[nabs-l] How can NFB better include peoplewithmultipledisabilities mental illness
Carly Mihalakis
carlymih at comcast.net
Fri Apr 4 06:33:18 UTC 2014
Good evening, Kaiti,
All those things look good on paper, but what about the so-called
mentally ill, speaking for themselves? Isn't that how the Federation
likes to be perceived? That, "blind" people are perfectly capable of
speaking for themselves? Is not a same true for the mentally ill?
for today, Car/2014, Kaiti Shelton wrote:
>I think a good thing might look something like this:
>
>A group and/or division led by a person with mental illness of some
>sort, but also open for those interested in work with mentally ill
>people. Even though I do not have a mental illness myself, I am going
>into a profession where I will most liikely work with clients who have
>mental illness throughout my career. I would love to support such a
>group, and think that others in situations similar to my own might
>want to do the same. Plus, this follows the division model a little
>more closely. More people than those directly effected would be able
>to join, but someone who is directly effected would serve as
>president. I know in my affiliate student division, our constitution
>states that the president and vice president must be planning to be
>full-time students in the year following their election, and a
>majority of the division members must be blind students, but as long
>as those guidelines are met non-blind or non-students are free to join
>and aid in the cause.
>
>On 4/3/14, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
> > Good morning, Sam, and everyone,
> >
> > A must! Hot line workers must themselves have mentle illness!
> > for today, Car
> >
> > At 02:24 PM 4/2/2014, Sam Nelson wrote:
> >>Hi Ariel,
> >> I agree. I love the hotline idea! It would be true peer support. Which
> >> is
> >>such a big thing in mental illness recovery these days.
> >> Sam
> >>
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
> >>Silverman
> >>Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 4:07 PM
> >>To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >>Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include
> >>peoplewithmultipledisabilities mental illness
> >>
> >>I think the hotline idea is a great one. The human services division could
> >>work on that, but it would be great to have a group or division that is
> >> led
> >>by blind people with mental illness.
> >>Arielle
> >>
> >>On 4/2/14, Sam Nelson <nelsonsam68 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > Hi everyone,
> >> > I'm not very much into the NFB in a lot of ways but one hundred
> >> > percent agree that there needs to be more connection between support/
> >> > services for the blind and for those that have other disabilities along
> >>with blindness.
> >> > Personally I've seen this disconnect with blindness and mental
> >> > illness. I agree with everything Desiree said about therapists and
> >> > them not understanding how blindness impacts mental illnessor how
> >> > mental illness might affect blindness. I've also seen a lot of
> >> > misunderstanding with blindness profesionals not understanding how
> >> > mental illness might interfere with living on one's own getting a
> >> > standard full time job ETC and so their scope of services don't allow
> >> > for anything outside what they perceive to be normal.
> >> > I do want to give a shout out that I run an e-mail list called
> >> > blind-mentalhealth on yahoo. I've been running it since May and it is
> >> > a very close knit community and we all support each other day to day
> >> > with these struggles, providing encouragement and resources if
> >> > possible and most of all just our friendship.
> >> > Lastly I've heard of a center in NY that has the only psychiatric
> >> > clinic and daytreatment program for the blind. Does anyone know
> >> > anthing about this program? I've tried looking online everywhere for a
> >> > contact person as I'd be very curious to know more about the program
> >> > and how they do things.
> >> >
> >> > Sam
> >> >
> >> > -----Original Message-----
> >> > From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Beth
> >> > Taurasi
> >> > Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 11:22 PM
> >> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include
> >> > peoplewithmultipledisabilities?
> >> >
> >> > Good ranting, Kaiti. As someone who could fall under the thing
> >> > Desiree described, someone whose parents get guardianship because
> >> > they're sighted and "healthy", I had contemplated suicide because of
> >> > that
> >>guardianship.
> >> > Because of that, my parents tried to take me off MySpace, but they
> >> > will not take me off Facebook. I am currently working to get a case
> >> > against them because the guardianship is way too broad, and it affects
> >> > lots of my man to woman relationships. Currently, my relationship
> >> > with my friend Blake, a guy from Arizona, is rocky, but yet deep down,
> >> > I wish I could swoop Blake up and take him back here to Denver. But
> >> > alas, the guardianship prevents us from marrying. To say that such
> >> > persons are "nonpersons" or in the case of Orwell's 1984 "unpersons"
> >> > is wrong. The way to say it in Newspeak would be complicated, and if
> >> > such a newspeak word was invented, it would sound harsh.
> >> > Beth
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
> >> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> > <nabs-l at nfbnet.org Date sent: Tue, 1 Apr 2014 22:30:32 -0400
> >> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include
> >> > peoplewithmultipledisabilities?
> >> >
> >> > Hello all,
> >> >
> >> > In answer to Carly's question about connections between the blind, (we
> >> > may call them "just blind" for the purposes of this conversation), and
> >> > those with blindness and other disabilities, or other disabilities
> >> > without blindness, I think organizational relationships are the
> >> > starting point to working interpersonally. Much like the NFB is a
> >> > huge group of blind people, and is often used as a catalyst for
> >> > working interpersonally to accomplish tasks, other groups are the
> >> > same. If we want to work interpersonally with the deaf, persay, then
> >> > we need to go where the deaf are and start forming relationships with
> >> > that group. Once repore is established, people from the various
> >> > organizations can work interpersonally. Darian might have phrased it
> >> > better than I did, but it's the same sort of view.
