I only get Around $672 a month and not much else even with the reduced SSI benefits, not to mention still having to save money by using public food assistance which is even less than that and living in low income housing which is not an ideal place to live if you know what I mean. I wouldn’t say that it’s unbearable but it certainly is not ideal And to me it’s miserable. So to a large degree, probably by poor decisions on my part I am not living the life I want or should be living and also I think that we should take personal responsibility where It belongs but also if we have certain restrictions just because we receive any assistance of some kind to recognize that that is not necessarily our choice but the fact that we have to live within those restrictions doesn’t mean that it’s OK to be looked down upon by others. In fact, it isn’t. And just because some of us have a certain way of living doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re happy with it like myself.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 10, 2020, at 5:00 AM, colorado-talk-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
> 
> Send Colorado-Talk mailing list submissions to
>    colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> 
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>    http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>    colorado-talk-request at nfbnet.org
> 
> You can reach the person managing the list at
>    colorado-talk-owner at nfbnet.org
> 
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Colorado-Talk digest..."
> 
> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Sabndy Schleich)
>   2. Save the date 01-25-2019 (ileenshere at gmail.com)
>   3. Re: Save the date 01-25-2019 (Chip Johnson)
>   4. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Dianna Alley)
>   5. ?I?m absolutely not supportive of that?: Front Range
>      passenger train service appears derailed on arrival at Capitol
>      (Gary Van Dorn)
>   6. Kevin Flynn: Fines don?t stop red-light runners, but fixing
>      engineering flaws does (Gary Van Dorn)
>   7. Sunday, January 26 4 PM until 6 PM (Maureen Nietfeld)
>   8. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Diane McGeorge)
>   9. Re: Thoughts on Living the Life You Want (Diane McGeorge)
>  10. Colorado lawmaker writing bill to expand RTD board, increase
>      oversight (Gary Van Dorn)
>  11. Resolutions for RTD in 2020 (Gary Van Dorn)
>  12. As CDOT Eyes New Bus Lines In Rural Colorado, Tiny Dinosaur
>      Stands To Lose Out (Gary Van Dorn)
>  13. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Melissa R. Green)
>  14. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Melissa R. Green)
>  15. Re: my thoughts on living the life you want (Dianna Alley)
>  16. Re: Thoughts on Living the Life You Want (Anahit LaBarre)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 10:45:07 -0700
> From: Sabndy Schleich <saschleich7 at gmail.com>
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <A1C2FA92-CDFF-4A3B-AC07-DA77C4C2A655 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> I understand what you?re saying about the sleep shades Jenny. I have been asked in the past to go up to train at the CCB but I will not do it because I will not allow them to put sleep shades on me. I believe that if I have some vision I should be allowed to use it not be inhibited by sleep shades and not be told I have to do it. That should definitely be an option and I was told it is not an option. I could be wrong though.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jan 9, 2020, at 3:58 AM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> ?Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
>> 
>> Yes you?re told the requirements for CCB, but if you can?t be under sleep shade, if there are things that you can?t do. You shouldn?t just be booted out because you don?t meet the requirements.
>> 
>> I thought if anyone the NFB?s Colorado Center for the blind would be Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don?t think that I would really be able to do it.
>> 
>> Everybody doesn?t fit in a box. And that includes those of us with multiple health problems.
>> 
>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don?t agree on, we can still respect them.
>> 
>> Jenny
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background. 
>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and read, as webbl as live the life I want.
>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the little callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt whispering in my ear about her.
>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I did join.
>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to NewJersey. 
>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not helping me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself things like computers.
>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and making suggestions.
>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the centers. I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado. 
>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack for that, but it worked out. 
>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is tools in my tool box.
>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program was indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One student had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were hendering her, the staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found other programs for her. Nother student graduated and recieved his bell. I tell you all of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes they have a comversation about if this program will work for the person. As someone that is human, I get tired of people blaming the center for the program. You are told the requirements, and if not, then it 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
>>> Sincerely, 
>>> Melissa R.  Green and Pj 
>>> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>> 
>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>> 
>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined the NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very active member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience, I served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012, whose purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to rebrand our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.  One part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing what it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond just the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has many elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have some idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to  communicate.
>>>> 
>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as a model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script from which we must all lead our lives.  
>>>> 
>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home, volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message is that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should not be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you fulfillment and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>> 
>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>> 
>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we are working to convince the general population that they can and should expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of another.  
>>>> 
>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't truly necessary.  
>>>> 
>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but same are always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>> 
>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in the world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's best speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr. Jernigan from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you do so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>> 
>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and that we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.  Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the life we want.
>>>> 
>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because, for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.  "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>> 
>>>> Warmly,
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/saschleich7%40gmail.com
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 11:46:43 -0700
> From: <ileenshere at gmail.com>
> To: <Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Save the date 01-25-2019
> Message-ID: <010a01d5c71d$23de06f0$6b9a14d0$@gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> BINGO NIGHT MEET UP
> 
> Join the Wild West
> 
> For fun and fundraising
> 
> 
> 
> WHERE:
> 
>               Brew Ability Labs
> 
> 3445 S Broadway St.
> 
>               Englewood CO. 80113
> 
>               (303) 598-0809
> 
> 
> 
> When:
> 
>               January 25, 2019
> 
> 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
> 
> 
> 
> Cost:
> 
>               Bingo cards will be $3.00.
> 
>               Pizza will be available for $3.50 per large slice
> 
> 
> 
> Bingo prizes will be fun and memorable.
> 
> 
> 
> Prize donations are definitely accepted
> 
> 
> 
> Please RSVP, if possible.
> 
> We have access to 25 braille cards and 50 large print.
> 
> We are so excited to see you all there.
> 
> 
> 
> Feel free to contact
> 
> Ileen Gallegos
> 
> 303-895-0087
> 
> ileenshere at gmail.com <mailto:ileenshere at gmail.com> 
> 
> 
> 
> Wild West Secretary
> 
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200109/5f6f8da6/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 18:51:28 +0000
> From: Chip Johnson <cjohnson at cocenter.org>
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Save the date 01-25-2019
> Message-ID:
>    <DM6PR17MB2057B36EC47654C2C2965797BB390 at DM6PR17MB2057.namprd17.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> I'll be there. This is a very cool spot because most of the folks who work there have disabilities. I hope to see lots of you there.
> 
> Chip Johnson
> Technology Instructor
> 
> Colorado Center for the Blind
> Phone: 303.778.1130  Ext:  227
> Fax:  303.778.1598
> 2233 W. Shepperd Ave.
> Littleton, CO 80120
> 
> Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance
> cocenter.org<http://cocenter.org/>
> Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/coloradocenterfortheblind> Twitter<https://twitter.com/cocenter4blind> YouTube<https://www.youtube.com/user/cocenterorg>
> 
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ileen Gallegos via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, January 9, 2020 11:47 AM
> To: Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: ileenshere at gmail.com
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Save the date 01-25-2019
> 
> BINGO NIGHT MEET UP
> Join the Wild West
> For fun and fundraising
> 
> WHERE:
>               Brew Ability Labs
> 3445 S Broadway St.
>               Englewood CO. 80113
>               (303) 598-0809
> 
> When:
>               January 25, 2019
> 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
> 
> Cost:
>               Bingo cards will be $3.00.
>               Pizza will be available for $3.50 per large slice
> 
> Bingo prizes will be fun and memorable.
> 
> Prize donations are definitely accepted
> 
> Please RSVP, if possible.
> We have access to 25 braille cards and 50 large print.
> We are so excited to see you all there.
