[Nfb-editors] New Mexico- QUE PASA- june 2013

[Robert Leslie Newman]

QUE PASA

June 2013 

 

Quarterly newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

(Published in March, June, September, and December)

 

Adelmo Vigil, President

E-mail: Avigil74 at gmail.com

(575) 921-5422

 

James Babb, Editor

E-mail: jim.babb at samobile.net

(505) 792-9777

 

Tonia Trapp, Assistant Editor

E-mail: Tonialeigh513 at earthlink.net

(505) 856-5346

 

 

Contents

PREAMBLE <> . 3

EDITOR <> 'S NOTE. 3

PRESIDENT <> 'S MESSAGE. 4

KAY BOYD, A FEDERATIONIST THROUGH AND THROUGH! <> . 5

CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND <> .. 7

THE SENIOR BLIND AT THE NFBNM CONVENTION <> .. 8

THE BANQUET OF THE 2013 NFB OF NEW MEXICO STATE CONVENTION <> .. 9

RESOLUTION 2013-01, REGARDING GONZALES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL <> . 9

RESOLUTION 2013-02, REGARDING THE COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR
CERTIFICATION <> .. 11

RESOLUTION 2013-03, REGARDING THE ALBUQUERQUE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT <> . 13

OLD HIPS-NEW TRICKS <> . 15

DIABETES: CHOLESTEROL AND HEALTHY EATING <> .. 17

GOOD EATING <> .. 18

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES <> . 20

MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS <> . 21

 

 

PREAMBLE

EDITOR'S NOTE

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

KAY BOYD, A FEDERATIONIST THROUGH AND THROUGH!

CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND 

THE SENIOR BLIND AT THE NFBNM CONVENTION

THE BANQUET OF THE 2013 NFB OF NEW MEXICO STATE CONVENTION

RESOLUTION 2013-01, REGARDING GONZALES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

RESOLUTION 2013-02, REGARDING THE COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR
CERTIFICATION

RESOLUTION 2013-03, REGARDING THE ALBUQUERQUE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT

OLD HIPS-NEW TRICKS

DIABETES: CHOLESTEROL AND HEALTHY EATING

GOOD EATING

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES

MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 


PREAMBLE


 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico (NFBNM) is a 501 (c) 3
consumer organization comprised of blind and sighted people committed to
changing what it means to be blind. Though blindness is still all too often
a tragedy to those who face it, we know from our own personal experience
that with training and opportunity, it can be reduced to the level of a
physical nuisance. We work to see that blind people receive services and
training to which they are entitled and that parents of blind children
receive the advice and support they need to help their youngsters grow up to
be happy, productive adults. We believe that first-class citizenship means
that people have both rights and responsibilities, and we are determined to
see that blind people become first-class citizens of these United States,
enjoying their rights and fulfilling their responsibilities. The most
serious problems we face have less to do with our lack of vision than with
discrimination based on the public's ignorance and misinformation about
blindness. Join us in educating New Mexicans about the abilities and
aspirations of New Mexico's blind citizens.

(Adapted from NFB of Ohio newsletter.) 

 

 


EDITOR'S NOTE


By Jim Babb, Editor

 

Hello everybody, we hope you like this edition of Que Pasa. On a sad note,
we lost a great Federationist with the passing of Kay Boyd. I remember her
well when I was at the Center in Alamogordo and attended local chapter
meetings. We have included an article about Kay in this newsletter. 

On a happier note, a couple of great nationally-known Federationists are
moving to Albuquerque: Curtis and Peggy Chong. I'm sure we'll hear more from
them in the near future.

We also have other great articles and recipes from our members. 

Also, read the May Braille Monitor; There is a great article on a free
screen reader that shows real promise.

 

Read on, 

Jim

 

 


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE


By Adelmo Vigil, President, NFB of New Mexico

 

Greetings Federation Family:

 

I believe that you agree that we had a great convention in April. I want to
thank everyone for your participation and energy that was present during the
convention. It was great to have Scott LaBarre, President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado, as our National Representative. I
understand we had 160 attendees register for our state convention.

 

I want to welcome Curtis and Peggy Chong to New Mexico, and we enjoyed
having you at the convention in April.

