[nabs-l] How can NFB better include peoplewithmultipledisabilities mental illness
Ashley Bramlett
bookwormahb at earthlink.net
Mon Apr 7 01:12:16 UTC 2014
hi,
I think it should be an interest group first; have a gathering at convention
and see if there's sufficient interest.
Then following year if it goes well, you elect officers. From discussing, it
appears you all want a support group and social group to gain understanding
about your mental challenges.
This is more indicative now of a interest group. remember, a division is
serious; it has to not only have a constitution, but a slate of officers. I
urge you to start with interest group, rather than jumping in with a
division.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Kaiti Shelton
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 5:46 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How can NFB better include
peoplewithmultipledisabilities mental illness
Beth,
I totally agree! That sounds like a really good basis for the group.
Ashley also brings up a great point. Autism is not technically a
mental illness, however I think that this group's purpose should be
more to advocate for the needs of blind people with other disabilities
or disorders, so it could certainly be beneficial to invite people
with autism to join and to have you speak at some point. Great idea!
The question is, how should this start? Should it be a group first,
and then try to go to division status later on if things go well for a
while?
On 4/4/14, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi, Ashley,
>
> Might you simply call me in Berkeley, California at
> 408-209-3239? Your number is too complicated!
> for today, CarAt 09:43 AM 4/4/2014, you wrote:
>>i am autistic, and have thought about giving tahlks about being
>>blind and autistic, and how to deal with my communication needs.
>>
>>AUTISM IS NOT A DISEASE! I AM AN AUTISM ADVOCATE, WRITER, AND
>>SPEAKER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE, OR WANT ME TO COME SPEAK,
>>CALL ME AT 711,443,682,8862 OR LEAVE ME A MEOR TEXT ME AT 410,417,6676.
>>
>> > On Apr 4, 2014, at 12:39, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > Good morning, Kaiti,
>> >
>> > Guess I failed to consider how supporting blind people with
>> mental illness and as in my case, brain damage, is separate from
>> those kind of blind people speaking for themselves.
>> > Would be interested as to whether such a group ever gets off the
>> > ground!
>> > for today, Car
>> >
>> > those who wish to support
>> >> others with mental illness, and gave the example of how student
>> >> divisions also welcome those who are not students but who are
>> >> concerned with the education of blind people who are, because support
>> >> is welcome. Yet, in the student groups, there are mandates which
>> >> state blind students who are full-time need to be leaders, primarily
>> >> in presidential and vice presidential positions. Case: My board has
>> >> students as president, vice president, treasurer, recording secretary,
>> >> and our 2 board members. Our corresponding secretary is not a student
>> >> at the time, but still supports the work we do to make the educational
>> >> experience better for us.
>> >>
>> >> This is the model for all our divisions and groups, and the federation
>> >> as a whole. I just didn't want those who could be helpful and
>> >> contribute to the group to be shut out simply because they were not
>> >> directly effected by mental illness. I also did not say that because
>> >> I think the mentally ill need someone else to speak for them; in my
>> >> line of work I'm in contact with those who have mental illness, and
>> >> have also seen some very articulate and thought-out responses on this
>> >> list (Beth, Sam, and Desiree to name a few). These people, though
>> >> admittedly mentally ill, are smart and talented people who have
>> >> identified a need, and are working towards finding a solution. I just
>> >> know personally that I support them in their cause, and would like to
>> >> be included in making it happen in spite of the fact that I don't have
>> >> a mental illness myself because I do see it as important. I
>> >> definitely think that following a model along the lines of, "The
>> >> president and vice president of the division must have been diagnosed
>> >> with a mental illness," and "A majority of the division's members must
>> >> be blind persons diagnosed with mental illness," would serve the
>> >> division well, and would also allow for those who are just interested
>> >> in giving support to join.
