[NAGDU] FW: My Letter of Resignation

[Catherine Clegg]

I am really sorry to see you leave. Thanks for your leadership and guidance for so long. Catherine Clegg

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 8, 2021, at 5:29 PM, Marion Gwizdala, via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> President Riccobono,
> 
> 
> 
>                On April 22, 2020, Southeastern Guide Dogs forcibly removed
> the guide dog of les Demers, a member of the Tampa bay chapter of the
> National Federation of the Blind of florida and the Florida Association of
> guide Dog users. As president of the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users, I have had several calls relating similar instances in which
> Southeastern abruptly and without warning, without evidence of abuse or
> neglect, and without due process forcibly removed a guide dog from its blind
> handler. On March 5, 2021, I received a call from Rev. susan Blake, a blind
> Episcopal priest in the diocese of Orlando, stating that Southeastern Guide
> dogs showed up at her residence unannounced on March 4, 2021 and forcibly
> removed her dog because it "looks like it is about four pounds overweight".
> I immediately contacted Raul Gallegos whose first reaction was "I need to
> contact Southeastern." He seemed unconcerned about this abusive,
> undignified, unethical, and immoral behavior and contacting Rev. Blake was
> an afterthought. President Gallegos has Rev. Blake's contact information
> and, as of the date of this writing, has not reached out to Rev. Blake.
> 
> 
> 
>                The board of directors of the National Association of Guide
> dog Users met to discuss the incident concerning Mr. Demers and chose to not
> pursue this case. If they had, perhaps Rev. Blake would still have her dog!
> 
> 
> 
> I have held various elected leadership positions with the National
> Federation of the blind since 1987. Since 2004, I have served on the board
> of directors of the National Association of Guide dog Users, including
> assuming the presidency by succession in 2007 and elected to the presidency
> in 2008. I have dedicated my life to protecting the rights of guide dog
> users and have invested countless hours and financial assets in the
> organization, believing it was the best avenue for change in the manner in
> which guide dog users are treated. If you were to ask any active member of
> NAGDU what the primary focus of my administration was, most would say
> "Ownership upon completion of training". We discussed ownership during
> nearly every meeting and I frequently questioned those training programs
> with ownership policies other than full and complete ownership after
> completion of training as to their rationale for such paternalistic
> policies. Their justifications for these policies were as paternalistic as
> the policies themselves! 
> 
> 
> 
> It is very apparent the National Federation of the Blind and the current
> administration of the National Association of Guide dog users is not
> interested in protecting the rights and dignity of blind guide dog
> consumers. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve and support an
> organization that disregards the basic fundamental rights of blind
> consumers. Effective immediately, I am resigning my membership in the
> National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users. This will also serve to resign my elected offices as president of the
> Florida Association of Guide dog Users and the board of directors of the
> Tampa Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of florida.
> 
> 
> 
> Respectfully submitted,
> 
> Marion Gwizdala
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Marion Gwizdala
> 
> (813) 626-2789
> 
> Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net <mailto:Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net>  
> 
> 
> 
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