 

Congratulations to those who joined our state board of directors and to all
newly-elected leaders from NFB chapters and divisions.

 

Daphne and all the committee members of the BELL Program are now preparing
to conduct the first BELL program in New Mexico. We want to wish them
success and offer our support in any way possible.

 

One of the items we want to pay special attention to in the coming year is
to continue to build and strengthen our existing chapters and divisions
along with creating new chapters in different parts of the state. It was
said by a local chapter member that we are the best-kept secret around; he
went on to say that there are many blind New Mexicans who have never heard
of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico. I have asked Veronica
Smith and Dona Orgeron to co-chair the membership committee. They have great
ideas and will be calling on all of us to support and help with this
endeavor.

 

The National Federation of the Blind convention in Orlando is coming up
soon. If you plan to attend the National Convention this summer, please
contact Christine Hall, First Vice President of NFBNM. She will be
organizing and scheduling the work at the exhibit hall for our state's
fundraising table. We will again be selling New Mexico pistachios and New
Mexico coffee. We need everyone's help in order for it to be a success.

 

Have a great summer, and we will be calling on members of each local chapter
and division to help move forward and grow as an affiliate. We are changing
what it means to be blind for children, youth and adults of all ages in New
Mexico.

 

 


KAY BOYD, A FEDERATIONIST THROUGH AND THROUGH!


By Veronica Smith

 

I met Kay Boyd in September of 1989 when she and I attended the NM
Orientation Center for the Blind in Alamogordo. It's funny how the choices
we make and the paths we take lead to meeting that very special person. She
was a lot like me, a little bit of this and that, which added up to nothing
to write home about. At the Orientation Center, we were both a long, long
way from home: she came from Los Alamos, and I came from Albuquerque. Both
our husbands brought us, made sure we got checked in, and left us there to
begin our new lives! 

 

It was difficult for both of us. Kay began a week before me, so when I
arrived, she was used to the idea. That was a bonus for me. She quickly took
me under her wing, and we became fast friends! Though she and I were not
roommates, we were suite mates: she roomed with Tawana, and I with Kellie.
The four of us had to make a schedule, 4 women sharing one bathroom. Kay
used to tell everyone, it took us exactly a day and a half to use up a roll
of toilet paper! That was true and much too funny!

 

We laughed and we cried, but what we did was never give up. She had cane
travel in the morning, very early--you know, before the stores came to
life--which made it very difficult to find anything. Well, there weren't
many peeps out to ask where this or that was, and most restaurants weren't
open, so she couldn't follow her nose. Heck, one time while she was looking
for Pizza Hut, she had the bright idea to reach her cane up, hoping that she
could feel the tiles on the roof. She was much too short, so couldn't get
the cane high enough. Can you imagine her doing just that!

 

The first time we took a field trip with the Orientation Center, we headed
to Santa Fe for something, and she and I shared a hotel room. Well, it was
very cold out, and neither of us knew how to turn on the heater, and there
weren't any extra blankets in the room. You ask, "Why didn't you call the
front desk and ask for help?" For years and years after that very chilly
night, we wondered the same thing!

 

When I arrived back at the Orientation Center after our winter break, Kay
was not there waiting for me. In fact, Linda Frazier the nurse came to let
me know that Kay would not be returning. She told me that while Kay and her
husband were driving back to Alamogordo, they hit some black ice, and their
Bronco rolled down the mountainside. Both were alive, but Kay had been hurt:
she had slammed her hand and arm through the window. I can't remember just
how many stitches she had, but there were a lot. Her ligaments and tendons
had been damaged, and holding onto anything, much less a cane, was almost
impossible. 

 

I talked to her almost every day, telling her she had to come back! She
insisted that she could not, would not. I talked to Linda, and the two of us
found out a way she could continue her physical therapy at the Center.
Somehow, we did convince her that the Center is where she had to be. So she
did her therapy, and little by little, she did more and more cane travel.

 

After that, there was no stopping her. She became the secretary of our state
affiliate. But she did it the hard way: she recorded each meeting and then
went home and Brailled it. She said she learned more that way.

