[nabs-l] How can NFB better include people with multiple disabilities?
Loren Wakefield
theweird1 at mediacombb.net
Tue Apr 1 16:23:00 UTC 2014
It's not just disabilities that can benefit. That basics and understanding
and putting it in to practice is a fantastic philosophy for humans in
general to practice. I know it is aimed at the blind. However, people in
general could benefit from it tenants.
Loren
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 8:46 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people with multiple
disabilities?
You could also communicate with a deaf person by putting your hands over
theirs. It takes practice, but this is how I and a deafblind lady
communicated while at the rehabilitation center.
I agree that the philosophy is boxed in. We could add something about it
applying despite any other disabilities.
Jewel
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 1, 2014, at 8:38 AM, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Good morning, Kaiti,
>
> Growing up, one of my schoolmates, Corrina, had Usher's syndrom so
was effectively deafblind. I remember it being difficult to communicate but
still I am intrigued by deafblind communication. I'm sure you know tof an
incredibly vibrant deafblind community.
> So, they have ways to communicate.
> More later...
> fir today, Car
> At 01:12 AM 4/1/2014, Kaiti Shelton wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> This is a great topic to converse about, and one I feel strongly
>> about as someone who is going into a rehabilitation field.
>>
>> I have noticed for a long time that the NFB philosophy seems to be
>> boxed in. That is, when we talk about it in our conventions, it is
>> always framed as "The philosophy of blindness," when really, it is
>> something anyone with any disability can follow. I've said that I'm
>> going to strive to teach it to my music therapy patients, whether
>> they are fighting cancer, adjusting to an acquired disability, or are
>> otherwise chronically ill. Misunderstanding and misconceptions
>> aren't just the problem with blindness, they're the problems with
>> anything that is outside of the "norm," and I think we're doing wrong
>> if we box it in to just talking about blindness. It does a great
>> disservice to those with other disabilities who could benefit from
>> it, as well as those who are blind with a comorbid disability.
>>
>> I am set to give a talk about visual impairment to an intro to music
>> therapy class next week, as they are finishing a chapter in the
>> textbook about sensory disorders and disabilities. Having read that
>> book for that class last year, I know there are some things the book
>> got right, and some things that I disagree with. It will be
>> challenging for me to correct the misconceptions the first year
>> students have been taught, but that is the same challenge deaf people
>> face, and people with Autism Spectrum Disorders face, and people with
>> mental illness face. I think that, although as the National
>> Federation of the Blind we don't necessarily have a right to try to
>> gain as much expertese on these other things as blindness per keeping
>> relevant, but we can realize that our philosophy and ideals can be
>> bigger than blindness, and can be even further reaching.
>>
>> I had a talk with a deaf guy last semester. He came to speak to
>> music therapy club about deafness, and taught us some sign language.
>> Since I couldn't see what he was signing, I was unable to grasp a lot
>> of what he taught. Classmates next to me tried to help position my
>> hands, but they were busy trying to do the signs themselves. I'll
>> admit that the communication barrier between the speaker and I made
>> me a little frustrated, so after the meeting I went up to him and
>> explained my situation. I said that I had an interest in learning
>> sign language so I could communicate with deaf people, but didn't
>> know how to logistically pull it off. He taught me how to sign,
>> "Sorry, I can't see you," so that I could first tell the deaf person
>> I was blind (I didn't have my cane folded out when I was sitting at a
>> desk for the presentation, so since he didn't see it he didn't know).
>> Then he thought a bit about how the deaf person would be able to
>> communicate with me, since if they were unable to speak themselves
>> pen and paper wouldn't work. The best he could tell me was that the
>> finger spelling would do the job, but at least I would be able to do
>> the signing, which is more efficient. He said that would show the
>> deaf person I had taken the time to learn how to communicate with
>> them, even if they couldn't easily communicate with me, and at least
>> I wouldn't have the frustration of tediously fingerspelling myself.
>> It was cool, because afterwards he took a real interest in my
>> notetaker and the braille display. It would be so cool if there
>> weren't those separations between people with disabilities, and we
>> could all work for a common goal.
>>
>> I know at conventions some deafblind people feel kind of left out,
>> because all these blind people are whizzing past them and they can
>> easily get disoriented in the crowds. I think helping the deafblind
>> is a great start, but we do need to consider other disabilities, and
>> combinations of disabilities with blindness as well. I don't know if
>> I have an answer to how this can happen yet, but I think a big chunk
>> of it is practicing what we preach. If we want sighted people to
>> know the truth about blind people, and treat us as equals, we need to
>> do the same for the deaf, those with Autism Spectrum Disorders and
>> Developmental Disorders, and those with mental illness.
