[Ct-nfb] \blind Babies and the NFB

Justin Salisbury PRESIDENT at alumni.ecu.edu
Tue Jul 16 16:16:44 UTC 2013


Sandee:

                Thank you for taking the time to ask your questions.  I am copying and pasting your questions below with my responses.

You said: "The NFB should not get involved in a humane effort to improve the quality of a baby's life, due to the resources the U.S. has available because....."

>> I will assume that this is your first question.  I do not believe the first part of your statement, so I will not add anything after the "because."  The NFB exists to get involved in humane efforts to improve the quality of babies' lives.  The real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight; it is the misunderstanding and lack of information that exist.  If a blind person has proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a physical nuisance.  We exist to address the real problem of blindness: the misunderstanding and lack of information.  Giving one person eyesight doesn't change anything about the real problem.

You said: "How are  the efforts to communicate the message of the NFB regarding the mission of individual independence and society's consciousness raising  been reduced  significantly because of a humane desire to publicize the plight of a baby by involving a dedicated political representative?"

>> There are two parts to the answer.

1.       With the public: If we are trying to change misperceptions about blindness, we are erasing our work by turning around and endorsing misperceptions about blindness.  The frantic effort to get surgery for this baby, though benevolent, is teaching people that a lack of eyesight is a problem beyond a mere physical nuisance.

2.       With Senator Blumenthal: We are trying to enlist his assistance with policy changes to change what it means to be blind.  These policy changes stand upon accurate foundational beliefs that blind people are equal and can lead normal, productive lives with the right training and opportunity.  When we participate in this effort, we are telling him that those accurate foundational beliefs are actually not true.  It is so easy for people to revert to the comfort of the misperceptions that are so deeply rooted in society.  In order for us to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind, we must be unwavering in our belief in blind people.  I don't take any person or group of people seriously about a topic if they contradict themselves about it, and I don't think I'm alone there.
You said: "How  does brining this situation into an internal NFB controversy benefit anyone in any way?"

>>This was a controversy from the moment we got involved in it.  I'm fulfilling my responsibility as a leader in our organization and movement by educating those on this listserv about the purpose of our organization and mission of our movement.  I am further fulfilling my responsibilities by addressing the misperceptions present here and providing necessary information.

Yours,

Justin Salisbury

Justin M. Salisbury
B.A. in Mathematics
Class of 2012
East Carolina University
president at alumni.ecu.edu<mailto:president at alumni.ecu.edu>

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    -MARGARET MEAD


From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandee Kush
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 9:14 AM
To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
Subject: [Ct-nfb] \blind Babies and the NFB

I am concerned and confused by the long statement that Justin wrote.
I do not know who the "we" represents, just that it does not represent my thinking and others.
Reference is made to Dr Mauer and other leadership political positions, were these people contacted or these "manifestos" interviewed or investigated prior to including them in such a grandiose point of view statement?

I have learned to keep things simple.  Perhaps if the following questions were answered in a sentence or two, I might have some clue.

The NFB should not get involved in a humane effort to improve the quality of a baby's life, due to the resources the U.S. has available because.....

How are  the efforts to communicate the message of the NFB regarding the mission of individual independence and society's consciousness raising  been reduced  significantly because of a humane desire to publicize the plight of a baby by involving a dedicated political representative?

How  does brining this situation into an internal NFB controversy benefit anyone in any way?

I applaud and am proud to be associated with Beth Rival's and immediate team's efforts!
Thank you.
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