> 
> Feel free to contact
> Ileen Gallegos
> 303-895-0087
> ileenshere at gmail.com<mailto:ileenshere at gmail.com>
> 
> Wild West Secretary
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200109/2dd3e1a0/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 15:18:32 -0600
> From: "Dianna Alley" <dianna24 at earthlink.net>
> To: "'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'" <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <001201d5c732$58f681e0$0ae385a0$@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="UTF-8"
> 
> It is not an option.  If you even have really unusable light perception you have to wear them.  I also do not like being told what cane I can use either.  It is my body, my safety, my choice.  I think we should focus more on having the same options that are quality in our own communities as well.  If we do this, everyone will not have to leave their community unless they choose too.  I am very pro choice in life.  Unfortunately, for some people the centers are the only options to get any training that is any type of quality because their communities have crap for quality.  That is what is not right.  They should have choice, and the NFB centers should not be the only choice.  That makes them a monopoly, weather intended or not.  The NFB centers  should not have to be the only way ,but it is a way, and does help a lot of people.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sabndy Schleich via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2020 11:45 AM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sabndy Schleich <saschleich7 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
> I understand what you?re saying about the sleep shades Jenny. I have been asked in the past to go up to train at the CCB but I will not do it because I will not allow them to put sleep shades on me. I believe that if I have some vision I should be allowed to use it not be inhibited by sleep shades and not be told I have to do it. That should definitely be an option and I was told it is not an option. I could be wrong though.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jan 9, 2020, at 3:58 AM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> ?Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
>> 
>> Yes you?re told the requirements for CCB, but if you can?t be under sleep shade, if there are things that you can?t do. You shouldn?t just be booted out because you don?t meet the requirements.
>> 
>> I thought if anyone the NFB?s Colorado Center for the blind would be Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don?t think that I would really be able to do it.
>> 
>> Everybody doesn?t fit in a box. And that includes those of us with multiple health problems.
>> 
>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don?t agree on, we can still respect them.
>> 
>> Jenny
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background. 
>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and read, as webbl as live the life I want.
>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the little callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt whispering in my ear about her.
>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I did join.
>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to NewJersey. 
>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not helping me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself things like computers.
>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and making suggestions.
>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the centers. I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado. 
>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack for that, but it worked out. 
>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is tools in my tool box.
>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program was 
>>> indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One student 
>>> had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were hendering her, the 
>>> staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found other programs for 
>>> her. Nother student graduated and recieved his bell. I tell you all 
>>> of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes they have a comversation 
>>> about if this program will work for the person. As someone that is 
>>> human, I get tired of people blaming the center for the program. You 
>>> are told the requirements, and if not, then it
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Melissa R.  Green and Pj
>>> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>> 
>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>> 
>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined the NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very active member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience, I served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012, whose purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to rebrand our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.  One part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing what it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond just the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has many elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have some idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to  communicate.
>>>> 
>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as a model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script from which we must all lead our lives.  
>>>> 
>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home, volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message is that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should not be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you fulfillment and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>> 
>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>> 
>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we are working to convince the general population that they can and should expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of another.  
>>>> 
>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't truly necessary.  
>>>> 
>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but same are always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>> 
>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in the world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's best speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr. Jernigan from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you do so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>> 
>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and that we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.  Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the life we want.
>>>> 
>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because, for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.  "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>> 
>>>> Warmly,
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%
>>> 40gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/saschleich7
>> %40gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Colorado-Talk mailing list
> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/dianna24%40earthlink.net
> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 22:31:34 +0000
> From: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com>
> To: Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] ?I?m absolutely not supportive of that?:
>    Front Range passenger train service appears derailed on arrival at
>    Capitol
> Message-ID:
>    <MN2PR14MB41250A43E0E8071CC4B80003C6390 at MN2PR14MB4125.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
> 
> This story from the Colorado Sun is vey interesting.  Speaker Becker (D-Boulder) expresses her opposition to Front Range rail service<https://coloradosun.com/2020/01/06/front-range-rail-colorado-bill-kc-becker/>.
> 
> Gary Van Dorn
> Treasurer, Mile High NFBCO
> Chair, Mile High NFBCO Transportation Committee
> Board Member, NFBCO
> Treasurer, NFBCO Sports & Recreation Division
> President, NFB Public Employees Division
> 
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200109/27dab9ff/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 22:47:01 +0000
> From: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com>
> To: Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Kevin Flynn: Fines don?t stop red-light
>    runners, but fixing engineering flaws does
> Message-ID:
>    <MN2PR14MB4125FBC507F03F0AAE1FA0D4C6390 at MN2PR14MB4125.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> Kevin Flynn: Fines don?t stop red-light runners, but fixing engineering flaws does
> by NerdWalletDecember 31, 2019 at 3:51
> Joe Amon, Denver Post file
> A red-light camera monitors traffic at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Lincoln Street in Denver.
> Suppose for a moment the city found a dangerous pothole in the roadway and instead of fixing it, merely installed a camera nearby to photograph you slamming into it.
> 
> Would you find that disturbing?
> 
> Now suppose the city identified an intersection with a high number of red-light runners, and instead of fixing it by applying proven engineering countermeasures we know substantially reduce red-light running, the city simply installed a camera to take your picture and sent you a $75 ticket?
> 
> I find that equally disturbing. Whether we find a pothole or an engineering flaw, we should fix it. But the financial feasibility of red-light cameras literally depends on identifying an intersection with a high number of violators, and not fixing the flawed timing that produces it.
> 
> Me? I would rather prevent accidents than photograph them.
> 
> When the city first installed these cameras in 2008, and I was a journalist reporting on it, the company hired for the job warned Denver in a letter that if it adjusted the yellow timing to synchronize with actual traffic conditions, the city wouldn?t get the revenue it anticipated because red-light running would be reduced.
> 
> Wait a minute, isn?t that what we want?
> 
> Apparently not everyone, according to a recent commentary in The Denver Postby an advocacy journalist who criticized this common-sense approach. Instead, he called for massive expansion of needless red-light cameras throughout the city, ignoring the scientifically proven method of achieving compliance.
> 
> Oddly enough, camera advocates find themselves in the position of arguing against the laws of physics. It would seem that climate change deniers aren?t the only ones who reject science. Traffic laws cannot override the laws of physics
> Back in February, when I was faced with voting on a contract to expand red-light camera locations, my unusually understanding wife went along with my date-night suggestion that we grab some hot dogs and time a few yellow lights. We took videos of the yellow-change intervals and found that at two of the proposed new camera locations, the yellow-light times were wholly inadequate to allow typical drivers to safely come to a stop. Worse, the yellow-signals upstream of them were longer, essentially setting a trap for drivers when they reached the shorter one where the cameras would be.
> 
> This is a real phenomenon traffic engineers call the ?dilemma zone? ? a measurable area within which when a yellow light is too short, a driver is both too close to come to a safe stop and too far away to safely proceed through the intersection before the light turns red. You either brake too sharply, risking a rear-end collision, or violate the red, risking a T-bone collision.
> 
> Properly timed yellow lights that account for braking deceleration at a reasonable eight- to 10-feet-per-second-squared separate those overlapping areas, eliminating the dilemma zone and significantly reducing red-light running.
> 
> As a result of my date-night adventure, police and traffic engineers agreed and asked City Council to reject the pending contract for new cameras while the city adjusted yellow times to measure the results.
> 
> I can hear the standard response from camera defenders: ?Well, if they just stop before red, they won?t get a ticket.? Fine. Then let?s keep our part of the deal by giving drivers the properly engineered timing to do so. For many years, Denver set all yellow lights at three seconds, the legal minimum. But engineers can easily calculate the time and distance it takes to stop a two-and-a-half ton vehicle from any approaching speed. Three seconds is the appropriate timing for 25-mph traffic on a level street. Each intersection should have its own calculated yellow time, neither too short nor too long.
> 
> For some time now, the city has been adjusting yellows to account for real-world conditions. I applaud that wholeheartedly because I would rather have safe intersections than your $75. But with thousands of signals to adjust, the job?s not yet finished.
> 
> Cities that have adopted a modified formula for yellow-light timing from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, which is now required in California, have found red-light running virtually eliminated to the point they?ve taken out their red-light cameras.
> 
> Case in point: In the mid-2000s, a red-light camera at an intersection in Loma Linda, Calif., was reliably spitting out an average of 249 tickets every month, with no downward trend in violations. When traffic engineers added a mere three-tenths of a second, violations immediately dropped by 68%, to just 79 per month.
> 
> Then, three years later, Loma Linda engineers added another single second to the yellow light. Guess what happened?
> 
> Yep, red-light running virtually ended. The camera found fewer than six violations per month on a busy California divided arterial roadway ? only one every five days, a 98% reduction. How many intersections in Denver can you stand next to and see only one red light runner every five days?
> 
> I?m thankful to Denver?s police and traffic engineers for moving in this direction, achieving safety without $75 fines. I believe that choosing red-light cameras over fixing known engineering flaws is negligence.
