[Home-on-the-range] …the power of one and the impact of organization

[Dianne Hemphill]

Happy New Year federationists! Be all that you can be this 2013 by making and following through with at least one life changing (for the better!) resolution. .. are you doing all you can do for your own quality of life as well as positively impacting those around you? To help you think about where you want to go in your quest for a better life, read the January Braille Monitor from Bob Detan, article 5. I've known and worked with Bob while in VR and knew some of his story but find his account of how he determined to move out of almost suicidal depression due to his blindness to turning his life around completely and making daily positive impact, really powerful.   His story is similar to many others but told in a manner that helps define how the NFB can move us to a better place and how once there we can help others as well. Bob helps us better define the differences between "traditional" rehab training and SDL - "structured discovery learning". The entire Nebraska Commission for the Blind encompasses the positive philosophy of the NFB. The Rehab Director, Fatosee Floyd and the Commission Director, Dr. Pearl Van Zandt,  foster an environment of positive training that manages to build both high quality skills and confidence  in their graduates. Fatose Floyd  and about a dozen rehab students came to the Kansas Rehab Center to provide instruction  to staff  on practical SDL application  methods.  Director Van Zandt, PhD, met with the current VR Director to provide explanation  on how why SDL was such a powerful training approach. Dr. Van Zandt is sighted and truly supports this approach... too bad Kansas was unable to move forward with this training approach but thank goodness Kansas has contracts with the NFB Centers for training to VR clients seeking blindness training as part of their vocational plan.  

So make a positive resolution regarding the quality of your life which will snow-ball to all  you live with and meet as you go around your community. Another meaningful article in the January Monitor is the ulogy for Newell Perry . Don't miss out on the best year ever...make it happen! Dianne