[nabs-l] How can NFB better include peoplewithmultipledisabilities mental illness
Beth Taurasi
denverqueen1107 at comcast.net
Mon Apr 7 01:26:55 UTC 2014
I would want a special interest group, but we need to be labeled a
division in order for us to be taken more seriously. The NFB hasn't
taken such eople seriously at all, so it's time we did something about
it. Yeah, it's not jumping in to a division, but we need to have some
serious notice in all the disability special interest group, and the
politics of the NFB do not include us at all.
Beth
On 4/6/2014 7:12 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:
> 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
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>>>
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>>>>>>>>> ndefur%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>>> t104%40gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> -- Kaiti
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -- Kaiti
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Kaiti
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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>
>>>>
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>
>
--
>>
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