> 
> Kevin Flynn is a Denver City Council member representing southwest Denver?s District 2.
> 
> To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 16:05:16 -0700
> From: Maureen Nietfeld <maureenbassmaster at gmail.com>
> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Sunday, January 26 4 PM until 6 PM
> Message-ID: <C7F8B72D-B382-45AE-BAA0-048951277CF6 at gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> Sunday, January 26 4 PM until 6 PM
> 
> No matter what journey you are on please join us for some great ways to start your new year off right. We will be discussing stress and the effects it has on our body, ways to reduce stress, some healthy tips and tricks for the new year. Will also be discussing some very practical ways to make sure that you implement self-care and stress relieving techniques. We are also really excited to announce that we are planning to hold quarterly wellness workshops that include eating healthy together along with a wellness workshop. Please text Maureen at 215-353-7218 or emailmaureenbassmaster at gmail.com if you are planning to join us.
> 
> Let?s all come to celebrate each other, support each other, and all feel better this upcoming year!!
> 
> Call 515603 4904
> 
> Access code 1082284
> 
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> Maureen Nietfeld
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200109/688b2cd6/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 8
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 18:02:23 -0700
> From: "Diane McGeorge" <rmcgeorge at comcast.net>
> To: "'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'" <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <011501d5c751$a76c2ae0$f64480a0$@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="utf-8"
> 
> I enjoyed your thoughts and comments, Scott.  Please be in touch when you do move to Colorado.  I think our deaf-blind services are really quite good.  Of course they aren't perfect but nothing is.  We do have a good division here; Doula is the president and I know she would welcome you as we all do.
> 
> Good luck and we look forward to having you in our state.
> Together we can accomplish so much more than going it alone.
> Best wishes,
> Diane McGeorge
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2020 4:47 PM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
> Thank you, Amy! That's a nice analogy. I suppose I've always felt a
> bit shut out from all directions and have chosen to adapt accordingly.
> As someone who struggles to understand speech, you can probably
> imagine it makes socialization a challenge with the blindness
> community. On the other hand, I have a signing vocabulary that isn't
> all that grate either, so I'm a bit stuck between 2 worlds, like a lot
> of the members of the deaf-blind division likely are. The fact that
> the NFB does have a deaf--blind division that continues to expand is
> encouraging to me. I'm a member of the National deaf-blind division,
> but we do not have any such division here in North Carolina... One
> reason I'm looking at the  potential option of a move back to Colorado
> is that the services for the deaf-blind are more well refined there.
> I'm working with the state of North Carolina on my own time to bring
> some of these services here, but since my current job doesn't require
> me to live in a specific area, I'm considering moving back once I have
> completed all I can do for North Carolina.
> 
> Thanks again for the email!
> Scott
> 
>> On 1/8/20, Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi Melissa.
>> First, thank you for sharing your NFB story, and a bit about your life
>> moving to Colorado from New Jersey!
>> My comments weren?t directly about CCB and the other training centers,
>> but more general in nature. As an option, I think the centers are
>> fantastic for many individuals, and agree the expectations are laid
>> out in such a way that the person looking to attend should be able to
>> understand what they will be doing. My comments were more on the motto
>> itself, and my thought behind what it meant to me. Living the life I
>> want to live. I suppose I?ve just assumed, maybe a bit wrongly, that
>> my definition of independence is quite different from what the NFB may
>> have in mind. Taking the street crossing card solution as an example,
>> it?s true that I?m dependent on assistance to cross streets. However,
>> it?s also true that I?m the one making the decision about what street
>> to cross, where I want to go, and that my actions are still my own.
>> Another example relates to utilizing what are currently called support
>> service providers. While I?m getting information from a provider in
>> this case, I?m still the one deciding how to utilize that information
>> I can?t get from my eyes or ears? It?s a bit like using Aira I
>> suppose, only done with different forms of communication, as speech is
>> not always an option. I have received a lot of criticism over the
>> years for both my use of street crossing cards and also my use of SSP
>> services. To me, independence isn?t always defined by whether you do
>> something alone or not, rather, should be defined by your actions.
>> All that said, I?m also not accusing anyone on this list of such
>> behavior, I understand, though, that these types of different
>> methodologies of accessing ones environment are often frowned upon.
>> 
>> Wishing you a wonderful evening,
>> Scott
>> 
>> 
>>> On 1/8/20, Amy Sabo via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> hello scott,
>>> thanks for putting down your thoughts and feelings on this topic. it
>>> was written very well and, eloquently! yes, this is sooo true on all
>>> you had said in your message. we aren't cookie cutter people. we all
>>> have our strengths and weaknesses in our lives. we are all different
>>> besides being blind. as for me the reason that I am a active member in
>>> the nfb is that I felt that I was somewhat not a part of the blindness
>>> world. I knew blind people but, they weren't capable or compentant
>>> people who lived normal lives in society. I only knew my sister who
>>> was also blind like myself. I had hid my blindness for many years and,
>>> when I found the nfb I found sooo more in my life. I found confidence,
>>> love, hope, freedom, independence, and friendship. my life has changed
>>> sooo much in my life since I joinded the nfb in 1995 but, I have to
>>> also have doubts in my life as a blind person. but, we in the nfb we
>>> are all here as a family. we have issues like all families do and, we
>>> always will but, we believe in this slogan that you can live the life
>>> you want to live. it's your choice and, how you want to create and,
>>> live in that moment.
>>> 
>>> so, that's my thoughts on this topic take care all and, I look forward
>>> to others here on this list to also chime on this topic!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> hugs,
>>> amy
>>> 
>>> On 1/7/20, Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My
>>>> hope
>>>> is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline
>>>> "live
>>>> the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful
>>>> comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a
>>>> little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined
>>>> the
>>>> NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very
>>>> active
>>>> member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience,
>>>> I
>>>> served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012,
>>>> whose
>>>> purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of
>>>> the
>>>> Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to
>>>> rebrand
>>>> our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.
>>>> One
>>>> part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing
>>>> what
>>>> it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond
>>>> just
>>>> the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has
>>>> many
>>>> elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future
>>>> discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have
>>>> some
>>>> idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to
>>>> communicate.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this
>>>> conception
>>>> that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and that if
>>>> you
>>>> don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not really
>>>> living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly
>>>> believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as
>>>> a
>>>> model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script
>>>> from
>>>> which we must all lead our lives.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not
>>>> hold
>>>> you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of our
>>>> dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities
>>>> we
>>>> face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or
>>>> otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't
>>>> matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home,
>>>> volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message
>>>> is
>>>> that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should
>>>> not
>>>> be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you
>>>> fulfillment
>>>> and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our
>>>> rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
>>>> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
>>>> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
>>>> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
>>>> blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That
>>>> has
>>>> both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we
>>>> are
>>>> working to convince the general population that they can and should
>>>> expect
>>>> more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by
>>>> the
>>>> public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport
>>>> somebody
>>>> tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of
>>>> another.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the best
>>>> versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with
>>>> love
>>>> and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so
>>>> much
>>>> from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new
>>>> technology
>>>> trick or something that enhances my independent travel or whatever it
>>>> might
>>>> be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know that some times
>>>> I
>>>> do
>>>> in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't truly necessary.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be
>>>> ready
>>>> to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is
>>>> what
>>>> we
>>>> aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of life
>>>> and
>>>> who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or
>>>> should
>>>> be
>>>> the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but same are
>>>> always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our
>>>> founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in
>>>> the
>>>> world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to
>>>> determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that
>>>> freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know
>>>> and
>>>> believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's
>>>> best
>>>> speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr.