 

Kay has been a faithful servant to the NFB. She was a board member, a
president, a vice president, and just a member. She and I attended many,
many national conventions together, always flying together, and almost
always sharing a room or at least a door that led to each other's room. She
went to Detroit without me, and when she told the story of how busy the
elevators were, I could sympathize. She told me she waited and waited, but
still it didn't come, so she had this bright idea to take the stairs to the
banquet floor. She began on the 20th floor, and when she finally stopped,
she had made it to the first floor, passing the place to exit by 2 floors.
She said she was exhausted and didn't care if she ever got up from the seat
she found. Silly girl! She has always been my roommate at state convention,
and except for one or two that one of us missed, we've been to all of them.

 

Kay loved to read. And boy let me tell you, she could finish a book in a
day, whereas it took me several days. She loved the Dallas Cowboys and
listened to them on the radio. She also loved George Jones and was very sad
when he passed recently. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and
a very, very good friend! She will always be my nearest and dearest friend.

 

 


CHANGING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND 


By Veronica Smith

 

Have you ever really thought about those words? Have you ever really thought
of what they mean? We all have to live through change: babies are born, and
the old die. These are things we are used to; we expect those things to
happen. But what about the rest . changing ideas, recreating the past, and
improving the future?

 

Way back when, people who were blind lived in group homes and worked in
sheltered workshops and got paid very, very little. Do you ever wonder if
that still occurs? Well the answer, unfortunately, is yes. Some blind
individuals still live in group homes and some still work in sheltered
shops, and unfortunately, they still get paid less than minimum wage.

 

So back to the statement, "changing what it means to be blind."

It used to be that blind peeps could not have a bank account unless they had
a sighted co-signer, they couldn't take a ride on a cruise ship unless they
had a sighted companion, and they were viewed as strange, incompetent,
worthless, and undeserving. We have come a long way, and we are bound and
determined to change the way blind people are looked at!

 

I get up every morning, get ready like everyone else, and head out the door.
I take the bus downtown where I get off, climb a few steps to the building
and enter. I go through the security point and to the elevator. That sounds
easy enough. But still I have to struggle, as many peeps feel the need to
rush ahead of me, nearly slapping my hand from the buttons so they can
select my floor. I have said many times, "Thank you, but if I don't push it
myself, what will I do when you are not here?" I feel that they are
learning, but still I'm not sure. If I were sighted, would those same peeps
rush ahead of me? I think not!

 

I feel that we have changed the views of some, but not all. We have a long,
long way to go! We are changing what it means to be blind: we have made a
difference in the way Braille is taught in some schools, and children who
need a cane, more times than not, get one. But again, this is happening more
and more, but still not all the time. I, for one, will never stop educating
those around me. I encourage you to do the same. I have heard some say, "I
am tired of educating," but we can't just stick our heads in the sand, or
else we will end up back in those sheltered workshops and living in group
homes--and you know it--making way less than minimum wage! We want to be the
majority of successful individuals, not the minority! We want to be equals,
we want it all!

 

 


THE SENIOR BLIND AT THE NFBNM CONVENTION


By Pat Munson

 

At this year's meeting, we spent a bit of time discussing how blind seniors
get from A to B without being able to drive. Some have been blind forever so
have found some of the following methods very useful.

 

Some of us have found persons who volunteer to drive at no charge, but we
insist on paying for gas. Many of us find paid drivers from listings at a
senior center, church, or a library. The driver might state that she will
run errands; that means the person has a car and can drive it. But, the
blind person must call said person to ensure the driver can speak clear
English and seems to be someone with whom the blind person can work. Also,
the blind person is the boss; the worker must be willing to take direction
without offering many opinions.

 

The officers are: Nancy Burns, president; Harold Martinez, vice president;
Pat Munson, secretary; and Jack Munson, treasurer. The board member is Art
Schreiber.

 

Come join us at our next meeting at the 2014 NFB of New Mexico state
convention so we can make better lives for blind seniors.

 

 


THE BANQUET OF THE 2013 NFB OF NEW MEXICO STATE CONVENTION


By Pat Munson

 

After the silent part of the auction and the social hour, Mistress of
Ceremonies Joni Martinez, President of the NM Association of Blind Students
and Personal Management Instructor at the NM Orientation Center for the
Blind, introduced those at the head table. She next named those at the
tables of honor who volunteer at Newsline and those who donate to the NFB of
New Mexico affiliate. We are grateful for all their work.

