[nabs-l] Vote Syed Rizvi for Second Vice President of the National Association of Blind Students

[Bryan Duarte]

Syed,

You have my vote all day!!!!

Go Devils!

Bryan Duarte software engineer
ASU Computer Science Ph.D candidate
QwikEyes CEO http://www.qwikeyes.com/ <http://www.qwikeyes.com/> 

“let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. patience obtains all things. whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”
-- St. Teresa of Avila

> On Jun 9, 2016, at 5:13 PM, Syed Rizvi via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good evening my Federation family,
> 
> 
> 
> I hope this message finds you well.
> 
> My name is Syed Rizvi and I am the President of the Massachusetts
> Association of Blind Students, the National Federation of the Blind of
> Massachusetts student division. I was brought to America by my parents when
> I was two years old with high hopes of having a brighter future.  I have
> struggled with my degenerative vision since I was five years old; and have
> since been constantly in search of answers, guidance, and support. While I
> was confident in my intelligence, my lack of knowledge in regards to
> nonvisual methods of doing my work compelled me to fall behind my sighted
> counterparts. I desperately wanted success. My parents believed in me, my
> siblings supported me, and my friends treated me just like everyone else.
> Still, I worked ten times harder than those around me to achieve the same
> accomplishments.  
> 
> 
> 
> Two years ago, I attended my first event hosted by the National Federation
> of the Blind, a Massachusetts student social in Boston. I quickly, if not
> instantaneously, realized that finally, God had answered all my prayers.
> Surrounding me were all these students living the lives they wanted without
> blindness holding them back. Without hesitation, I immediately immersed
> myself with new friends and, in creating relationships, began to work to
> further the movement of the National Federation of the Blind. I adopted more
> responsibilities in terms of leadership and collaboration. My growth did not
> stop there, and will never cease as I continue to embrace our positive
> blindness philosophy.
> 
> 
> 
> To ensure that blindness would no longer deter me from pursuing my
> aspirations and to solidify my philosophy, I halted my undergraduate college
> career, left my home of 17 years, quit my job, and flew over a thousand
> miles to Ruston, Louisiana. There, I attended blindness training at the
> Louisiana Center for the Blind, perhaps the greatest decision I have ever
> made. Alongside Federation leaders, newcomers, and mentors, I learned from
> passionate individuals in order for me to flourish in any path I decide to
> follow. 
> 
> 
> 
> After graduating from LCB on May 23, I returned home with a newfound
> understanding of the abilities of all blind people. This summer, I will be
> working for the Director of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in
> Massachusetts to ensure that section 504 and section 508 of the
> rehabilitation act are properly enforced in our commonwealth. This fall, I
> will be venturing down to Texas start my journey as an Accounting student at
> the University of Texas at Austin.
> 
> 
> 
> It was at the 75th annual national convention that I first found out about
> NFB training centers and the Student Division of the National Federation of
> the Blind. It was there that I eagerly signed up to work for every NABS
> committee in order to fully understand how our organization operates. For
> the past year, I have been working diligently alongside national student
> leaders. My fellow blind students, we have so much work that must be done to
> ensure we have equal access in higher education and in the workforce. I
> would not be where I am today without the support received from my
> Federation mentors, and I am sure that holds true for most of you as well.
> The relationships I've formed with current NABS leadership, as well as my
> state affiliate and other state student divisions demonstrates my dedication
> and passion for what we are fighting for each day.
> 
> 
> 
> On Friday, July 1 <x-apple-data-detectors://2> , I will be running for the
> position of 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Blind
> Students. Now, I am asking for your support. Each and every vote counts as,
> together, we shift the leadership, refine initiatives, and initiate novel
> projects and ideas for the betterment of our community. I promise to
> continue my efforts as your 2nd VP; and to be open to suggestions, concerns,
> and ideas as we continue to build the National Federation of the Blind. 
> 
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Syed Rizvi
> 
> President | Massachusetts Association of Blind Students
> 
> 
> 
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