>>
>> Just my two cents worth... curious to see what others think.
>>
>> On 3/31/14, Joe <jsoro620 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > Don't worry. My week is chaotic, so short post. One thing the guide
>> > dog division has done that I find neat is that they've become a
>> > tangible resource to fellow guide dog users. The way I understand
>> > it, you can call a hotline and get concrete assistance with advocacy,
training referrals, etc.
>> > Perhaps mental health could be addressed in a similar fashion. Peer
>> > assistance could go a long way, because after all, who is going to
>> > be in a better position to help than someone who's been there?
>> >
>> > --
>> > Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>> >
>> > Visit my blog:
>> > http://joeorozco.com/blog
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Beth
>> > Taurasi
>> > Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 7:32 PM
>> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people with
>> > multiple disabilities?
>> >
>> > On one hand, being dual disabled, blind and mentally ill, can mean
>> > that your family can shelter you a lot and tell you you can't run
>> > for a leadership position. That's not right, and I think we need
>> > to do some educational campaigns that say that yes, we can lead.
>> > Alll this talk of academic excellence could lead to people being
>> > left out: people with Turner's Syndrome, Down's Syndrome, etc.
>> > Both have limits and one has an educational impairment along with
>> > it. We need to educate the people about mental illness in that it
>> > does not cause people to go "psychotic"
>> > twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. No, it does not mean
>> > we are all experiencing delusional thoughts of grandeur. My
>> > parents thought I was delusional and placed me under a guardianship
>> > due to that and their lack of knowledge and understanding of the
>> > disorders I was diagnosed with at 17 and later at 19. There
>> > would've been better ideas on solving the problems, but with little
>> > knowledge, parents make decisions that aren't always the best, such
>> > as guardianship or incapacitation or placement in a group home that
>> > won't allow the person to talk with his/her friends.
>> > Beth
>> >
>> > On 3/31/2014 3:53 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:
>> >> Hi all,
>> >>
>> >> I'd like to start a separate thread to address an important issue
>> >> that's come up recently. It's clear that more and more blind folks
>> >> today also have other disabilities. For several reasons, the
>> >> number of blind people with additional disabilities is likely to
>> >> increase, and more than that, the number of blind people with
>> >> additional disabilities who are getting educated and involved in
>> >> advocacy is likely to increase. I do think that, for the most
>> >> part, the NFB centers do a good job of tailoring training to the
>> >> needs that people with other disabilities may have, but I also
>> >> think that we as an organization have far to go in order to truly
>> >> appreciate the contributions of all blind people. I think it's
>> >> particularly true when we think about including people with
>> >> intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. These kinds of
>> >> conditions are stigmatized in general, but especially since our
>> >> leadership has tended to be highly educated and to stress academic
>> >> excellence and consistent effort from the leadership, I can see
>> >> how folks who have intellectual disabilities, mental illnesses or
>> >> chronic health conditions can feel left out. I've known some blind
>> >> folks who had trouble holding down leadership positions in the NFB
>> >> due to the ups and downs of mental illnesses, for example, but who
>> >> are still incredibly creative and passionate people with a lot of good
ideas that are getting lost.
>> >> Further, as several folks have pointed out, people with multiple
>> >> disabilities can experience difficulties related to getting
>> >> employment, education, etc. that the NFB hasn't really been able
>> >> to help them with.
>> >> I agree that NFB can't be expert about all disabilities, just
>> >> blindness, but I think there is a definite place for more
>> >> divisions and groups within the NFB that focus on other
>> >> conditions. There is a deaf-blind division, but I have not heard
>> >> many great things about its effectiveness. I have heard about
>> >> efforts to possibly start a blind-rollers division, and it makes
>> >> sense to me that blind wheelchair users might have unique concerns
>> >> they'd want to discuss with each other. But to my knowledge such a
>> >> division has not been formed. I would love to see a division for
>> >> blind people with mental health conditions. This is a huge segment
>> >> of our population, and there are probably unique concerns there. I
>> >> am not sure if such divisions don't exist because the national
>> >> leadership opposes them or if there just hasn't been enough
>> >> interest or momentum to get them going. But I think having such
>> >> divisions could help folks who have additional disabilities obtain
>> >> leadership positions within the organization, and also to provide
>> >> a vehicle for collective action and education about issues
>> >> affecting these groups specifically, even if the NFB as a whole
>> >> should just focus on blindness. I hope that makes sense. I would
>> >> be interested in other suggestions from you about how members with
>> >> multiple disabilities can feel more valued. While there is
>> >> something to be said for going ahead and running for leadership
>> >> positions in order to change things, change also needs to come
>> >> from the organization as a whole if folks with multiple disabilities
are going to be elected and welcomed in these positions.
