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<DIV>Hello,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The senator won't be confused between the issues does want to help as many
as possible. Now if someone wants to write up a short narative of the Goodwill
minium wage matter I'll submit to his staff that have been helping me with an
issue.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>There have been many great points made, but teh major one is that there
does need to be more information gotten out to teh public on the
differences and levels of blindness adn visual impairedness. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 7/17/2013 9:11:14 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
elevegnale@sbcglobal.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
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<DIV>Hi, Nathanael,</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Very elloquently put!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I think that we should enlist Mr. Blumenthal's help on our issues at hand
such as the minimum wage problem with Good Will. Very true, this is a
little baby who needs help, but as Justin said, we don't want to send mixed
messages to Mr. Blumenthal.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Esther<BR><BR>Sent from Esther's Amazing iPhone!</DIV>
<DIV><BR>On Jul 16, 2013, at 9:46 PM, "Nathanael T. Wales" <<A
title=mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com
href="mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com">ntwales@omsoft.com</A>>
wrote:<BR><BR></DIV>
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<DIV>All,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>This is indeed a complex subject. I am glad we are discussing
it. And I appreciate the diplomacy and graciousness everyone has
shown.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I am glad that we all seem to agree that the surgery to save this
baby’s sight is not a moral question. And I am glad that we agree to
keep the commitment we have made as an organization through our elected
president.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>There seem to be two distinct issues at hand, and I think we are
blurring (if you will) that distinction:</DIV>
<DIV>1. what the NFB’s philosophy would have to tell us on whether this baby
should have surgery</DIV>
<DIV>2. what and how much assistance in getting that surgery our work as an
organization, or as Justin quoted from our NFB pledge the “programs of the
Federation”, should be</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: ; COLOR: ; TEXT-DECORATION: ; DISPLAY: inline">
<DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: ; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>As a philosophical matter Justin has
appropriately quoted, “The real problem of blindness is not the lack of
eyesight; it is the lack of information and misperceptions which
exist. With the proper training and opportunity, blind people can lead
normal, productive lives.” Information from two Federation leaders is
clear that in India a) lack of information, b) misperceptions about
blindness, c) grossly inadequate training, and d) such little opportunity
that it is comparable to the United States in 1940 are almost certainly the
case. Our own Federation leader Joyce Cain has written in better
detail, and Joanne Wilson, founder of our NFB’s Louisiana Center for the
Blind and former Commissioner of the federal Rehabilitation Services
Administration (whose first husband and father of her five children was
Indian), would confirm this. In order to live a “normal, productive
life”, the expense to change even one of these four prerequisites would
require more money, public good will, and political capital than this child
needs to receive surgery in the United States.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Let me address the more fundamental
philosophical matter, which in comparison is a first world problem but one
that impacts all of us to one degree or another. Assuming that the
cost, in time, effort, and expense (the individual’s, his or her family’s,
or society on his or her behalf), of medical intervention to prevent or cure
blindness was the same as a) providing information, b) addressing
misperceptions about blindness, c) getting proper education and/or training,
and d) fighting for and creating opportunities, which would we choose?
