[nabs-l] why is it important to join an organization of the blind?

[Carly Mihalakis]

Hi, Chris,

Just as you and other organized, blind folk are allowed to thrive due 
to a comradery with others who lend support, a home made up of people 
with whom you identify, there are those who prefer to operate without 
the emotional/benefit, of an organization. Is there not room, for 
everyone, here?
I find it a little, creepy your trying to lay a template made up of 
your own beliefs upon other blind people. Not every, single blind 
person wants everything the Federation is, in there lives.
for today, Car" to one organization; some say they don't agree with 
either organization's philosophy and don't want to identify 
themselves with either organization and their philosophy, and there 
are other reasons as well.  I try to explain to them the value of the 
Federation in my life, and how joining an organization of the blind 
connects you with a diverse network of resources, who can help answer 
almost any question they would have related to blindness.  I also try 
to explain to them that if they had any problems, being a part of an 
organization would help them with their advocacy efforts; the more 
people you have advocating, the more effective the advocacy is.  But 
they still don't want to be affiliated with an organization.  So I 
want to get your thoughts on these questions; why do you think it is 
important to be a member of an organization of the blind? Of what 
benefit/value is an organization to its members, and to blind people 
at large? Some people have said to me, "Sighted people don't have any 
organizations dedicated to their concerns as sighted people; why 
should I join an organization dedicated to blindness?" Still others 
have said, "Don't you (Federationists) want to be equal with sighted 
people? If so, then why do we (blind people) need to be organized in 
some kind of organization exclusively of and for the blind and people 
associated with the blind?" These are some interesting questions; 
what would your responses be to those people? I look forward to 
hearing your thoughts on this!
>Thanks,
>
>Chris
>
>"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The 
>real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that 
>exists.  If a blind person has the proper training and opportunity, 
>blindness can be reduced to a mere physical nuisance."
>-- Kenneth Jernigan
>
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