>> >>
>> >> Best,
>> >> Arielle
>> >>
>> >> On 3/31/14, Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com> wrote:
>> >>> Joe and others,
>> >>>
>> >>> It is not my position that anything said about the NFB that is
>> >>> negative is wrong. Organizations are made up of human beings and
>> >>> we are not perfect so our creations are not likely going to be
perfect.
>> >>> Still, some of what one person may seem as wrong isn't so much a
>> >>> matter of right or wrong as perspective and opinion. We embarked
>> >>> a good while back now on an expansion that has resulted in the
>> >>> need to raise more funds than we used to have to raise. I do not
>> >>> think I am alone among NFB supporters in recognizing that this is
>> >>> a risk. When you look at our budget and that of the ACB and then
>> >>> compare legislative successes as you did, Joe, it is certainly
>> >>> clear that legislative successes are not proportional to one's
>> >>> budget. Whether I completely agree with legislation ACB passes
>> >>> or not, I recognize that the ACB has made contributions.
>> >>> However, I have felt for some time and I feel particularly more
>> >>> so now that our problems can't be solved by legislation alone. Let's
take accessibility, for example.
>> >>> There is a lot of emphasis on getting more legislation passed
>> >>> that will force software to be accessible, for example. I happen
>> >>> to believe this is necessary, but it isn't going to make
>> >>> everything better for us, particularly on the job, all by itself.
>> >>> If we are going to make any serious gains, we need to understand
>> >>> the limits of current technology and explore ways of getting
>> >>> information that is new. I am not one who got all excited about
>> >>> being able to drive a car, although I certainly hope that blind
>> >>> people can do that at some point. However, I got very excited
>> >>> about the fact that as a result of looking at the problem, we
>> >>> experimented with a number of ways of getting information that
>> >>> had not been explored before. A significant portion of our
>> >>> budget went into the KNFB reader. At the time, it was something
>> >>> nobody was doing, and it was a moving experience when I held up a
>> >>> KNFB reader to the lists of registered people at a national
>> >>> convention that were just hanging from a crossbar and have it
>> >>> start to read the content. There have probably been over a
>> >>> thousand kids who have attended science camps of one kind or
>> >>> another through our efforts. We have been able to sponsor other
>> >>> gatherings as well for blind lawyers, teachers, and major players
>> >>> in the technology field. We couldn't have done any of this in
>> >>> the 80's or 90's, and much of this would not have been done even now
if we hadn't tried it.
>> >>>
>> >>> So what's my point, I'm not saying anything new, you know all this.
>> >>> My point is that a lot of this is about risks and perspectives.
>> >>> We won't know for a long time if some of these efforts will make
>> >>> a difference. Frankly, I am a believer that one learns almost as
>> >>> much from what doesn't work as one learns from what does, because
>> >>> if you make a mistake you can eliminate or refine that approach.
>> >>> Will some of those thousand kids get into math or science because
>> >>> of what we did? Is the OCR in the new HIMS product a little
>> >>> better because of what we did with the KNFB reader? Will we see
>> >>> a really good reader on the iPhone? Might we ever see a reader
>> >>> that could use artificial intelligence to interpret software on a
>> >>> computer screen instead of having to educate every person who
>> >>> writes software? Will some of our efforts mean that there might
>> >>> be a way for us to control the Google self-driving cars because of
some of the work we did on our own car?
>> >>> I hope that at least some of the answers are yes, but at this
>> >>> point I can't really say. What I do know is that the smaller
>> >>> dynamic grass roots organization that we were in the 80's
>> >>> couldn't have had any affect on some of what I've listed above,
>> >>> nor was it the right time for that. But it also means that we
>> >>> change. Not only do we change, but we make mistakes as we adjust
>> >>> to change. Joe, what you see as a downward spiral, I see as the
>> >>> challenges of change. I'm not satisfied to say that it has to be
>> >>> that way, though. We can and must learn how to do better, as
individuals and as an organization.
