[FLAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation

Thu Mar 11 02:17:27 UTC 2021

Merry, this is all so disturbing! Marion has been such a leader for years and years in NAGDU and FLAGDU! I can't think of anyone who is as well informed about the rights of guide  dog users than Marion. 
I so appreciate all the hard work and leadership that your husband has put in over the years. Both of you have been invaluable members of the Federation. I'm just upset about losing Marion as a valuable leader in the NFB. 

With a heavy heart, 

Kathy

-----Original Message-----
From: FLAGDU <flagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Merry Schoch via FLAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2021 8:40 AM
To: Florida Association of Guide Dog Users <flagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Merry Schoch <merrys at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [FLAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation

Thank you Debbie for your kind words and encouragement. You know that he is not going to go anywhere as far as working to help those who need him! Like he said in a previous post, “when you turn around, I’ll be there!“

I am trying to encourage him to create a nonprofit for this type of work. We shall see what he decides. Thanks for your support!

With gratitude,
Merry

Sent from my iPad

> On Mar 9, 2021, at 10:50 AM, Debbie Hietala via FLAGDU <flagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Marion, instead of you resigning, you should ask for the resignation of the
> current National Guide Dog Users.   You are too much of an asset for us to
> loose you.  It is not like you not to put up a fight for all of us.
> 
> Respectfully
> Debbie Hietala
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: FLAGDU <flagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala 
> via FLAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 5:27 PM
> To: NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>; NFB of 
> Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>; 
> nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org; flagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Marion Gwizdala <marion.gwizdala at verizon.net>
> Subject: [FLAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation
> Importance: High
> 
> President Riccobono,
> 
> 
> 
>                On April 22, 2020, Southeastern Guide Dogs forcibly 
> removed the guide dog of les Demers, a member of the Tampa bay chapter 
> of the National Federation of the Blind of florida and the Florida 
> Association of guide Dog users. As president of the National 
> Association of Guide Dog Users, I have had several calls relating 
> similar instances in which Southeastern abruptly and without warning, 
> without evidence of abuse or neglect, and without due process forcibly 
> removed a guide dog from its blind handler. On March 5, 2021, I 
> received a call from Rev. susan Blake, a blind Episcopal priest in the 
> diocese of Orlando, stating that Southeastern Guide dogs showed up at 
> her residence unannounced on March 4, 2021 and forcibly removed her dog because it "looks like it is about four pounds overweight".
> I immediately contacted Raul Gallegos whose first reaction was "I need 
> to contact Southeastern." He seemed unconcerned about this abusive, 
> undignified, unethical, and immoral behavior and contacting Rev. Blake 
> was an afterthought. President Gallegos has Rev. Blake's contact 
> information and, as of the date of this writing, has not reached out to Rev. Blake.
> 
> 
> 
>                The board of directors of the National Association of 
> Guide dog Users met to discuss the incident concerning Mr. Demers and 
> chose to not pursue this case. If they had, perhaps Rev. Blake would still have her dog!
> 
> 
> 
> I have held various elected leadership positions with the National 
> Federation of the blind since 1987. Since 2004, I have served on the 
> board of directors of the National Association of Guide dog Users, 
> including assuming the presidency by succession in 2007 and elected to 
> the presidency in 2008. I have dedicated my life to protecting the 
> rights of guide dog users and have invested countless hours and 
> financial assets in the organization, believing it was the best avenue 
> for change in the manner in which guide dog users are treated. If you 
> were to ask any active member of NAGDU what the primary focus of my 
> administration was, most would say "Ownership upon completion of 
> training". We discussed ownership during nearly every meeting and I 
> frequently questioned those training programs with ownership policies 
> other than full and complete ownership after completion of training as 
> to their rationale for such paternalistic policies. Their 
> justifications for these policies were as paternalistic as the policies themselves!
> 
> 
> 
> It is very apparent the National Federation of the Blind and the 
> current administration of the National Association of Guide dog users 
> is not interested in protecting the rights and dignity of blind guide 
> dog consumers. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve and 
> support an organization that disregards the basic fundamental rights 
> of blind consumers. Effective immediately, I am resigning my 
> membership in the National Federation of the Blind and the National 
> Association of Guide Dog Users. This will also serve to resign my 
> elected offices as president of the Florida Association of Guide dog 
> Users and the board of directors of the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of florida.
> 
> 
> 
> Respectfully submitted,
> 
> Marion Gwizdala
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Marion Gwizdala
> 
> (813) 626-2789
> 
> Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net <mailto:Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net>
> 
> 
> 
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