 

Scott C. LaBarre, Esq., National Representative and President, NFB of
Colorado, talked in his banquet address about why we belong to the
Federation and why we work so hard to forward our movement. He further
discussed a problem he faced just weeks before. He arrived at an airport and
was simply moving from one gate to another a few yards away when a man with
a wheelchair appeared at the door of his first plane and demanded that Scott
sit in the wheelchair so he could safely take him to his connecting flight.
Scott is a blind attorney and knows his rights, so he told the gentleman he
needed no assistance. Scott proceeded to his gate with this guy following
and yelling the entire way. The blind are normal persons; we simply cannot
see. We can ask others for help, if and when we need assistance. 

 

Vickie Buchagnani, Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Albuquerque High
School, and chair of the Scholarship Committee, awarded three academic
scholarships to Toby Chacon, Vicky Dueer, and LeAnna Abeyta. She then gave
two scholarships for a parent and blind child to attend the NFB National
Convention. The winners were Alexia and Faith Switzer, and Lucas Yeager. We
are very pleased to be able to send two families to convention this year
instead of just one.

 

The evening concluded with the sale of many auction items. The items
included various kinds of wine, jewelry, pottery, bread, and candy.

We thank everyone for coming and for all their work in its planning. Events
like the banquet require many hands to ensure its success. Again, thanks to
all you Federationists and your countless friends.

 

 


RESOLUTION 2013-01, REGARDING GONZALES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF NEW MEXICO

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico has a long
tradition of zealously advocating for the appropriate instruction of blind
students; and

 

WHEREAS, in December of 2012, the state and nation were shocked by the video
of an incident involving a blind student attending Gonzales Elementary
School in Santa Fe who was physically dragged by two teachers; and

 

WHEREAS, the dragging of this student was an affront to the rights and
dignity of not only the student involved, but to all persons who are blind;
and

 

WHEREAS, the dragging incident was made all the more poignant by the fact
that Gonzales Elementary was named after Albert Gonzales, the first blind
lawyer in New Mexico and a person who was an advocate for the blind, a
former Regent of the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
and a former Commissioner of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind; and

 

WHEREAS, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) is now the leading cause of blindness
in children in the United States, having increased by six hundred percent in
the last thirty years; and

 

WHEREAS, there is a wide range of how ONH is manifested, with ONH often
involving difficult and challenging behaviors that have been compared to
those associated with autism; and

 

WHEREAS, there are many other conditions or disabilities that can cause
difficult or challenging behaviors in blind children, including traumatic
brain injury and developmental disabilities; and

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico recognizes and
appreciates the high quality of educational services that are customarily
provided by teachers of the blind and visually impaired; and

 

WHEREAS, it is essential that these teachers and other educational
professionals are provided with appropriate support and training in how to
respond with positive behavior intervention strategies to students who have
conditions that can cause difficult or challenging behaviors: NOW 

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New
Mexico, gathered in convention in the City of Albuquerque this 14th day of
April, 2013, that the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
condemns and deplores the dragging of a blind student attending Gonzales
Elementary; that the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico calls
upon school districts throughout the state to provide adequate training and
support to teachers of the blind and visually impaired; and that the
National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico calls upon the legislature
and Governor to increase funding and support to educational systems and
programs that serve blind children and adults.

 

 

_______________________________________

Adelmo Vigil

President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico 

 

 


RESOLUTION 2013-02, REGARDING THE COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR
CERTIFICATION


 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF NEW MEXICO

 

 

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico is the state's
largest and oldest organization of blind persons; and

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind advocates on behalf of blind
persons and for the systems that serve persons who are blind, including the
public vocational rehabilitation system; and

 

WHEREAS, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC)
certifies vocational rehabilitation counselors; and

  

WHEREAS, to be CRC-certified, candidates must take and pass a comprehensive
exam that consists of 175 questions; and 

  

WHEREAS, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification is
responsible under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act to
provide auxiliary aids and services to blind persons taking the exam,
including provision of Braille, screen magnification software, screen
readers, large print, and qualified readers; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification should by
its very nature be especially sensitive and open to the accommodation needs
of persons with disabilities; and

  

