[Home-on-the-Range] thinking about the new year by reviewing the past

[Dianne]

	Good morning all- this morning I found my e mail topsy turvy and am at the bottom of my saved messages…thought I’d read a few and think I’d like to share at least this one from 2013. A lot has taken place since then, including the passing of Jack, my husband of 44 plus years. None the less the point of not only reviewing the past but making some determined New Year’s resolution is always a good idea.  I challenge you to pick at least one skill that you would like to improve on and ‘“go for it” this coming year. Change is usually difficult but I hope each of you will consider challenging your fears and  with your NFB family take charge of your life. We of the Senior’s Division, are open and willing to help and encourage you . 

The note I will forward from 2013 focuses on the difficulty that the rehab center for the blind experienced when transitioning to a more “structured discovery learning (SDL) teaching method…this curiously started with the premise that people either already blind or losing their vision should know how to use a white cane. Whether they chose to use it following their training opportunity was then their choice, but at least they knew its use, purpose and possible worth. It’s a little crazy to recall the level of resistance on this first step among the staff, client’s and even the community. 

If you are still reluctant to give the “cane” a try, perhaps this is the year…it could even save your life.  
Happy holidays to each of you.
Dianne
PS. Some of our newer NFBKS members may not know that I was Administrator for VR Blind Services of Kansas from 2000 until retirement in 2008. Prior to this position I was a VR Counselor for the agency beginning in 1988. I joined “and actively participated” in the NFB beginning  sometime in the “70’s.