>>>> Jernigan
>>>> from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you
>>>> do
>>>> so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised in
>>>> her
>>>> original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and
>>>> emphasize
>>>> success stories based on traditional notions of success and that we
>>>> don't
>>>> celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great point,
>>>> and
>>>> we
>>>> should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.  Convincing an
>>>> animal
>>>> shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is just as important
>>>> as
>>>> someone winning a national scholarship based on academic achievement at
>>>> the
>>>> highest level.  Both are part of living the life we want.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand
>>>> architecture,
>>>> the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because, for me, it
>>>> so
>>>> eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.  "Together with
>>>> love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.  I am
>>>> filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National
>>>> Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my
>>>> contributions
>>>> make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the
>>>> realization
>>>> of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Warmly,
>>>> 
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/scottdavert%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at
>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>> 
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Colorado-Talk mailing list
> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/rmcgeorge%40comcast.net
> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 9
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 18:35:36 -0700
> From: "Diane McGeorge" <rmcgeorge at comcast.net>
> To: "'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'" <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
> Message-ID: <012301d5c756$42742340$c75c69c0$@comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="utf-8"
> 
> Thank you, scott, you are obviously a thoughtful man and think carefully before you write on this list.
> If you follow this list, I urge you to read what Scott LaBarre, contributed.  As far as I know, he has stated what the motto really means.  
> I have been a member of NFB longer than most of you have been alive and have gained so much through becoming active and continue to do so.
> 
> Jenny, apparently your first encounter withus was not what you hoped for.  I encourage you tolearnmore and come back.  At my very firstnational convention, I was so overwhelmed by all the people and all the highly educated and daccomplished people that were there, that I feltpretty inadequate.  But I met many people who welcomed me warmly and encourage me to come again.  Of course I wasn't brave enough to tell anybody exceptmy husband how overwhelmed I felt.  Fortunately, he had been active longer than I and also encouraged me to continue andnot give up.
> 
> I certainly have done that and enjoyed every minute because of the people I have meet and of course of all the accomplishments we have made which have benefitted thousands of people who we will probably never know about.  
> 
> As for the centers we have established again throughout the country, we have been able to change lives all over the world.
> If it had not been for the NFB, these centers would not have come into being.
> I know the first directors well and do know Jennifer Kennedywho is now director at BLIND Inc., and I know from personal experience we were all encouraged so much by all of you whether we met you personally or not.
> 
> Well,I have gone on way toolong butI know that NFB has changed countless lives and encouraged everyone to "live the life you want", and that is a very individual choice for each person.
> 
> Best wishes to everyone
> Diane McGeorge
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 3:26 PM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
> 
> Perhaps I've just not been following the NFB closely enough, but I've always thought the Moro was a bit more general. As in, live the life you want to live, whatever that may be. Shrugs.
> As for insurance companies and coverage, they generally will cover contact lendses and eye glasses. Most do not cover hearing aids at all. Like Doula, I shelled out 8 grand to just be able to hear in my environment. It was no easy task, having to sell a lot of things and to compromise so much, but that's what I had to do. Not to mention paying a loan for the remainder of my balance. What would someone who doesn't have the ability to even finance stuff do? When you have no vision, if there is a chance you can get some of your hearing to use in your environment, I think a lot of people go for it. I could go on and on about issues facing the deaf-blind population, but it's not so relevant to folks on this list.
> I agree that a prescribed way of living is very narrow minded. I've caught a lot of criticism for using street crossing cards to get assistance from the  public in crossing streets due to my lack of directional hearing. Such criticism has turned me away from the organization, though I still try to do my part to educate and support people regardless of whether they think I'm indepdent or not. I'm mostly living the life I want, but perhaps not the one that is typical of whatever ideas and ideals others may have about my life.
> 
> Just my perspective,
> Scott
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 5:03 PM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Well, that is my mistake. I thought that they covered what someone needed for hearing aids.
>> 
>> I was definitely wrong about that, I apologize for assuming that, and I?m glad to learn something every day :-)
>> 
>> Jenny
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 12:44 PM, Doula Jarboe via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ?  What insurance do you know of that covers hearing aids?  At least the type that fits that person's hearing loss requirements, and not just what little bit the company thinks is sufficient?  I've had to pay out of pocket for my own hearing aids to have what I need, and it's just as expensive as assistive technology.  To give you an idea, one of my hearing aids cost 3500 dollars, and they are supposed to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.  Yes, there are programs out there for people who are low income, but otherwise, it's similar to obtaining assistive technology for blind people.
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 2:10 AM
>>> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: Jenny Perdue <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
>>> 
>>> No one?s asking to be babied. I?m just asking to be just as celebrated as someone who?s bringing in thedoe 
>>> 
>>> That?s not called Coddling or handholding.
>>> 
>>> The militant stuff from the NFB is a reason that a lot of people don?t join. Instead of being militant. Why don?t we give a hand up instead of telling people what they should do and they?re not giving them any help to do it.
>>> 
>>> Some of us for neurological reasons cannot be under sleep shade. Yet, the singers don?t care. Some of us have physical issues and need to concentrate on what we need to concentrate on as far as the things that we need to learn. It?s not one size fit oh. But it seems like if you can?t to sleep shade, and you can?t learn to make a meal for 60 people. You don?t get the opportunity to go to the centers.
>>> 
>>> Yes, you have learned to advocate, you have learned to be militant, you have learned all those things. Some of us have had to figure out everything on their own.
>>> 
>>> some of us got stuck in the boonies with abusive parents that could beat you in the front yard and nobody would care.
>>> 
>>> I?m sorry, I didn?t have time to be militant and fight for my rights. I was happy if I didn?t get a beat down once a week. Does anybody take that into consideration, do you take that into consideration. I had no advocate, I had to do everything on my own. A lot of us have.
>>> 
>>> So instead of telling us what we should do I?m just leaving us her own devices. If you?re successful. How about giving a hand up instead of telling us what we should do and how we should do it in a militant way.
>>> 
>>> Besides, I?m sorry, but being militant and beating people over the head with what we in the NFB think we deserve. Does not make the blind community look any better. In fact, it makes us look entitled, rude, and disrespectful. No one has to count out to us. Even though we?re blind. And in the NFB.
>>> 
>>> We fight so hard for legislature for accessible appliances, etc. Do we fight for those of us who cannot physically work but still need services. Can?t we fight to change the legislature that says that if you don?t work or go to school you can?t get help. Why don?t we fight for people who need this to. Not just the big cases that make a splash.
>>> 
>>> Why don?t we fight for minimum wage payments via Social Security disability for those of us who cannot work legitimately.
>>> 
>>> Why don?t we fight to be able to get certain equipment without all the hassle in the world. You can advocate for yourself all you want to. When the government does with the government does, and you have a legitimate need to be reliant on that. And you don?t even make minimum-wage when everybody knows that equipment for us is really expensive. Not covered by insurance. Oh, that?s something we can be militant about. Try to get entrance companies to have to cover our equipment, just like the cover wheelchairs and hearing aids.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Jenny
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Jan 6, 2020, at 2:56 PM, Eric Calhoun via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> ?I am compelled to respond on living the life I want.  If you are 
>>>> working, you are possessing skills that help you work.  NFB doesn't 
>>>> see that in everybody.  I am not going to work because someone tells 
>>>> me that I need to, I want to.  Same with blind training centers'  I am 
>>>> further along than most folks, and I don't need to rock climb or river 
>>>> raft, I've done this as a child.  Anyone who knows Braille Institute 
>>>> or the Foundation for the Junior Blind (Wayfinder Family Services for 
>>>> the Blind) knows that they don't need to be coddled, belittled, or 
>>>> made fun of.  At nearly 46, (birthday is March
>>>> 21,) I've been taught by NFB to be militant, self-reliant, and 
>>>> self-sufficient.  I will not hold someone's hand and coddle them; I 
>>>> will give them tough love.  When I went to the Utah State Convention, 
>>>> I saw 3
>>>> things: (1) blind people in action, (2) empowerment, and (3) a chance 
>>>> to go beyond blindness.  My Federation friends, NFB can only give us 
>>>> pointers, we must shine, not let people baby us.  You do not have to 
>>>> work to live the life you want.  You must grow, you must pray, you must live.
>>>> 
>>>> Living The Life I Want,
>>>> 
>>>> Eric
>>>> ..
>>>> 
>>>> ..
>>>> 
>>>> Happy 2020.  Eric on Facebook: eric at pmpmail.com; click on: Works for 
>>>> God, the Heavenly Father.  Want friends from all walks of life?  My 
>>>> group, Pen Pals, Prayer Requests, and more with Eric Calhoun, at 
>>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/631397660379317/
>>>> 
>>>> ..
>>>> 
>>>> Love Labradors?  P fease join my Facebook Group, Loving Labs, 
>>>> athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/2207028296232736/
>>>> 
>>>> Peace on earth!  Goodwill to men!
