[humanser] FW: [Chapter-presidents] Sunday, November 20th piece about blindness

Sun Nov 27 17:21:29 UTC 2016

I am so impressed with the NFB and President Riccobono for reacting so quickly and reaching out to this man and responding to the NY Times.  

I  found the article very difficult to read.  It stirred up such a personal reaction about this man's unneccesarily sorry state and the implied belief that this is the only possible outcome for him.   I worry that readers with vision loss who are isolated and ill- informed about the possibilities, will find that this article reinforces any negative and hopeless attitudes.

Ginny

Dr. V. Duff 
Clinical Director
West End Assertive Community Treatment Team 
St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto
Psychiatrist,
Extended Forensic Out-patient Services 
Centre For Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
Lecturer, University of Toronto

> On Nov 26, 2016, at 11:18 AM, Merry Schoch via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi JD and all,
> 
> 
> 
> Below you will find a note from President Riccobono regarding the article.
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> 
> 
> I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving day!  
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> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Merry C. Schoch, LCSW
> 
> 
> 
> From: Chapter-presidents [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of President, National Federation of the Blind via Chapter-presidents
> Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2016 8:41 AM
> To: NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list
> Cc: President, National Federation of the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Sunday, November 20th piece about blindness
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Fellow Federationists:
> 
> 
> 
> Happy Thanksgiving to you!
> 
> 
> 
> I wanted you to know that I have initiated outreach to this gentlemen and we have also offered a brief note to the Times noting that one reason he may have his point of view is that he has not yet had the benefit of meeting successful blind mentors like those that can be found in our organization.
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> 
> 
> Keep building,
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> From: Chapter-presidents [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Campbell via Chapter-presidents
> Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 10:26 PM
> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'
> Cc: Elizabeth Campbell
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Sunday, November 20th piece about blindness
> 
> 
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> 
> 
> I think that Mr. Hoagland would be a tremendous asset to the writers division. Although his philosophy on blindness is negative and does not reflect the far more positive and practical views of the Federation, Mr. Hoagland has a lot to offer. Perhaps he has a negative view about blindness because he doesn’t feel useful and doesn’t think he can accomplish things.
> 
> He wrote his essay and also recently wrote a novel. Perhaps contacting him and letting him know that his writing is quite impressive and there is equipment out there that can help him remain independent. He probably hasn’t received the necessary training.
> 
> He may also choose not to take advantage of the numerous resources that are available, but I can tell by his writing that he has tremendous potential and a lot to offer.
> 
> From: Chapter-presidents [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via Chapter-presidents
> Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 4:15 PM
> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list' <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] Sunday, November 20th piece about blindness
> 
> 
> 
> I couldn’t get to the whole article, but I think you do have to show a little compassion for the guy. Now I would have preferred there not be this article, but think where this reporter, heading quickly for 80 years of age, is feeling. If we could only find how to reach out to him. That isn’t the one who spoke at our convention if you are talking about last summer.
> 
> Cindy
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> 
> 
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> From: Chapter-presidents [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rik James via Chapter-presidents
> Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 1:33 PM
> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list' <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Rik James <rixmix2009 at gmail.com>; 1889lnave at gmail.com
> Subject: [Chapter-presidents] Sunday, November 20th piece about blindness
> 
> 
> 
> Hello fellow chapter presidents and friends,
> 
> As the hours pass and the turkey basting is about to begin, I thought I would do a quick post to the group before I forgot.
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> 
> 
> I imagine many of you who regularly read the New York Times have read the piece in the Sunday Review section of this past Sunday’s edition.
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> I even think I may remember this writer having been covered in the Monitor or at a convention. My memory is fogbound today.
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> 
> 
> IN any case, I felt like it could certainly spur a lot of conversations in our chapters around the country. So I post the web link to it here.
> 
> But of course it is NFB-Newsline where I first read it. While the writing is well done, of course the perspective is counter to much of the philosophy we embrace in the Federation. I have felt and thought some of what Mr. Hoagland says. But today I am so grateful here on Thanksgiving that I get to hear many other voices and people expressing more about a person’s progression toward blindness that is much more productive.
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> http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/opinion/sunday/feeling-my-way-into-blindness.html?_r=0 
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> 
> If this has already been posted, my apologies. I have been offline for a bit.
> 
> Happy Thanksgiving.
> 
> Save some of your gravy for tomorrow. It will taste even better!
> 
> 
> 
> Rik James
> 
> Bozeman, Montana
> 
> At-Large Treasure State Chapter
> 
> NFB of Montana
> 
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