WHEREAS, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, acting
through its contractor Prometric, has failed to appropriately provide
Braille and other necessary auxiliary aids and services to blind test takers
in New Mexico; and

 

WHEREAS, this failure has resulted in these test takers incurring additional
stress and anxiety, incurring additional costs, incurring economic loss, in
delaying achievement of CRC certification: NOW

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New
Mexico, gathered in convention in the City of Albuquerque this 14th day of
April, 2013, that the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
condemns and deplores the failure of the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification and Prometric to provide blind persons with Braille
and other appropriate auxiliary aids and services; and that the National
Federation of the Blind of New Mexico calls upon the Commission on
Rehabilitation Counselor Certification to immediately establish appropriate
methods to assure full and complete compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act; and that the National Federation of the Blind of New
Mexico calls upon the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
and Prometric to provide to the National Federation of the Blind of New
Mexico satisfactory assurances that persons who are blind shall in the
future receive appropriate Braille and other necessary auxiliary aids and
services.

 

 

_______________________________________

Adelmo Vigil

President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico 

 

 


RESOLUTION 2013-03, REGARDING THE ALBUQUERQUE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT


 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF NEW MEXICO

 

 

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico is the state's
largest and oldest organization of blind persons; and

 

WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico advocates on
behalf of blind persons and for the systems that serve persons who are
blind, including public transportation systems; and

 

WHEREAS, the Albuquerque Transit Department operates both fixed route and
para-transit systems; and

 

WHEREAS, many blind persons take both fixed route and para-transit systems;
and

 

WHEREAS, the fixed route and para-transit systems should be both accessible
and available to persons who are blind; and

 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Transportation recently found the
fixed route system operated by the Albuquerque Transit Department to be out
of compliance with respect to the announcement of stops and major
intersections, and since the Albuquerque Transit Department continues to
receive complaints as to the announcement of stops and major intersections;
and

 

WHEREAS, the Albuquerque Transit Department is undertaking a review of
persons found eligible to ride their Sun Van para-transit system; and

 

WHEREAS, blind persons who apply for para-transit services should have their
eligibility determined on factors that include the overall accessibility of
the fixed route system, including the entire transportation infrastructure
consisting of streets, sidewalks, and intersections: NOW

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of New
Mexico, gathered in convention in the City of Albuquerque this 14th day of
April, 2013, that the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico calls
upon the Albuquerque Transit Department to take the steps necessary to
become compliant with respect to making announcements of stops and major
intersections; and that the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
calls upon the Albuquerque Transit Department to continue to certify blind
persons as being eligible for the para-transit system; and that the National
Federation of the Blind of New Mexico states that it will adamantly oppose
any effort to decertify blind persons for para-transit eligibility. 

 

_______________________________________

_Adelmo Vigil

President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico 

 

 


OLD HIPS-NEW TRICKS


By Nancy Burns

 

Some form of exercise, walking in particular, has been a constant part of my
life. When my boys were small, it was fun to walk the several blocks to
school with them--until they insisted they could make the trip by
themselves. Some of my adventurous neighbors rode bikes, and at that time, I
owned a tandem. It was easy to find a friend who would co-pilot. These bike
rides usually concluded with a shopping trip, which involved walking, and in
a favorite mall. 

 

As a blind mom, I obviously did not drive, so my boys became accustomed to
walking or taking a bus. On the weekends, I would pack a lunch and we would
walk to a nearby park. That ended when they lost interest in the swings or
slides.

 

After becoming employed, I walked to a bus stop near my home, then
transferred and walked three long blocks to work. Before heading out for the
bus, I hit the treadmill for at least 10 or 15 minutes. Soon after retiring,
I met Don, also blind, and our main source of transportation was our two
feet along with the use of the long white cane. We hiked an average of two
or three miles a day. We also love to dance and enjoyed doing so when our
favorite country western band was in town. In other words, exercise has been
an important activity for me. 

 

Now in my seventies, I began to experience some of the aches and pains that
apparently accompany the dreaded aging process. I never gave this much
thought, because as a healthy woman, I had not contemplated the need to slow
down. The ever-present and worsening pain in my right hip finally sent me to
an orthopedic doctor. One of the comments he made to me was that he never
discouraged his patients from walking. He also said that he did not advise
patients to have surgery but that the patients would tell him when surgery
became needed. These were the circumstances that led me back to him and
arranging for a total hip replacement surgery. The doctor told me that the
recovery time was six months, a statement I promptly dismissed. After all, I
was a healthy woman, so it could not possibly take so long for me to heal.
Wrong.