>>>> 
>>>> ..
>>>> 
>>>> God bless you all!
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%4
>>>> 0gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/doula.jarboe%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/scottdavert%40gmail.com
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Colorado-Talk mailing list
> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/rmcgeorge%40comcast.net
> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 10
> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:45:29 +0000
> From: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com>
> To: Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Colorado lawmaker writing bill to expand RTD
>    board, increase oversight
> Message-ID:
>    <MN2PR14MB4125BDE0FA0EDC66E4BCF152C6380 at MN2PR14MB4125.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> Colorado lawmaker writing bill to expand RTD board, increase oversight
> Sen. Jack Tate says agency needs a turn-around ?right now?
> 
> John AguilarJanuary 1, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. 
> Daily Camera file
> A passenger steps off an RTD bus at the Table Mesa Park and Ride last week in Boulder. A state senator is planning to run a bill in the 2020 legislative session that increases oversight of the sprawling transit agency. 
> A state senator plans to run a bill this year that would expand RTD?s board by two additional directors while increasing fiscal oversight of the sprawling transit agency, which has been struggling with declining ridership and the prospect of cuts to rail and bus service.
> 
> ?RTD needs a turn-around, not a Band-Aid, right now,? said Sen. Jack Tate, a Republican who represents a swath of Denver?s southern suburbs centered on Centennial. ?If they get their fiscal house in order, they will not have to be making these cuts in the future.?
> 
> Tate?s bill calls for the Regional Transportation District?s elected 15-member board of directors to grow by two new members, both of whom would be appointed by the governor. The new at-large directors would be tasked with advocating for disadvantaged communities in the district and riders with disabilities.
> 
> ?I believe RTD is a public service and as its core mission it needs to be providing transportation to the communities that need it most,? Tate said.
> 
> The General Assembly?s 2020 session begins Jan. 8.
> 
> The senator said he was spurred to draft the bill as it became evident that staffing shortages at RTD could lead to service cuts across the eight-county district. A proposal was recently unveiled by the agency to eliminate half a dozen bus lines and curtail service to 19 others, while also reducing runs on several light-rail lines.
> 
> The cuts, which would take effect in May, have not yet been approved by RTD?s board of directors.
> 
> ?The proposed service cuts told me the situation is dire enough for us to act right now,? Tate said. ?Service cuts result in lower ridership and that results in price increase pressure, which results in lower ridership ? wash, rinse, repeat.?
> 
> RELATED: RTD?s next general manager will face bumpy road as metro Denver?s mobility landscape gets more complex
> Several directors on the RTD board this week questioned the effectiveness of Tate?s bill, which also calls for several performance audits of the $1 billion agency?s fiscal health, with a focus on hundreds of millions of dollars in unfunded pension obligations.
> 
> ?I don?t think it?s ready for prime time,? Director Claudia Folska said of the proposed legislation.
> 
> Appointing two new members to a transit board that is already one of the larger ones in the country is not a good solution, she said. Folska said voters would have little say over who those appointees would be.
> 
> ?Who do you work for when you?re appointed and not elected?? she said.
> 
> Bob Broom, a director who represents much of Aurora, said the board is big enough currently.
> 
> ?More board members is not the answer ? it?s hard enough to gain consensus now,? he said.
> 
> Broom said it?s not clear to him how Tate?s bill would directly address the labor shortage issue RTD faces, which the agency said is a nationwide issue as the economy continues to hum and unemployment lingers well below 5%.
> 
> Tate also wants a higher level of transparency at RTD, including placing directors under the constraints of Amendment 41 and giving whistle-blower protection to employees filing complaints. Amendment 41, passed by voters 13 years ago, requires all elected officials to disclose any benefit or gift they receive valued at more than $59, with some exceptions.
> 
> Director Jeff Walker said the legislature ?has every right to get involved with RTD, as we are a creature of the state.? But he wasn?t sure Tate?s bill is the answer.
> 
> ?I don?t see a lot that?s going on at the agency as untrustworthy,? Walker said.
> 
> RTD spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas said she hasn?t seen the details of the bill but said the agency ?has some of the most extensive oversight of any agency in the state.?
> 
> Not that it has been smooth sailing for RTD recently. The opening of the G-Line to Wheat Ridge was more than two years late and the same delay is expected for the debut of the N-Line to Thornton.
> 
> In the meantime, ridership across the district has declined around 5% over the last four years.
> 
> In November ? as the agency was dealing worst labor shortage in the 50 years of its existence ? its general manager said he would step down in January, thrusting the agency into a nationwide search for a new leader.
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 11
> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 02:55:48 +0000
> From: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com>
> To: Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Resolutions for RTD in 2020
> Message-ID:
>    <MN2PR14MB4125CD037C30BD0CAB004850C6380 at MN2PR14MB4125.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Westward raises some very interesting solutions in this article.  What do you think<https://www.westword.com/news/denver-homes-for-sale-under-250000-in-january-2020-11600722>?
> 
> Gary Van Dorn
> Treasurer, Mile High NFBCO
> Chair, Mile High NFBCO Transportation Committee
> Board Member, NFBCO
> Treasurer, NFBCO Sports & Recreation Division
> President, NFB Public Employees Division
> 
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200110/831c952e/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 12
> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 03:02:33 +0000
> From: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com>
> To: Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] As CDOT Eyes New Bus Lines In Rural Colorado,
>    Tiny Dinosaur Stands To Lose Out
> Message-ID:
>    <MN2PR14MB41257B83A8C09175B614B502C6380 at MN2PR14MB4125.namprd14.prod.outlook.com>
>    
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> No surprise.  Smaller communities are losing service<https://www.cpr.org/2020/01/04/as-cdot-eyes-new-bus-lines-in-rural-colorado-one-tiny-town-stands-to-lose-out/>.  Sad.
> 
> Gary Van Dorn
> Treasurer, Mile High NFBCO
> Chair, Mile High NFBCO Transportation Committee
> Board Member, NFBCO
> Treasurer, NFBCO Sports & Recreation Division
> President, NFB Public Employees Division
> 
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20200110/88507dbf/attachment-0001.html>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 13
> Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2020 22:30:45 -0700
> From: Melissa R. Green <graduate56 at juno.com>
> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <20200110053045.graduate56 at juno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
> 
> Good morning.
> Thank you Jenny.
> I may be getting into trouble. But, I am going to state it. I will preface this, by saying, I am only trying to help, and my experience and opinion.
> The sleep shades has been diffeculty. Many people have given negative about the center. Some of this is also said about the NFB.
> If someone wants to leave the center. They can do that. They are adults. I have heard that the center wants every one to be totally blind. People are always are looking for someone to blame or make responsible for things in their lives.
> It was my choice to go to the center. Many never did go to any center. They got personal adjustment training. It is no perfect organization. Yes we do back the wrong horse at times. Yes we can get caught up with new people. With that said, we  learn from the mistakes and from each other. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
> Sincerely, 
> Melissa R.  Green and Pj 
> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Date: 01/09/2020 3:59 am
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
>> 
>> Yes you're told the requirements for CCB, but if you can't be under sleep shade, if there are things that you can't do. You shouldn't just be booted out because you don't meet the requirements.
>> 
>> I thought if anyone the NFB's Colorado Center for the blind would be Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don't think that I would really be able to do it.
>> 
>> Everybody doesn't fit in a box. And that includes those of us with multiple health problems.
>> 
>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don't agree on, we can still respect them.
>> 
>> Jenny
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> "First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background. 
>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and read, as webbl as live the life I want.
>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the little callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt whispering in my ear about her.
>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I did join.
>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to NewJersey. 
>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not helping me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself things like computers.
>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and making suggestions.
>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the centers. I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado. 
>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack for that, but it worked out. 
>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is tools in my tool box.
>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program was indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One student had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were hendering her, the staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found other programs for her. Nother student graduated and recieved his bell. I tell you all of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes they have a comversation about if this program will work for the person. As someone that is human, I get tired of people blaming the center for the program. You are told the requirements, and if not, then it 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
>>> Sincerely, 
>>> Melissa R.  Green and Pj 
>>> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>> 
>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>> 
>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined the NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very active member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience, I served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012, whose purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to rebrand our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.  One part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing what it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond just the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has many elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have some idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to  communicate.