>> >>>
>> >>> Joe, I think you are right that getting training at one of our
>> >>> centers won't miraculously make life better, and the marketing
>> >>> does sometimes imply that. However, you are wrong to draw
>> >>> conclusions about such training based upon the marketing.
>> >>> Discussing and exploring the uncertainties and challenges of
>> >>> seeking employment as a blind person is a big part of what is
>> >>> addressed at BLIND Incorporated here in Minnesota and I assume by
>> >>> our other centers. Some of the point of such training is to
>> >>> encourage the idea that you have to have a set of tools to approach a
given situation and not just one tool.
>> >>> Still, we have to do more than run people through training.
>> >>> This is true of any single aspectof our challenges, though.
>> >>> Legislating that software must be accessible and that one cannot
>> >>> discriminate based upon a disability was and is still needed, but
>> >>> it won't matter much if we don't have training. Legislation and
>> >>> even training won't matter all that much if we don't get a good
>> >>> basic education.
>> >>> Requiring that school districts teach braille won't fix that
>> >>> problem if there are no braille instructors in a given area. You
>> >>> can't pick any one thing out and say that it can lead to success
>> >>> by itself, and you can't see any given issue as completely standing
on its own.
>> >>>
>> >>> I feel that we are in a better position as an organization to
>> >>> impact the complex challenges we face with a larger budget than we
were.
>> >>> However, it is more important than ever that we understand where
>> >>> we are going and how our philosophy fits in. The question of
>> >>> what can we change to address the challenges of the world and
>> >>> what do we need the world to change is more important than ever,
>> >>> and I don't see anyone asking questions like that outside of this
>> >>> organization. With our strengths and our failings, I think our
>> >>> understanding of asking for help and looking for our own
>> >>> solutions is what has set us apart in my mind, and while it is
>> >>> risky, I think that branching out is a risk worth taking to try
>> >>> to have a wider impact. We need the help of all members, though, to
handle change.
>> >>>
>> >>> Best regards,
>> >>>
>> >>> Steve Jacobson
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> On Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:57:22 -0600, Jamie Principato wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> Arielle,
>> >>>> That was a very thoughtful and politically sensitive response.
>> >>>> Joe,
>> >>>> I am pleased to see I am not alone in making these observations
>> >>>> furring my own relationship with the NFB. while I
>> >>> deeply respect the organization's history and truly appreciate
>> >>> the raw potential the organization has moving forward, the
>> >>> passion I joined with back in high school has turned to cautious
>> >>> cynicism. I don't think this perspective is bad, though. I think
>> >>> the NFB desperately needs members who can see past the smoke and
>> >>> mirrors of PR, and who are willing to discuss issues of blindness
>> >>> and politics in a no-nonsense way that isn't always easy to hear.
>> >>> It is a shame though when those of us less willing to toe the
>> >>> line and pander to those with political power are treated with
>> >>> hostility by some at the national level, and more still within our
local chapters.
>> >>>
>> >>>> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>>>> On Mar 30, 2014, at 12:00 PM, Arielle Silverman
>> >>>>> <arielle71 at gmail.com>
>> >>>>> wrote:
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Hi Joe,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have not been following
>> >>>>> the Braille Monitor that closely but I can understand what you
>> >>>>> are saying about the increased emphasis on fund-raising. I have
>> >>>>> also felt like the national convention is turning into more of
>> >>>>> a carnival with all the exhibitors and prizes being given away,
>> >>>>> and much of banquet that used to focus on philosophy and NFB
>> >>>>> spirit is now taken up with prize drawings and the like.
>> >>>>> To be fair, NFB was stronger financially when we joined than it
>> >>>>> is now, and I understand that some national programs have been
>> >>>>> cut due to a decrease in revenue from what used to be steady
>> >>>>> reliable income sources. So NFB may be pushing fund-raising
>> >>>>> more, but the alternative could be a loss of programs and
resources.