Our NFB philosophy tells us that with these four prerequisites we can have
“normal, productive lives” with blindness reduced to the level of a
nuissance or inconvenience. All things being equal, we should choose
the option with less nuissance or inconvenience. There is neither a
moral problem (as we all agree) with preventing or even curing blindness nor
is there an inherent philosophical problem. Consider Mark Riccobono’s
speech to the General Session at our recent National Convention: he spoke of
his daughter who inherited one of the genetic conditions that causes his or
his wife’s (I forget whose) blindness; the doctors are following it,
treating it, but should they fail he and his wife will turn to what I am
sure would be the best in the world information, proper perceptions,
education, and creation of opportunities. Efforts to prevent, treat,
and cure blindness are often done with horrible assumptions about blindness
that are diametrically opposed to our philosophy, but those assumptions are
not inherent and the Riccobonos’ example is one of several where it is done
fully consistent with our philosophy as the assumption.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> The
issue for us to consider really is </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Calibri>what and
how much assistance in getting that surgery our work as an organization, or
as Justin quoted from our NFB pledge the “programs of the Federation”,
should be. The NFB does this rarely as an organization, and there are
other charities who do, such as the Lions as Trevor suggested. In
calculating the medical intervention—its cost, likelihood of success, risks,
etc.—we as an organization have little to no experience. Some members
who have participated in this discussion have seen doctors at Yale and
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (one of whom is widely regarded as as
close to a god in ophthalmology as possible) and have not seen these doctors
in New York at all. Do we know that these are the best doctors for
this baby? Have we sought second opinions? I don’t raise these
questions to criticize the decision made. How could I? How could
any of us? I raise them to point out that as a program of the
Federation we couldn’t in the future begin to provide or even recommend
medical intervention well and really should leave that for others who
could.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>This is before even moving on to any negative
public perception we may have created. I have watched the link to the
News 12 story and formed my opinion of it; I encourage everyone to do the
same. But even if I thought News 12 got it exactly correct, the
likelihood that we would get our message out with dignity and the assumption
that blindness is not a tragedy while collecting money for medical
interventions is pretty low. On this listserve we have not even come
to a philosophical conclusion ourselves on the matter, so in future it will
be difficult for us to go to the public with such a program.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>What we do best consistent with our
philosophy is create a normal</FONT><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT
face=Tahoma><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </FONT></FONT><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>image of blindness, advocate for excellent education for blind
children, provide best-in-the-world training for blind adults, and create
ever-increasing opportunities for blind people to succeed in every facet of
life we can think of. I recommend that we keep the commitment we have
made, give thought to this philosophical matter at hand, and move forward
with what we agree on and know we do best.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>For example, since we’ve made a connection
with Senator Blumenthal, let’s use it. He doesn’t have to go to India
to find people paid at pennies an hour; he just has to look at disabled
people in this country, and he can do something about that,
too.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Best,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Nathanael T. Wales</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=mailto:tattenberg@gmail.com href="mailto:tattenberg@gmail.com">Trevor
Attenberg</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 16, 2013 12:19 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List'</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Ct-nfb] \blind Babies and the
NFB</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; DISPLAY: inline">
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<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d">Hey’ll,<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">While I can’t speak for
Justin, just like neither Justin nor I can speak for you or anyone else when
push comes to shove, what Justin said is derived from NFB official documents
and pledges. The reason this conversation has become rather long and
complex, is because it is a more complex issue than what meets the eye.
Justin and I have been involved in a lot of NFB related functions and
institutions, like the Louisiana Center for the Blind. This does not make
our opinions any more relevant than yours; but we have gotten a good sense
of NFB policy and philosophy. The NFB philosophy is central to the
organization’s actions. The NFB does indeed seek to help those in need; but
in this case, Justin and I believe the action here is not the most effective
means of offering help, both for the family, and for the blind as a whole.
This thinking is very much derived from our exposure to NFB philosophy. As
many a blind person knows, sometimes what seems helpful can actually do much
damage. With this said, none of us wish to intrude on efforts to help this
child with vision problems. It is simply requested we do not make this an
NFB issue for reasons stated.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d">
The NFB has a long history of turning down requests for assistance from
blind people. Federationist and blind lawyer Scott Labarre brought this up
after the mock trial at the National Convention. Sometimes blind people do
something foolish, or they hurt themselves as a result of lack of mobility
skills. Then they come to the NFB lawyers for defense or to file a law suit.
This obviously isn’t quite what we’re talking about with this child and
family; but it goes to show how the Federation conducts its business based
on our knowledge of the equal potential of blind
people.<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Best to
ya,<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Trevor
A <O:P></O:P></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><O:P></O:P></SPAN> </P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> Ct-nfb [<A
title=mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</A>]
<B>On Behalf Of </B>Sandee Kush<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 16, 2013 9:14
AM<BR><B>To:</B> NFB of Connecticut Mailing List<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Ct-nfb]
\blind Babies and the NFB<O:P></O:P></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I am concerned and confused by the long statement that
Justin wrote.<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I do not know who the "we" represents, just that it does
not represent my thinking and others.<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>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?<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I have learned to keep things simple. Perhaps if
the following questions were answered in a sentence or two, I might have
some clue.<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>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…..<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>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?<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>How does brining this situation into an internal
NFB controversy benefit anyone in any way?<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><O:P></O:P> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I applaud and am proud to be associated with Beth Rival's
and immediate team's efforts!<O:P></O:P></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Thank you.<O:P></O:P></P></DIV>
<P></P>
<HR>
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