>>>> 
>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as a model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script from which we must all lead our lives.  
>>>> 
>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home, volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message is that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should not be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you fulfillment and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>> 
>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>> 
>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we are working to convince the general population that they can and should expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of another.  
>>>> 
>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't truly necessary.  
>>>> 
>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but same are always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>> 
>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in the world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's best speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr. Jernigan from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you do so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>> 
>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and that we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.  Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the life we want.
>>>> 
>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because, for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.  "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>> 
>>>> Warmly,
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/graduate56%40juno.com
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 14
> Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2020 22:43:26 -0700
> From: Melissa R. Green <graduate56 at juno.com>
> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <20200110054326.graduate56 at juno.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
> 
> Hello all.
>   Very well said Doula.  You and many others are working. You are managing your own health issuses, and other issues.   
> I completely agree.
> I believe that living the life you want is a needed motto.
> I do feel that it means the building and strengthening relationships.
> For me, live the life you want means making your own choices, and not waiting for anyone to do it for you. Whether it be the NFB, ACB, or friends and family directing you and making choices for you.
> I am glad that people are speaking up. Sometimes only a few people will speak up, and others will agree with them. But they do not support the people  that  speak up.    
> I feel that I am on my own as well. However, I am able to reach out to many friends and family. I have made many friends in the organization. You are right  about members participating. in decisions and the organization.
> We do get lost and get caught up in our own lives. like all organizations there are many strong personalities in leadership. As well as all those that lead in a quiet manner. 
> Even though I have felt alone and on the fringes of the organization. I am grateful that it exists. The NFB is the right organization for me. 
> Going for training was right for me.   I have also given a lot, and worked my tail off for this organization. I have no regrets, because I made the choice. I can make the choice to leave as well. Just like I joined in 1992. 
> I am not employed. I have other health issues. I know that some may say that I don't meet their idea of success. I only please myself. I do have low confidence because of the things have happened in my life.
> I have been hurt by many of these things. But I am still here by choice. This organization is important to me. I am also glad that I have been able to give back and help other blind people.
> Like all organizations and communities, there is the us versus them, or get yours by yourself. You are look down on if you don't meet someone else's standards of success. Many people feel that this is the reason not to be a part of the NFB. 
> Anyway, I may have lost my point. Which is that we all make a choice to join the NFB, and we all have something to give. With that said, we all will feel that we aren't good enough at times. We want to be perfect for others, and ourselves. It doesn't matter what we do and how we contribute to the organization. Ultimately, we have to find it in ourselves as well.
> Lastly, this organization is important to me, that I came to convention on a walker. With high blood pressure and pain killers. It was important to me to show up at bell camp a month after being hospitalized. I believe that the future for blind people will be our kids. So I wanted  to be the best role model that I can for them. We have many role models in this affiliate. I am guilty of not showing my appreciation to everyone. I can get involved in myself. I don't know how to not make a homemaker or others  feel like I am being phony with them. I don't want any  phony accolades. That are  not genuine.  I know myself and others deserve better than that. I am going to stop now.
> However, I will finish by saying I am choosing to give to this organization. There are lots of us doing this. I say thank you! To the parents, teachers, students, and volunteers and homemakers. Thank you for what you teach me each day. Thank you for  what you do everyday for blind people. We are all worthy. DVR does not have the homemaking option any longer. We hear a lot about The training centers. It is frustrating, because these people are adults, and some are looking for something. The NFB centers are not for everyone. You can choose another center. Such as the west Evans center in Denver.  I think we need to investigate this, and many other things.
> We should  embrace all of our differences.  
> I encourage everyone, if it doesn't feel right then make suggestions and participate to make changes. Then if it still doesn't feel right,  or is not working for you. Take a break and examine what you gain from and in this organization, and why you  work so hard? For this organization, yourself,  and for blind people. Whether you are vanilla blind, have other medical issues, and other disabilities.  Blind people from all walks of life? I have done this. Ultimately, it is your self worth.  This is your cornerstone in your foundation. A blindness  organization is a very small part of my  life.  I don't expect everyone to feel the same. Lastly, just remember, you will still be you, with or without the NFB or any organization. 
> Thank you for reading. lets all join together and  continue to build the federation and ourselves. Lets also continue to celebrate our accomplishments, whether it is as a student, homemaker, employed person, or working at home. Lets celebrate making the choices to live the life we want! As well as striving for first-class citizenship. Someday I hope that people will see more than my blindness and my color, and other issues. We all need a chance and support!   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
> Sincerely, 
> Melissa R.  Green and Pj 
> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dianna Alley via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: his'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'"  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Date: 01/09/2020 2:20 pm
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
>> 
>> 
>> It is not an option.  If you even have really unusable light perception you have to wear them.  I also do not like being told what cane I can use either.  It is my body, my safety, my choice.  I think we should focus more on having the same options that are quality in our own communities as well.  If we do this, everyone will not have to leave their community unless they choose too.  I am very pro choice in life.  Unfortunately, for some people the centers are the only options to get any training that is any type of quality because their communities have crap for quality.  That is what is not right.  They should have choice, and the NFB centers should not be the only choice.  That makes them a monopoly, weather intended or not.  The NFB centers  should not have to be the only way 1but it is a way, and does help a lot of people.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sabndy Schleich via Colorado-Talk
>> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2020 11:45 AM
>> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Sabndy Schleich <saschleich7 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>> 
>> I understand what you're saying about the sleep shades Jenny. I have been asked in the past to go up to train at the CCB but I will not do it because I will not allow them to put sleep shades on me. I believe that if I have some vision I should be allowed to use it not be inhibited by sleep shades and not be told I have to do it. That should definitely be an option and I was told it is not an option. I could be wrong though.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 9, 2020, at 3:58 AM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> "Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
>>> 
>>> Yes you're told the requirements for CCB, but if you can't be under sleep shade, if there are things that you can't do. You shouldn't just be booted out because you don't meet the requirements.
>>> 
>>> I thought if anyone the NFB's Colorado Center for the blind would be Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don't think that I would really be able to do it.
>>> 
>>> Everybody doesn't fit in a box. And that includes those of us with multiple health problems.
>>> 
>>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don't agree on, we can still respect them.
>>> 
>>> Jenny
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> "First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background. 
>>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and read, as webbl as live the life I want.
>>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the little callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
>>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
>>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
>>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt whispering in my ear about her.
>>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
>>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I did join.
>>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to NewJersey. 
>>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not helping me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself things like computers.
>>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and making suggestions.
>>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the centers. I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
>>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
>>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado. 
>>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack for that, but it worked out. 
>>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is tools in my tool box.
>>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program was 
>>>> indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One student 
>>>> had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were hendering her, the 
>>>> staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found other programs for 
>>>> her. Nother student graduated and recieved his bell. I tell you all 
>>>> of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes they have a comversation 
>>>> about if this program will work for the person. As someone that is 
>>>> human, I get tired of people blaming the center for the program. You 
>>>> are told the requirements, and if not, then it
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> Melissa R.  Green and Pj
>>>> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
>>>> 
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
>>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined the NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very active member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience, I served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012, whose purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to rebrand our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.  One part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing what it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond just the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has many elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have some idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to  communicate.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as a model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script from which we must all lead our lives.  
>>>>> 
>>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home, volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message is that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should not be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you fulfillment and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>>> 
>>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>>> 
>>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we are working to convince the general population that they can and should expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of another.  
>>>>> 
>>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't truly necessary.  
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but same are always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in the world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's best speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr. Jernigan from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you do so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and that we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.  Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the life we want.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because, for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.  "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>>> 
>>>>> Warmly,
>>>>> Scott
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%
>>>> 40gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/saschleich7
>>> %40gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/dianna24%40earthlink.net
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/graduate56%40juno.com
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 15
> Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2020 23:54:06 -0600
> From: "Dianna Alley" <dianna24 at earthlink.net>
> To: "'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'" <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> Message-ID: <000201d5c77a$5f22a060$1d67e120$@earthlink.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="US-ASCII"
> 
> Some of us just lived life and learned as we go and are still learning.  I
> know this may be harder for those who go blind later in life.  I never got
> "personal adjustment" training or any training really.  I know I do not do
> everything the "blind" technique way, but don't really care.  I know I let
> people who are to see do more than a lot of people agree with, but I don't
> care about that either.  I am a productive parent to a small child and I
> want her to realize we live in an interdependent society not a totally
> independent one.  What I am doing works for me.  That is what counts.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Melissa
> R. Green via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2020 11:31 PM
> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Melissa R. Green <graduate56 at juno.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
> Good morning.
