[Home-on-the-range] Hope for the Blind

Thu Oct 11 12:04:55 UTC 2012

We were trying to remember exactly how long you had been at Ag, Susie. That is an inspiring story for sure.

Cindy

On Oct 11, 2012, at 7:00 AM, Stanzel, Susan - FSA, Kansas City, MO wrote:

> I started this yesterday, but I had to go to a meeting and couldn't finish it. I know myself how much help from another blind person impacted my life. When I was a junior in college I was corresponding with a blind computer programmer. He told Roy Zuvers about me. Roy worked at the United States Department of Agriculture as a programmer. He got me on for two months between my junior and senior years. Then I was supposed to return after graduation. That did not work out because there was a hiring freeze. There was an opening at the City of Kansas City. Now, the really unbelievable thing happened. The Missouri bureau for the blind had been working to get a blind person into the City as a programmer. I was not the only blind applicant, but I was obviously better prepared because I was selected for the position. I had worked for the City for two years and nine months. Roy called me and said there was hiring. I returned to Agriculture on May 12th of 1974. Just think what those two men did. They changed the whole direction of my life. I also can't really discount what the Missouri Bureau did because the City was open to the idea of hiring a blind person. Actually, the Missouri councelor was very happy that a blind person was hired.
> Susie
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Home-on-the-range [mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dianne Hemphill
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 7:18 AM
> To: NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List
> Subject: [Home-on-the-range] Hope for the Blind
> 
> Hi everyone - I volunteered to help with facilitating  topics of interest on our list serve. Did you know that there are state affiliates that haven't made this wonderful communication tool available? With this in mind, I think we need to remind ourselves that our affiliate leaders have ensured that we, of Kansas, have this easy method to exchange info, promote learning and share ideas. Thanks again to our forward thinking leaders for giving us this communication tool.
> 
> So what is "hope for the blind"? It  is an actual location where the blind of Nigeria can obtain skills training. Several years ago I accompanied a small group of humanitarians for a 3week medical mission in western Africa in the northern, hot dusty, somewhat western Kansas like, part of Nigeria. Our first week was spent at "Hope for theBlind" located in northern Nigeria. This is the only adult training center for blind adults in Africa. It, like so many realities, was begun by a visionary man, Beatrice Guano and his sighted wife. Baiters went blind as a child from measles. One of his siblings died from measles and the third survived without other health ramifications. Baiters is a very strong Christian and daily prayed with his family on how he might help others that are blind or going blind. He first went to University to become a chiropractor in England, as I recall. He joked and laughed about hauling his case of actual bones with him so that he would ensure an actual "hands on" knowledge and application of his studies. He was the first in Africa to become a chiropractor and, unlike many that go way for education and training, returned to his home to work with his "people" who needed so much help. He sacrificed making a lucrative living by returning to his home where earning a dollar a day was typical. Many blind in the surrounding communities heard about this man and came to his door asking for help. They too dreamed of the day where they had "the right to live in the world". With almost no personal money, Baiters felt that his real calling was to provide a training center for the blind of Africa. And with faith and hope he and his family began. His son Andrew, quit his job as a financial manager in a bank to work for his father. Andrew is fully sighted. His father made him go through all of the training that was designed for those who came to "Hope for the Blind". This meant many days and even weeks under sleep shades. At this same time, I had finally had support from my boss to proceed with moving our training facility to a "structured discovery" model. We laughed at the irony that "Hope for the Blind", with its many limitations, still had the good sense to ensure its staff was trained under sleep shades if they had sight.
> 
> I bring you this snap shot in order to remind us that even one person can "change what it means to be blind". Just think what the federation has accomplished through the dedicated efforts by our many members over the almost 75 years... that is why I found the interview of Newell Perry so fascinating. He was what we might refer to as, visionary and compelling in his positive attitude about  blindness.
> 
> In order for us in Kansas to continue learning and being inspired to help ourselves  and others, i would love for us all to join in with ideas, stories, questions and ways that we might get the word out to those out there dreaming of their own "hope for the blind".
> 
> If at all possibleI would appreciate our chapter leaders and affiliate board members to do the following:
> 1. check with your members to see if they are on home on the range. If they aren't would they like some help getting on line?
> 2. Encourage everyone to contribute. We can all learn from each other. Our elected leaders can provide a lot of insights, for example. Those more new to the NFB can help us with what they are concerned and struggling with.
> 3. Ideas of what is on your minds?
> 
> I urge each of you to make this  an important part of your life. You never know who you might impact and provide "hope for the blind". Dianne _______________________________________________
> Home-on-the-range mailing list
> Home-on-the-range at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Home-on-the-range:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org/susan.stanzel%40kcc.usda.gov
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Home-on-the-range mailing list
> Home-on-the-range at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Home-on-the-range:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com