[Home-on-the-range] sharp knives

[Dianne Hemphill]

Good morning federationists...as I listened to this weeks Matilda Ziegler (News Line), I continued to be reminded at how the NFB  and the "white cane laws" have continued to change our lives. Recently, for example, Christine Ha, a totally blind woman, won first place on the "Master Chef". This is a T.V. show featuring non-professional chefs competing for very coveted awards. Jack and I tuned into it as much as possible. Christine did us proud...her posture was positive and erect, she used her long white cane , and she never let her lack of vision  to make excuses . She  went forward using her skills to  her ability to create and replicate masterful pieces from touch and taste. Starting with 100 contestants, when narrowed down to 3, three world renowned chefs , were brought into judge. The French chef, when asked if he thought much about Christine's blindness, brushed off the somewhat leading question by responding that any good chef must be able to cook with their eyes closed. Christine's interview is featured in this weeks MZ where her first recommendation for cooks is to have really sharp knives. This is followed by being very organized...this week's MZ also has stories about blind comedians and blind participating in tandem bike riders in New York. Several articles  focus on whether the word "blind" sufficiently  addresses the spectrum of vision loss  and other thought provoking stories. Do you use "sharp knives", ride tandem  bikes for pleasure or racing...do you think the blind is making progress by entering and sometimes winning the challenges in life... I think we have for many decades now been given the right to try new things by the persistence of our visionary leaders.  We can  compete now on terms of equality and, just like everyone else, have the opportunity tottery new things and not just sit on the side lines dreaming for the day...the day is here. What challenges have you given yourself the internal "push" to do that you might not have done in prior years? Dianne