> Thank you Jenny.
> I may be getting into trouble. But, I am going to state it. I will preface
> this, by saying, I am only trying to help, and my experience and opinion.
> The sleep shades has been diffeculty. Many people have given negative about
> the center. Some of this is also said about the NFB.
> If someone wants to leave the center. They can do that. They are adults. I
> have heard that the center wants every one to be totally blind. People are
> always are looking for someone to blame or make responsible for things in
> their lives.
> It was my choice to go to the center. Many never did go to any center. They
> got personal adjustment training. It is no perfect organization. Yes we do
> back the wrong horse at times. Yes we can get caught up with new people.
> With that said, we  learn from the mistakes and from each other. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
> Sincerely,
> Melissa R.  Green and Pj
> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have
> a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Date: 01/09/2020 3:59 am
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
>> 
>> Yes you're told the requirements for CCB, but if you can't be under sleep
> shade, if there are things that you can't do. You shouldn't just be booted
> out because you don't meet the requirements.
>> 
>> I thought if anyone the NFB's Colorado Center for the blind would be
> Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all
> the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don't
> think that I would really be able to do it.
>> 
>> Everybody doesn't fit in a box. And that includes those of us with
> multiple health problems.
>> 
>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for
> being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don't agree
> on, we can still respect them.
>> 
>> Jenny
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk
> <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> "First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background. 
>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and read, as
> webbl as live the life I want.
>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the little
> callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more
> organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had
> met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt
> whispering in my ear about her.
>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I did
> join.
>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to
> NewJersey. 
>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not helping
> me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself things
> like computers.
>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and
> making suggestions.
>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the centers.
> I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and
> lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado. 
>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack for
> that, but it worked out. 
>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock
> climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is
> tools in my tool box.
>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program was 
>>> indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One student 
>>> had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were hendering her, the 
>>> staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found other programs for 
>>> her. Nother student graduated and recieved his bell. I tell you all 
>>> of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes they have a 
>>> comversation about if this program will work for the person. As 
>>> someone that is human, I get tired of people blaming the center for 
>>> the program. You are told the requirements, and if not, then it
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Melissa R.  Green and Pj
>>> "If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you
> have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!  My
> hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
>>>> 
>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our tagline
> "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's thoughtful
> comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
>>>> 
>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give you a
> little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first joined the
> NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a very active
> member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that experience, I
> served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even late 2012, whose
> purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the
> Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it was time to rebrand
> our messaging so that we could more effectively communicate who we are.  One
> part of that rebranding was changing our tagline from  "we are changing what
> it means to be blind" to the current "live the life you want!"  Beyond just
> the tagline, we developed a comprehensive brand architecture which has many
> elements that would serve as an excellent focal point for future
> discussions.  In any event, I mention all this because I think I have some
> idea of what we intended regarding the message we were attempting to
> communicate.
>>>> 
>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this
> conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and
> that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not
> really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole heartedly
> believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such thing as a
> model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular script from
> which we must all lead our lives.  
>>>> 
>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should not
> hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all of
> our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the realities
> we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health based, or
> otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It doesn't
> matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from home,
> volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main message is
> that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness should not
> be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you fulfillment
> and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation of our
> rebranding, brings this point out.
>>>> 
>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back."
>>>> 
>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.  That
> has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external side, we
> are working to convince the general population that they can and should
> expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations held by
> the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an airport
> somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in front of
> another.  
>>>> 
>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the
> best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with
> love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so
> much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new
> technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or
> whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know
> that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't
> truly necessary.  
>>>> 
>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and be
> ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This is
> what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of
> life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or
> should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but
> same are always adjusted to the individual student.
>>>> 
>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As our
> founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in the
> world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to
> determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that
> freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and
> believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's best
> speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr. Jernigan
> from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage that you do
> so.    It is available through our national website.
>>>> 
>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny raised
> in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus and
> emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and that
> we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a great
> point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.
> Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is
> just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on
> academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the life
> we want.
>>>> 
>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand
> architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because,
> for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.
> "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into
> reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the
> National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my
> contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate the
> realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
>>>> 
>>>> Warmly,
>>>> Scott
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3
>>> %40gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/graduate56%
>> 40juno.com List archives can be found at 
>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Colorado-Talk mailing list
> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Colorado-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/dianna24%40earthl
> ink.net
> List archives can be found at
> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 16
> Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2020 06:51:56 +0000
> From: Anahit LaBarre <alabarre at cocenter.org>
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
> Message-ID: <340A1AE7-1F10-484C-8416-7F96A6D9BC4C at cocenter.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
> Greetings everyone. 
> I would like to take a moment and wish all of you a very Happy and a healthy New Year! It has been very informative to read all of the thoughts and ideas shared on this thread. My story and my take is quite different from many of you. I came from a country where there are no opportunities for people with any kind of disability or limitation, or differences, for that matter. So, while we have a long journey ahead of us to reach full equality in our society here, we have so much available to us. So, what does Living the life I want mean to me? It is complex but yet very simple. It means I have the knowledge, the tools and the ability to make a choice. Every day I tell myself, as well as my students, that we are all human. And the complexity and beauty of it is that we WILL make mistakes, we will choose wrong at times. But We have the right and the opportunity to make those choices. No one organization, workplace, social group or school environment can possibly be right for everyone. There are things you might disagree with in the way things are done. However, I choose to focus on the strengths and the aspects that will support my beliefs and ideas. If I find that at its core an organization or a work space aligns with my values, if I find that I can gain from it, as well as add to it, if I find that with a productive dialogue we can make things better, I choose to belong. Does this mean that I agree with everything that is ever said or done? Not necessarily. But we come again to the power of choice and the fact that I chose to belong here, I chose to make this my home. So this means I will share, in a productive way, what my thoughts are, I will contribute what I can at the time needed. This is what is so crucially important to me. As a person who grew up in a place where choices were made for me, I value the freedom to make my own decisions, to discuss openly, to be productive and to turn criticism into an opportunity for improvement, while appreciating all that is positive and available to me. Hope this helps. And yes, we all make mistakes, yes, we all make the wrong choice at times. But we sure try. Having. Supportive and constructive environment helps create opportunities for a better future, for collaboration and for a workplace or an organization where care and vision for a greater good prevails. My commitment is to have compassion, to listen and to problem solve together. But making a choice on a daily basis is up to me. There are hard days, where just getting out and facing the world seems almost impossible. It is on those days that we need to work hard to focus on the positive and what we have. It will help us get through the day. We need to focus on what makes us strong, unique and what we have to share with this world. And when the brighter tomorrow comes, we can extend a hand to a friend in need. Before we ask of others to see our worth, we find it ourselves. It looks different to everyone. I value honesty, kindness and loyalty. So i focus on that for myself. Or at least I try. None of those core values are achievement-based but they are important to me. Find what makes you strong! We all have a gift to share. Thank you to all of those who have contributed. Please do stay active, bring productive ideas and thoughts, stay involved on a local level and make a difference for yourself and for others. Once we chose a home, let?s make it stronger! Hope everyone has a very good weekend. 
> 
> Warmly on this not very warm night :) 
> Anahit
> 
> Sent from a mobile device 
> 
> 
>> On Jan 9, 2020, at 6:38 PM, Diane McGeorge via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> ?Thank you, scott, you are obviously a thoughtful man and think carefully before you write on this list.
>> If you follow this list, I urge you to read what Scott LaBarre, contributed.  As far as I know, he has stated what the motto really means.  
>> I have been a member of NFB longer than most of you have been alive and have gained so much through becoming active and continue to do so.