>> >>>>> I have not heard of anyone being blatantly turned away or
>> >>>>> refused membership in an NFB chapter. If that ever happens it
>> >>>>> is truly shameful. I do think that sometimes prospective
>> >>>>> members choose not to join because they perceive hostility from
>> >>>>> the organization or judgment of their lifestyle choices. I
>> >>>>> think part of that is perception only, and part of it is
>> >>>>> reality. The NFB is stereotyped as a radical one-size-fits-all
>> >>>>> organization, and new members expecting to find that could be
>> >>>>> especially sensitive to cues of hostility. However, there
>> >>>>> probably is some real lack of acceptance among certain segments
>> >>>>> of the organization, which, again, is unfortunate. I will say
>> >>>>> that I am not the most graceful blind person and was relatively
>> >>>>> unskilled when I first joined, and I still felt completely
>> >>>>> accepted. But I know not all of us are so lucky. I would
>> >>>>> encourage prospective members who have a negative experience to
>> >>>>> try again in a different chapter or division and perhaps they
>> >>>>> will find acceptance there. But at the same time, this is
>> > something we need to be sensitive to in the organization.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Arielle
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>> On 3/30/14, Michael Capelle <michael.capelle at frontier.com> wrote:
>> >>>>>> Hello all.
>> >>>>>> This is why I am not apart of any "blind movement." I live my
>> >>>>>> own life, live my own philosophy, ETC. I do not believe in a
>> >>>>>> one size fits all mentality, which is unfurtunately what the NFB
does.
>> >>>>>> Thanks.
>> >>>>>> Mike
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>>> From: RJ Sandefur
>> >>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 11:51 AM
>> >>>>>> To: jsoro620 at gmail.com ; National Association of Blind
>> >>>>>> Students mailing list
>> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> Joe, I agree with you. I had to attend both college, and
>> >>>>>> Seminary without the NFB's help, although it would have been
>> >>>>>> nice to have a mentoor. RJ
>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>>>> From: "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com>
>> >>>>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>> >>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> >>>>>> Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2014 12:25 PM
>> >>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Success and Why I Left the NFB
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> 2006 was the last year I attended a national convention.
>> >>>>>>> While there I was caught up in the ra ra of the movement and
>> >>>>>>> felt glad to be in the company
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> of
>> >>>>>>> so many people who could relate to the challenges that
>> >>>>>>> awaited me as a recent college graduate. I left convention,
>> >>>>>>> finished up my summer as a counselor in Iowa, and set off for
>> >>>>>>> DC to begin my business with the real world. I would never
>> >>>>>>> take away someone's enthusiasm from attending a national
>> >>>>>>> convention or Washington Seminar or one of the weekend leadership
seminars in Baltimore.
>> >>>>>>> They are very well-suited to boost a person's spirit, but I
>> >>>>>>> believe too many people fall through the cracks when faced
>> >>>>>>> with reality outside of those infrequent gatherings.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> To be fair, the organization is no different from any other
>> >>>>>>> nonprofit business. It needs money to sustain itself, and in
>> >>>>>>> turn it needs more members to help raise the money. Still, I
>> >>>>>>> found it rather disappointing that so much of the board
>> >>>>>>> meeting I tuned into listen to last summer was dominated by
>> >>>>>>> calls to raise money for this fund or that effort. I found it
>> >>>>>>> even sadder that a recent issue of the Braille Monitor, our
>> >>>>>>> monthly dose of inspiration, featured several articles just
>> >>>>>>> to the focus of generating more ways to drum up more
>> >>>>>>> financial support, but perhaps the most frustrating byproduct
>> >>>>>>> of this new NFB are the e-mails from so-called friends from
>> >>>>>>> whom
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I
>> >>>>>>> have not heard in years but boldly ask me to contribute to
>> >>>>>>> their NFB fundraising campaigns.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> In short, at some point the NFB embraced enterprise and
>> >>>>>>> forgot about the movement. Between 2006 and 2012 I went on to
>> >>>>>>> help lead development efforts for other nonprofits outside of
>> >>>>>>> the blindness field, also national in scope.
>> >>>>>>> They too made fundraising a priority, but it never felt like
>> >>>>>>> the top, or the only, priority. It gets tiresome when we
>> >>>>>>> focus on recruiting new blood and raising new money and
>> >>>>>>> forget about strengthening the members and resources we've
already had.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Nowadays I have the privilege of knowing some excellent blind
>> >>>>>>> professionals.
>> >>>>>>> I think they would do well in the NFB. They are smarter than
>> >>>>>>> I ever will be and have accomplished more than I may ever
>> >>>>>>> achieve, but they shun the organization because they were
>> >>>>>>> turned away or because they were never welcomed in the first
>> >>>>>>> place. It's something I should have kept in mind when I had
>> >>>>>>> my brief taste of leadership in the organization. I had too
>> >>>>>>> much of
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> a
>> >>>>>>> mouth on me to ever be anyone's golden child, but I was
>> >>>>>>> reliable enough to get the job done. But, getting the job
>> >>>>>>> done should have really meant attracting and pulling in these
>> >>>>>>> men and women who could have made the NFB lots better,
>> >>>>>>> listening to new ideas, and most important, remaining true to
>> >>>>>>> the cause and not some multi-million-dollar institute we find
>> >>>>>>> ourselves incapable of sustaining.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> So, what does any of this have to do with the original post?
