[nabs-l] it all had to start somewhere

[T. Joseph Carter]

Meghan,

I do believe you've hit upon the reason why scholarship winners are 
not all active Federationists.  The NFB selects students it believes 
have strong potential to lead or otherwise contribute to the 
organization in the future.

Some of those are Federationists already--students whose dreams are 
big, and their determination bigger.  We hope that they will use the 
investment to finance their dreams and perhaps go a little further 
than they thought they could.

Others have scarcely heard of the Federation before applying.  The 
committee tries to find those who will not accept the status quo.  
Any why not?  We of the National Federation of the Blind actively 
reject what they tell us is normal for a blind person.

It is only natural for someone who wants more to find common cause 
with us.  We are sick of scraping by month-to-month on the public's 
back.  We demand more for ourselves than a life of paratransit, party 
lines, and internet surfing.  We demand the opportunity to compete on 
the terms of the sighted, if we can.  As long as the opportunity is 
genuine, we find that our determination more than makes up for the 
shortcomings of blindness.  Not only can we compete, but we do it 
every single day.

We're always glad to find like-minded people.  =)

Joseph

-- 
How many children in America are not taught how to read?
If they are blind, the answer is 90%.
Find out how you can help: http://www.braille.org/


On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 09:32:43AM -0500, Meghan Whalen wrote:
>    I became involved in the NFB after recieving a state scholarship.  
> Honestly, I thought I would be likely to grab my money and run, but the  
> organization resonated so strongly with me that I have stayed.  I now do 
> all I can to help others feel that connection and find themselves.
>
> Meghan 
>
>
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