[nfb-db] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Comments on Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight

[Marsha Drenth]

All, 

by no means am I condoning what the NFB did in this case. But for all press releases, the little paragraph about donating is at the end of all press releases. Just as some of those who work at the NCB have little paragraphs about donating at the end of their email. The press release was probably pasted into a email, with a signature that is alway there, and sent with out a second thought about that donation paragraph. 

Yes sensitivity could have used in this situation. But the NFB is not the bad guy here. 

JMO 

Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 
http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com 

On Jan 16, 2013, at 12:21 PM, Alicia Richards <alicianfb at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi, all. Scott, I do agree with you on a couple points. First, more research should have been done. I will freely admit I did not do that research, but nor had I made any strong judgments about this yet.  I strongly suspected that there was more to the story than deaf-blindness, though I had not actually looked into it.  There usually is more to a story than gets reported.  It's obvious you did do your research, and I applaud you for it. I'm still not quite sure what to think of the situation, other than that it is sad.  I do worry that government aided euthanasia could lead down a very slippery slope for those with disabilities, but that's not really relevant to this particular discussion, which involves the NFB's handling of it.
> 
> I do also agree that it was in very poor taste for the press release to follow up the paragraph about this story with one asking for donations.  I understand the Federation is not in the best of financial situations right now, as demonstrated by them laying off 20 people from the National Center. I understand we do need fund-raising and money to carry on the movement and the work of the Federation. However, that press release, and it's emotional and weighty subject matter, was not at all the time and the place for such a request. I truly wish they had not asked for a donation at all, but since they were going to, they could have presented it in a far better light.  The way they asked seemed in no way connected with the preceeding paragraph about this sad event.  If they were going to ask for money, ask for it to help support education about deaf-blindness, both in the US and worldwide or something along those lines. The NFB doesn't pay enough attention to deaf-blind issues as it is, and this demonstrates it all the more.
> 
> Roxe, I too wish they had gotten a comment from a deaf-blind person.  I think it would have been appropriate.  But given the NFB past press releases on other issues, they rarely ask additional comments of anyone.  Usually they are simply a statement from President Maurer.  So, though you are right, this is in keeping with their usual practice.  It's unfortunate, but standard.
> 
> Alicia 
> 
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