>> >>>>>>> I don't want
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> it
>> >>>>>>> to ever be said I was a hypocrite. The leadership may as well
>> >>>>>>> know what I think of them, but more importantly, to the
>> >>>>>>> college kids on the verge of spreading their own wings, I
>> >>>>>>> want you to know the NFB banner will only guide your way so
>> >>>>>>> far. Take what's great about the organization and leave the
>> >>>>>>> political drama and marketing ploys behind. In the end it
>> >>>>>>> will be your own wits and talents that will earn your pay
>> >>>>>>> check. The NFB will never give you anything new. The
>> >>>>>>> philosophy merely helps you uncover what you always had
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> to
>> >>>>>>> be successful. Anything could happen with the new NFB
>> >>>>>>> president, and I will be the first to retract my words if he
>> >>>>>>> is brave enough to reverse this downward spiral. You see, we
>> >>>>>>> no longer live in a world where the NFB is necessary for
collective momentum.
>> >>>>>>> Technology has seen to that.
>> >>>>>>> Whether
>> >>>>>>> or
>> >>>>>>> not the movement sticks around largely depends on how badly
>> >>>>>>> we want it to exist.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Is the ACB doing it any better? That's debatable, but you
>> >>>>>>> know what I've found from the people I've met on that side of
>> >>>>>>> the house? They seem happier, and that's something we can't
>> >>>>>>> seem to figure out in our camp. The few victories they
>> >>>>>>> celebrate they do with even less money. Let that be a lesson
>> >>>>>>> in financial management to you.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> I don't know what the hell I'm doing back here. I told myself
>> >>>>>>> I would never become one of those bitter former NFB members.
>> >>>>>>> My only goal was to provide different perspectives to the new
>> >>>>>>> generation of leaders coming up through the ranks. After all,
>> >>>>>>> if you never taste the real world, you have no business leading.
>> >>>>>>> That's like the teacher who teaches because they couldn't cut
>> >>>>>>> it, and believe it or not, I want to see more and more of you
>> >>>>>>> excel at whatever it is you want to do. The more of you there
>> >>>>>>> are, the greater our strength.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Moving forward I reckon I'll keep my opinions to myself here
>> >>>>>>> lest I be the rotten apple that spoils the bunch, but in some
>> >>>>>>> lame attempt to answer the original question, my answer would be
this:
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> The characteristics of a successful blind person are humility
>> >>>>>>> to consume what they need to be successful, fortitude to turn
>> >>>>>>> away what will not, and wisdom to recognize the difference.
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Joe
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> --
>> >>>>>>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> Visit my blog:
>> >>>>>>> http://joeorozco.com/blog
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>> >>>>>>> info for
>> >>>>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/joltingja
>> >>>>>>> cksa
>> >>>>>>> ndefur%40gmail.com
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>> >>>>>> info for
>> >>>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/michael.ca
>> >>>>>> pell
>> >>>>>> e%40frontier.com
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>> >>>>>> info for
>> >>>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%
>> >>>>>> 40gm
>> >>>>>> ail.com
>> >>>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>> >>>>> info for
>> >>>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blackbyrdfl
>> >>>>> y%40
>> >>>>> gmail.com
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>> >>>> info for
>> >>>> nabs-l:
>> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobs
>> >>>> on%4
>> >>>> 0visi.com
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >>> for
>> >>> nabs-l:
>> >>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40g
>> >>> mail
>> >>> .com
>> >>>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> nabs-l mailing list
>> >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> >> for
>> > nabs-l:
>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/denverqueen110
>> >> 7%40
>> >> comcast.net
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nabs-l mailing list
>> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> > for
>> > nabs-l:
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jsoro620%40gmai
>> > l.com
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > nabs-l mailing list
>> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> > for
>> > nabs-l:
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet1
>> > 04%40gmail.com
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcas
>> t.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gm
> ail.com
_______________________________________________
nabs-l mailing list
nabs-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nabs-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/theweird1%40mediacombb.n
et
More information about the NABS-L
mailing list