 

A surgery date was set, and after the surgery, I spent four days in the
hospital. Since the trend is to get patients out of bed and get them moving
as soon as possible, I was urged out of bed the day after surgery. I must
admit that this was not a pleasant experience as the pain was intense.
Nurses placed a walker near my bed, but when I put my weight on the new hip,
I couldn't imagine how this surgery was a positive step. On the following
days and with subsequent short trips around my room, the pain did lessen
somewhat.

 

On the fourth day of hospitalization, I was transferred to a rehabilitation
center. I was surrounded by nurses and physical therapists who encouraged me
to walk using that painful hip. A walker was frustrating since I could not
use my white cane. I was accompanied by a nurse or therapist. As an active
and independent blind person, this was often a bitter pill for me to
swallow. 

 

My husband Don was my main support system. He moved into a guest room at
this facility and was almost always near my side. He encouraged and loved me
through the difficult times. Progress in my ability to walk did not come
quickly enough for me. Heavy duty pain medication and the lingering effects
of the anesthesia tended to fog my brain. I hated this feeling but was not
ready to refuse the pain meds. 

 

Progress did slowly occur, and on day ten, I was released from the rehab
program. I went home in a wheelchair from the rehab center to a van and then
to my door. That was the last time I used the chair. I was able to zip
around my house in the walker with only a few crashes. With all the modern
technology, it seems that a GPS-equipped walker should be a reality.

 

At the time of this writing, it is three months post op. Slowly but surely I
began walking outside and taking short trips once again using my white cane.
This eventually led to longer trips but with frequent stops along the way.
Don and I are back to hiking our old two-mile route. There is still some
pain in the incision, and my stride is not quite what it was once. The
surgeon told me that this was because the muscles are not yet completely
healed. 

 

The purpose of this article is to inform my comrades who are in the aging
process that there are possibilities out there worth exploring. It is
important to meet with a competent surgeon and to research the pros and cons
of surgery. Each patient will experience varying results, but this is my own
personal story. There will be ups and downs in such surgery, and it is up to
you to determine the value of this decision. Even with some lingering pain,
I believe I have made the right decision; after all, I am only halfway
through the doctor's estimated six months time for recovery. My life is
getting back to normal as I return to my usual activities. 

 

 


DIABETES: CHOLESTEROL AND HEALTHY EATING


By Dona Orgeron, R.N., Diabetes Educator

 

Hello Federationists!

Wow! What an incredible State Convention we had. There were activities,
workshops, music, games, contests, raffles, and door prizes-everyone I spoke
to was having a blast and learning a lot. The networking was an invaluable
experience for me. There were friends everywhere!

 

This article is the next installment in a series of articles that I plan to
write about "How to make Healthy Food Choices."

 

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol comes in two main forms: HDL & LDL.

HDL is the good or Happy cholesterol. When we recommend fish such as salmon,
catfish and swordfish, etc. and seeds such as flaxseed, sesame and pumpkin,
and nuts like almonds, walnuts and peanuts, we also explain that there is a
caveat: the portion size. These foods contain a lot of fat, but most of the
fat is the Happy or HDL. It is very important that we consume these foods in
the proper portions: the recommended fish portion is equal to the size of
the palm of your hand without fingers/thumb, the nuts portion is one ounce
or the amount that you can hold in the palm of your hand without touching
fingers/thumb, and the seeds portion is one teaspoon or half a tablespoon
(which can be sprinkled over your meal, salad, cereal or oatmeal).

 

HDL helps to rid the fatty plaques from the inside of your blood vessels,
which are caused by the bad or LOUSY cholesterol called LDL.

We find this LDL or Lousy cholesterol in saturated fat. Foods high in
saturated fat are things like margarine, fake margarine/butter which
undergoes a process called "hydrogenization" to make it solid and look like
margarine or butter, flour tortillas, red meat, skin of chicken and turkey,
and any deep-fried foods. If a serving size of the food product you want to
buy has more than 3 Grams of saturated fat (momosaturated, polysaturated or
saturated fat), we recommend that you just not even buy it. Your heart will
thank you!!!

