[nabs-l] it all had to start somewhere

[Darian Smith]

i think that what's so  good to hear, and important to hear is that
you have individuals who found the federation through those members
who are positive role models.  This is one thing to always keep in
mind. can we do more than talk about the  philosiphy? can we  live  it
in what we do? can we identify those things that turn people away from
 the organization, and make ourselves aware of it, while at the same
time highlighting the great things that we do? The great role models
we've seen, the amazing people we've met? Amazing, not for their
blindness, but for their personality, their spirit. The spirit that
is not easily found in any human being.  Megan found it, as did
Serina,  when it's easy to miss it if one does not have a guide or a
reason to look.  We could be doing plenty of other things with the
time we  normally put into our divisions, states, conventions and so
on, but we don't.  Why is that? who do we hope to tuch in our lives,
in what we do here? .  What's  so great about the student division,
about  the federation is that each of us has the ability to tap into
that which brought us  to the federation and use that as a driving
force in a way to get people involved.

 Darian

On 8/24/09, T. Joseph Carter <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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