> >> >
> >> > I was admittedly not around for that episode that Desiree described,
> >> > but I'm really sad to hear that it happened. Especially since, as
> >> > Arielle pointed out, there are some pretty out there groups like the
> >> > car one. I mean, it's okay for people to get together and discuss
> >> > cars that we can't even drive (yet at least), so their discussion is
> >> > purely based on mechanical and aesthetic knowledge of the cars rather
> >> > than a personal user experience, but a support group for blind people
> >> > who are seen as a minority for another reason is not okay? To me,
> >> > that just doesn't make sense.
> >> >
> >> > I'm not particularly religious, and probably would label myself as
> >> > unitarian even though I was raised catholic if I had to label myself
> >> > at all, so I realize my personal views on things of that nature are
> >> > more liberal than the views of others. However, conservatives aren't
> >> > always going to be happy, just as liberals aren't, and it is important
> >> > that we compromise. I was not under the impression that the NFB had
> >> > any religious affiliation, and even remember asking someone what
> >> > Invocation was, because I really didn't know the term. Even in this
> >> > light, why is Christianity made such a prevalent part of convention?
> >> > What about those who practice Islam, Judism, or anything else? I
> >> > would hate for a majority faction within the NFB to shun double
> >> > minority members, because after all, we're all minorities in the
> >> > greater world, so to pretend that those who are different from us are
> >> > less valuable or don't deserve the right to organize a group to suit
> >> > their unique set of needs or circumstances doesn't seem right.
> >> > Sorry for the rant.
> >> >
> >> > On 4/1/14, melissa R Green <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > Arielle once again. You are so right! I also hope that will never
> >> > happen again.
> >> > Another way to look at this is, many devisions get started and then
> >> > they just fall by the waist side. Noone will keep it going. IMO the
> >> > devisions are started by people that have to be in the spotlight and
> >> > be the darling of
> >> >
> >> > the Federation and the devision suffers. The same happens with
> >> > chapters and
> >> >
> >> > state devisions. Then everyone is shaking their head and wondering
> >> > what happened and why this person didn't work out. I could give
> >> > examples of backing the wrong person.
> >> > Finally, I always felt badly for those children who were born and
> >> > grew up in
> >> >
> >> > the federation. They have a lot of pressure on them to be the
> >> > darling of the federation. Have a blessed day.
> >> > Best Wishes
> >> > Melissa R. Green and Pj
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com
> >> > To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> >> > <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> > Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 5:37 PM
> >> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people
> >> > withmultipledisabilities?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I too was at the NFB convention when the LGBT group wasn't able to
> >> > announce its meetings. I'm disappointed this happened, especially the
> >> > symbolic exclusion it represented, and hope never to see something
> >> > like that again as long as I am part of the Federation. I completely
> >> > understand the leadership's desire not to have a division for every
> >>special interest.
> >> > However, we need clearer and more evenhanded criteria about what
> >> > should constitute a division. It doesn't make sense to allow a
> >> > division for car enthusiasts with its own annual activities and then
> >> > not even allow an LGBT group to advertise informal meet-ups. We can't
> >> > try to say we don't want LGBT because it's too politically
> >> > controversial and then have religious invocations at all the general
> >> > sessions. Has the general membership ever even been polled about
> >> > whether
> >>to keep having these religious invocations?
> >> > In other words, unless we want to be in an organization that reflects
> >> > the president's or the board's interests and political views alone, we
> >> > really need to have some transparency about how divisions are formed
> >> > and what kinds of characteristics are meaningful enough to justify
> >> > forming a division. Furthermore, as Darian pointed out, a well-run
> >> > group can probably be just as effective without a lot of the hassle
> >> > associated with keeping up a division. I know at least some of the
> >> > folks in the LGBT group would have been totally happy with just a
> >> > group, not a full division, but even that wasn't supported.
> >> >
> >> > Arielle
> >> >
> >> > On 4/1/14, melissa R Green <lissa1531 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> > what a good topic. I know that there is a blind rollers list.
> >> > But the
> >> > devision never came into being. I think that the committee of the
> >> > under served is supposed to address these issues. However this is not
> >> > occurring.
> >> >
> >> > I agree that nfb has a primary focus of blindness. Yet, we are a
> >> > diverse population. So I believe that the nfb needs to become more
> >> > diverse. I also
> >> >
> >> > believe that the leadership are going by their assumptions that if
> >> > they have
> >> >
> >> > a devision dedicated to a certain grou that it will not do anything
> >> > to assist blind people. For example, years ago, a group came together
> >> > and wanted to form a devision for blind gay bisexual and transgendered
> >>people.
> >> > I was at the convention when doctor Maurer was reading the
> >> > announcement and
> >> >
> >> > then he ripped it up in the middle of reading it. Many people left
> >> > the federation because they felt that they were not wanted and that
> >> > the leadership assumed that it would be a devision strictly for social
> >> > purposes.
> >> >
> >> > Many people are hopeful that the new president will bring many more
> >> > changes
> >> >
> >> > and lots of diversity to the federation. I am going to wait and see
> >> > what happens.
> >> > Have a blessed day.
> >> > Best Wishes
> >> > Melissa R. Green and Pj
> >> >
> >> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> > From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com
> >> > To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> >> > <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> > Sent: Monday, March 31, 2014 3:53 PM
> >> > Subject: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include people with
> >> > multipledisabilities?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > 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
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
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