[Nfb-editors] A Chapter Newsletter from Tennessee

[Wunder, Gary]

Thanks Robert. I think I'd like to followup on this cane article.

Warmly,

Gary



-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-editors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Leslie Newman
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 8:44 AM
To: 0editors list
Subject: [Nfb-editors] A Chapter Newsletter from Tennessee


Dear Editors- Here is a sample of a chapter newsletter. It comes from Tennessee, the "Middle Tennessee Chapter" [From time to time I will post others; if you know of one, please send it my way!]


 


        


Description:
http://www.nfbmiddletn.org/wp-content/themes/nfbMidTn3/images/postheadericon
.pngNashville Insight, by Sharon Paris-Treadway


Spring 2011


The goal of our chapter in publishing this newsletter is to provide help and insight to the blind of middle Tennessee and their families.


Each article is written from a positive and helpful viewpoint. We will cover social economic and political issues. The philosophy of the NFB will be at the center of all that we present.


Canes: Tools or Tattoos?


By: Sharon Treadway


Many times in the course of the last ten years the response of people when they are told that I am blind is that there is no way. Most of the time they go on to say that it is not true because I do not have a cane.

I owe one it is tucked safely away in my sock drawer. Perfect place for it.
After all I can see. I only fall or trip over things that I don't see. just a little humor.

I do, after all use the cane when I am advocating for the blind when I need to fit in with my peers, people take you a lot more serious when you seem to fit the picture they have of who you are. I always carry the cane when I meet with legislators, or if I go to a school to talk about blindness. And last but not least I use it to get through airports more quickly amazing how people move it is like the parting of the Red Sea.

So the cane, the one in my sock drawer and the ones owned by many blind and partially blind why are they left hidden?

Over the last several weeks I have put some thought into this.
I know for me it has always been that I did not need it. Granted in the last two years I have fallen three times and all of these most likely would have been avoided had I had the cane in use.

I would not have a bummed up knee or a finger that was broken for months.
Also I would be better prepared to teach travel skills to people who contact me and need help As it stands now I have to call one of my members who is equipped in cane travel and let them help/

I would not leave my house without my contacts so why do I leave without my cane. And for those of you who say that you have yours with you and it is folded in your back pocket or purse you are still not off the hook.

How effective are we as individuals if we don't use all the tools that we have at our disposal.

In my case as well as many others it is an acknowledgement of our limitations and in believing that we can move past these with the right tools.

How can something so simple as a white and red cane, become such an issue.


Events in Our Chapter


*	Lucy Alexander gave birth to Sam Alexander Harvey on March 19, 2011.
Mom and Baby are both doing well.
*	Joe Shaw has returned from training at LCB, we look forward to
having him back.
*	May 14 is our regular chapter meeting, We will be having a picnic
and encourage people to come see what we have to offer in a more relaxed setting.
*	NFB National Convention is July 3-8,2011 in Orlando FL.

 <http://www.nfbmiddletn.org/nashvilleinsight/> Bookmark Us With:





 

Robert Leslie Newman

Personal Website-

Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairment

http//www.thoughtprovoker.info

NFB Writers' Division, president

http://www.nfb-writers-division.net 

Chair of the NFB Communications Committee