>> 
>> Jenny, apparently your first encounter withus was not what you hoped for.  I encourage you tolearnmore and come back.  At my very firstnational convention, I was so overwhelmed by all the people and all the highly educated and daccomplished people that were there, that I feltpretty inadequate.  But I met many people who welcomed me warmly and encourage me to come again.  Of course I wasn't brave enough to tell anybody exceptmy husband how overwhelmed I felt.  Fortunately, he had been active longer than I and also encouraged me to continue andnot give up.
>> 
>> I certainly have done that and enjoyed every minute because of the people I have meet and of course of all the accomplishments we have made which have benefitted thousands of people who we will probably never know about.  
>> 
>> As for the centers we have established again throughout the country, we have been able to change lives all over the world.
>> If it had not been for the NFB, these centers would not have come into being.
>> I know the first directors well and do know Jennifer Kennedywho is now director at BLIND Inc., and I know from personal experience we were all encouraged so much by all of you whether we met you personally or not.
>> 
>> Well,I have gone on way toolong butI know that NFB has changed countless lives and encouraged everyone to "live the life you want", and that is a very individual choice for each person.
>> 
>> Best wishes to everyone
>> Diane McGeorge
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via Colorado-Talk
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 3:26 PM
>> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
>> 
>> Perhaps I've just not been following the NFB closely enough, but I've always thought the Moro was a bit more general. As in, live the life you want to live, whatever that may be. Shrugs.
>> As for insurance companies and coverage, they generally will cover contact lendses and eye glasses. Most do not cover hearing aids at all. Like Doula, I shelled out 8 grand to just be able to hear in my environment. It was no easy task, having to sell a lot of things and to compromise so much, but that's what I had to do. Not to mention paying a loan for the remainder of my balance. What would someone who doesn't have the ability to even finance stuff do? When you have no vision, if there is a chance you can get some of your hearing to use in your environment, I think a lot of people go for it. I could go on and on about issues facing the deaf-blind population, but it's not so relevant to folks on this list.
>> I agree that a prescribed way of living is very narrow minded. I've caught a lot of criticism for using street crossing cards to get assistance from the  public in crossing streets due to my lack of directional hearing. Such criticism has turned me away from the organization, though I still try to do my part to educate and support people regardless of whether they think I'm indepdent or not. I'm mostly living the life I want, but perhaps not the one that is typical of whatever ideas and ideals others may have about my life.
>> 
>> Just my perspective,
>> Scott
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 5:03 PM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Well, that is my mistake. I thought that they covered what someone needed for hearing aids.
>>> 
>>> I was definitely wrong about that, I apologize for assuming that, and I?m glad to learn something every day :-)
>>> 
>>> Jenny
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 12:44 PM, Doula Jarboe via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> ?  What insurance do you know of that covers hearing aids?  At least the type that fits that person's hearing loss requirements, and not just what little bit the company thinks is sufficient?  I've had to pay out of pocket for my own hearing aids to have what I need, and it's just as expensive as assistive technology.  To give you an idea, one of my hearing aids cost 3500 dollars, and they are supposed to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.  Yes, there are programs out there for people who are low income, but otherwise, it's similar to obtaining assistive technology for blind people.
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 2:10 AM
>>>> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Cc: Jenny Perdue <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
>>>> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
>>>> 
>>>> No one?s asking to be babied. I?m just asking to be just as celebrated as someone who?s bringing in thedoe 
>>>> 
>>>> That?s not called Coddling or handholding.
>>>> 
>>>> The militant stuff from the NFB is a reason that a lot of people don?t join. Instead of being militant. Why don?t we give a hand up instead of telling people what they should do and they?re not giving them any help to do it.
>>>> 
>>>> Some of us for neurological reasons cannot be under sleep shade. Yet, the singers don?t care. Some of us have physical issues and need to concentrate on what we need to concentrate on as far as the things that we need to learn. It?s not one size fit oh. But it seems like if you can?t to sleep shade, and you can?t learn to make a meal for 60 people. You don?t get the opportunity to go to the centers.
>>>> 
>>>> Yes, you have learned to advocate, you have learned to be militant, you have learned all those things. Some of us have had to figure out everything on their own.
>>>> 
>>>> some of us got stuck in the boonies with abusive parents that could beat you in the front yard and nobody would care.
>>>> 
>>>> I?m sorry, I didn?t have time to be militant and fight for my rights. I was happy if I didn?t get a beat down once a week. Does anybody take that into consideration, do you take that into consideration. I had no advocate, I had to do everything on my own. A lot of us have.
>>>> 
>>>> So instead of telling us what we should do I?m just leaving us her own devices. If you?re successful. How about giving a hand up instead of telling us what we should do and how we should do it in a militant way.
>>>> 
>>>> Besides, I?m sorry, but being militant and beating people over the head with what we in the NFB think we deserve. Does not make the blind community look any better. In fact, it makes us look entitled, rude, and disrespectful. No one has to count out to us. Even though we?re blind. And in the NFB.
>>>> 
>>>> We fight so hard for legislature for accessible appliances, etc. Do we fight for those of us who cannot physically work but still need services. Can?t we fight to change the legislature that says that if you don?t work or go to school you can?t get help. Why don?t we fight for people who need this to. Not just the big cases that make a splash.
>>>> 
>>>> Why don?t we fight for minimum wage payments via Social Security disability for those of us who cannot work legitimately.
>>>> 
>>>> Why don?t we fight to be able to get certain equipment without all the hassle in the world. You can advocate for yourself all you want to. When the government does with the government does, and you have a legitimate need to be reliant on that. And you don?t even make minimum-wage when everybody knows that equipment for us is really expensive. Not covered by insurance. Oh, that?s something we can be militant about. Try to get entrance companies to have to cover our equipment, just like the cover wheelchairs and hearing aids.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Jenny
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>> On Jan 6, 2020, at 2:56 PM, Eric Calhoun via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> ?I am compelled to respond on living the life I want.  If you are 
>>>>> working, you are possessing skills that help you work.  NFB doesn't 
>>>>> see that in everybody.  I am not going to work because someone tells 
>>>>> me that I need to, I want to.  Same with blind training centers'  I am 
>>>>> further along than most folks, and I don't need to rock climb or river 
>>>>> raft, I've done this as a child.  Anyone who knows Braille Institute 
>>>>> or the Foundation for the Junior Blind (Wayfinder Family Services for
>>>>> the Blind) knows that they don't need to be coddled, belittled, or 
>>>>> made fun of.  At nearly 46, (birthday is March
>>>>> 21,) I've been taught by NFB to be militant, self-reliant, and 
>>>>> self-sufficient.  I will not hold someone's hand and coddle them; I 
>>>>> will give them tough love.  When I went to the Utah State Convention, 
>>>>> I saw 3
>>>>> things: (1) blind people in action, (2) empowerment, and (3) a chance 
>>>>> to go beyond blindness.  My Federation friends, NFB can only give us 
>>>>> pointers, we must shine, not let people baby us.  You do not have to 
>>>>> work to live the life you want.  You must grow, you must pray, you must live.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Living The Life I Want,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Eric
>>>>> ..
>>>>> 
>>>>> ..
>>>>> 
>>>>> Happy 2020.  Eric on Facebook: eric at pmpmail.com; click on: Works for 
>>>>> God, the Heavenly Father.  Want friends from all walks of life?  My 
>>>>> group, Pen Pals, Prayer Requests, and more with Eric Calhoun, at 
>>>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/631397660379317/
>>>>> 
>>>>> ..
>>>>> 
>>>>> Love Labradors?  P fease join my Facebook Group, Loving Labs, 
>>>>> athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/2207028296232736/
>>>>> 
>>>>> Peace on earth!  Goodwill to men!
>>>>> 
>>>>> ..
>>>>> 
>>>>> God bless you all!
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%4
>>>>> 0gmail.com List archives can be found at 
>>>>> <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/doula.jarboe%40gmail.com
>>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%40gmail.com
>>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/scottdavert%40gmail.com
>>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/rmcgeorge%40comcast.net
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Colorado-Talk mailing list
>> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/alabarre%40cocenter.org
>> List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Subject: Digest Footer
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Colorado-Talk mailing list
> Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> End of Colorado-Talk Digest, Vol 161, Issue 11
> **********************************************

_______________________________________________
Colorado-Talk mailing list
Colorado-Talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Colorado-Talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/graduate56%40juno.com
List archives can be found at <http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org>