 

Ask your Primary Care Provider to tell you what your numbers are: Total
Cholesterol, HDL and LDL. Memorize them. Your Total Cholesterol should be
150 or less. Your HDL should be over 50 for women and over 45 for men. Your
LDL should be less 

than 100, and your HDL should be higher than your LDL.

Remember, fresh fruit is probably the sweetest snack that you can
choose-yummy and nutritious, too! 

 

Have fun at the grocery store, and try a new fruit and a new veggie every
week.

 

 


GOOD EATING


 

Healthy Breakfast Smoothie

Submitted by: Veronica smith, President, West Mesa Chapter

 

Since smoothies seem to be the cat's meow, I've joined the craze and would
like to share just a little something with you. It really doesn't matter
what you put into your blender, I will guarantee it, it will be scrumptious!

Here is one of my favorites, but please be creative with yours.

 

1/2 cup oats, uncooked

1/2 cup frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

1/2 cup fresh spinach

1 cup fat-free milk, I use almond milk for a better flavor 

Splenda or Stevia, to taste 

 

Place milk in the blender, then place the remaining ingredients in the
blender and mix until the ingredients are smooth. Enjoy.

 

Optional fruits: apple, pears, oranges, any kind of berries. 

If they are not frozen, just add a handful of ice cubes.

Serves 1

 

 

Healthy Citrus Chicken Salad

Submitted by: Veronica Smith, President, West Mesa Chapter

 

As we slide into our summer and hot months, I like to make this tasty salad!

It is great for any day or for your favorite pot luck!

 

From: Kraft Canada (4/26/2013)

 

Makes 4 servings, 3 cups (750 ml) each

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

 

Nutritional Profile: Diabetes appropriate, healthy weight, heart healthy,
low calorie, low saturated fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, low
carbohydrate (1.5 per serving), excellent source of both vitamin A & vitamin
C

 

Ingredients:

4 cups baby spinach leaves

4 cups mixed salad greens

2 10- fl oz. (284 ml) can mandarin oranges, drained

2 cup sugar snap peas, halved

2 1/2 cups sliced cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted

1/4 cup Kraft Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing

 

Directions:

1. Combine all of the above ingredients, except the dressing in a large
bowl.

2. Add the dressing just before you are ready to serve, tossing the salad to
coat.

 

KRAFT KITCHEN TIPS:

SPECIAL EXTRA: Layer the ingredients in a clear glass bowl. Then, drizzle
with the dressing.

 

SUBSTITUTE: Prepare using snow peas.

 

Nutrition (per serving): calories 320, total fat 13 g (saturated fat

1.5 g), cholesterol 65 mg, sodium 260 mg, carbohydrates 22 g (dietary fiber

6 g, sugars 15 g), protein 30 g 

 

Nutritional Bonus: Vitamin A 110% dv, Vitamin C 120% dv, Calcium 10% dv,
Iron 30% dv

 

 


USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES


 

www.nfb.org/vehicledonations 

Go here to read the frequently asked questions on the charitable donation of
your vehicle to the National Federation of the Blind

 

www.allclearid.com 

At this website, you can have credit monitoring for free. There is a paid
version, but go to All Clear ID Basic. This does for free what the
heavily-advertised sites do at a charge of up to $15 per month.

 

www.farecast.com 

Go here and register for your next flight. It will tell you whether to
purchase your ticket now or wait.

 

www.airfarewatchdog.com 

Tells you the latest fees and "gotcha" rules dreamed up by the Airlines.
United and American now charge $200 to change your ticket, and Southwest now
eliminates your ticket without refund if you are a no-show.

 

 


MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


 

July 1-6, 2013

National Federation of the Blind annual National Convention in Orlando,
Florida.

 

August 3, 2013

Beatles fundraising event featuring our President Emeritus, Art Schreiber,
who toured with the Beatles. Details to follow.

 

August 24, 2013 from 4:00-6:00 PM

Albuquerque Swim Event and more. Sponsored by the Albuquerque and West Mesa
chapters and by POBC. More details to follow.

 

 

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