>> >>
>> >> Another benefit to this, that I now see, is that in the event that
>> >> emotions run high or something on a call, meeting, etc, an outside
>> >> member who is in a mental health profession could help to diffuse the
>> >> situation and restore order. This still would not be speaking for the
>> >> members of the division who are directly effected by mental illness,
>> >> but it would help them to take a step back and prepare to go on with
>> >> the meeting. I do not even know if such a thing could happen, but
>> >> since we had a pretty bad misunderstanding in my own student division
>> >> a few months ago, where several members were offended because they
>> >> interpreted a situation a number of different ways, and we needed help
>> >> from our affiliate liaison to fully diffuse the situation, it might be
>> >> helpful. Personally, I think every group of people can benefit from
>> >> having contact with an outside party to do this as well, so I'm not
>> >> just suggesting it based on the potential group we're talking about.
>> >>
>> >> On 4/4/14, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> > But here is something to think about; how can anyone speak for
>> someone who
>> >> > cannot speak for themselves?
>> >> > The best that one might be able to do is to act in what one
>> can hope to be
>> >> > in another person's best interest.
>> >> > I could be wrong though. If so, it hasn't been the first time
>> and it will
>> >> > not be the last time.
>> >> >
>> >> > This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>> >> >
>> >> >> On Apr 4, 2014, at 2:58 AM, Beth Taurasi
>> >> >> <denverqueen1107 at comcast.net>
>> >> >> wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I've got some bad news. The mentally ill are not always capable of
>> >> >> speaking for themselves. I am lucky in that my illness does
>> not make me
>> >> >> unable to speak for myself, but there are schizophrenics and those
>> >> >> affected by hallucinations, grief, etc. who can't speak for
>> >> >> themselves
>> >> >> because they can't relate. Some people need the voices of
>> people like me,
>> >> >> Kaiti, etc. who can speak for them. Some mentally ill people are
>> >> >> not
>> >> >> really ill. Some of the mentally ill are so badly damaged by
>> >> >> schizophrenic symptoms that they can't even speak. Case in
>> point, a guy
>> >> >> called Mike. He was a world class runner before the
>> prodromal symtpoms,
>> >> >> the first stages of schizophrenia, appeared. He no longer
>> speaks, rather
>> >> >> he died after being hit by a car. But while he was alive, he
>> >> >> couldn't
>> >> >> even speak for himself, much less others.
>> >> >> Beth
>> >> >>
>> >> >>> On 4/4/2014 12:33 AM, Carly Mihalakis wrote:
>> >> >>> 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
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> >> > 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/joltingjacksa
>> >> >>>> >> > 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.capel
>> >> >>>> >> > le%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%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/blackbyrdfly%
>> >> >>>> >> > 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/steve.jacobso
>> >> >>>> >> > n%40visi.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l mailing list
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40g
>> >> >>>> >> > mail.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l mailing list
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>> account info
>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lissa1531%40g
>> >> >>>> >> > mail.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40g
>> >> >>>> >> > mail.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
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>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lissa1531%40g
>> >> >>>> >> > mail.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
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>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarine
>> >> >>>> >> > t104%40gmail.com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > --
>> >> >>>> >> > Kaiti
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l mailing list
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>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/denverqueen11
>> >> >>>> >> > 07%40comcast.net
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your
>> account info
>> >> >>>> >> > for
>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/samnelson1%40veriz
>> >> >>>> >> > on.net
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >> > ---
>> >> >>>> >> > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast!
>> >> >>>> >> > Antivirus
>> >> >>>> >> > protection is active.
>> >> >>>> >> > http://www.avast.com
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>> >> >>>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.
>> >> >>>> >> > com
>> >> >>>> >> >
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>_______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >>nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nelson
>> sam 68%40gmail.com
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>---
>> >> >>>> >>This email is free from viruses and malware because
>> avast! Antivirus
>> >> >>>> >>protection is active.
>> >> >>>> >>http://www.avast.com
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >>_______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >> nabs-l:
>> >> >>>> >>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlym
>> ih% 40comcast.net
>> >> >>>> >>
>> >> >>>> >
>> >> >>>> >
>> >> >>>> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>>> >
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> --
>> >> >>>> Kaiti
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >> >>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
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>> >> >>>> nabs-l:
>> >> >>>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcast.net
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >> >>> nabs-l mailing list
>> >> >>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>> >> >>> nabs-l:
>> >> >>>
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>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> >>
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>> >> >
>> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> >> > nabs-l:
>> >> >
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/crazy4clarinet104%40gmail.com
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Kaiti
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcast.net
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>> >
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>> >
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