[Nfb-editors] New Mexico's - QUE PASA - September 2014

[Robert Leslie Newman]

QUE PASA

September 2014

 

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

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

 

Adelmo Vigil, President

E-mail:  <mailto:Avigil74 at gmail.com> Avigil74 at gmail.com

(575) 921-5422

 

James Babb, Editor

E-mail:  <mailto:jim.babb at samobile.net> jim.babb at samobile.net

(505) 291-3112

 

Tonia Trapp, Assistant Editor

E-mail: Tonialeigh513 at earthlink.net

(505) 856-5346

 

Table of Contents

PREAMBLE. 2

EDITOR'S NOTE. 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. 2

A CHANCE TO WORK THANKS TO NFB.. 3

WHO WAS AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NFB OF NEW MEXICO?. 4

TWO COMPANIES THAT REPAIR PERKINS BRAILLEWRITERS. 5

AGAINST THE ODDS. 6

BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING GIVES OUT TALKING MONEY IDENTIFIER.. 8

THE 2014 NFB NATIONAL CONVENTION.. 10

WHITE CANE ESSAY CONTEST. 13

DIGGING A HOLE. 14

GOOD EATING.. 15

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES. 16

MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 17

 

 


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 everyone, I hope you have had a great summer and are looking forward
to the fall. I thank those who submitted articles, recipes, announcements,
etc., without which we would have no newsletter. Numerous events and
activities will happen in the near future such as the New Mexico State Fair
Parade, White Cane Banquet, and celebration of the 75th anniversary of the
founding of the National Federation of the Blind in 1942. Thanks again to
Tonia Trapp for her help in organizing Que Pasa and also reading it onto New
Mexico Newsline.

 


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE


 

By Adelmo Vigil, President, NFB of New Mexico

 

Greetings Federation Family:

 

I will start by commenting on the National Convention in Orlando in July.
Like always, it was a great convention, and the agenda was packed with great
and exciting topics. We had twenty-four members registered. Our thanks go to
Christine Hall for taking charge of the fundraising table, and thanks to all
who worked at the table in the exhibit hall. There was a great tribute to
Dr. Marc Maurer for his excellent leadership as the President of the
National Federation of the Blind since 1986. Congratulations to Mr. Mark A.
Riccobono who was elected as our new president, and we look forward to many
exciting and innovative programs in the future.

 

I look forward to seeing you at the State Fair Parade on Saturday, September
13.

 

We are planning a training seminar in Albuquerque on October 24 and 25 for
all State board members, Chapter and Division presidents and all their board
members.

 

As we move toward the seventy-five year celebration of the National
Federation of the Blind, we want to focus on strengthening our existing
chapters and divisions along with creating new chapters throughout the
state. We will be calling on members of each local chapter and division to
help us 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.

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 


A CHANCE TO WORK THANKS TO NFB


 

By Pat Munson

 

Fifty years ago in September, I started teaching in public schools. A few
years before, I would have been told that a blind person could not teach
sighted students. There was a vision requirement in every credential. The
vision requirement was deleted because NFB members worked to change that
law.

 

I worked for thirty-five years completing all the same tasks as my fellow
teachers. All my work was accomplished on time; the only difference was that
I used readers. I did yard duty and oversaw the lunchroom.

 

We in the NFB are changing what it means to be blind; we live the life we
want!

 

This fall Monica Martinez has been employed to work with elementary school
students as a counselor. I'm certain that she is as happy to go to work as I
was. This is one reason we work in concert to better the lives of the
nation's blind!

 


WHO WAS AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NFB OF NEW MEXICO?


 

By Peggy Chong

 

In 2016, NFB of New Mexico will celebrate its 60th birthday. I got to
wondering, who was at that first meeting, and why and where did they go. It
would seem that in honor of our 60th, we might want to know more about our
founders and share more information with each other about the founding
members. I would like to introduce you to one of the original members of
this affiliate: Walter A. Frady.

 

Walter was born in Neligh, Nebraska on December 26, 1889. In 1913, he
married Mildred and they had a son, Robert. Walter worked as a salesman for
the Goodyear Tire Company for many years. After the death of his first wife,
he moved to Independence, Missouri and got another sales position. He also
married Frieda in 1929. Walter was a tall man with blue eyes and black hair
in his youth, but it started going gray by his late forties. Somewhere about
this time, he lost his eyesight.

 

He moved to Gallup and operated a vending stand, selling magazines,
newspapers, candy and such at the Gallup Post Office. Mr. and Mrs. Frady
lived in an apartment building on Hill Street. Walter was active in the
local community as a member of the Elks Club. He also was a past Director of
the Gallup Lions Club, chairing some of their fundraisers. In 1957, he and
two other men from Gallup attended the International Lions Convention in San
Francisco. 

 

Walter had kept in touch with his son Robert, even though as a young boy,
Robert had gone to live with his aunt after the death of his mother. Robert
had moved to Albuquerque for his work. So Walter's grandsons would come to
visit their grandfather in Gallup. Many times the visits were noted in the
Gallup Independent. Robert named his first son William Walter, after his
father. At the time of Walter's death, he had four grandsons. 

 

Walter was one of the first members of the newly-formed affiliate of the NFB
of New Mexico. He was only a member for a short time, but he wanted to be
active in the newly-formed organization. 

 

Walter died on April 22, 1958. He had been planning to attend the second
annual convention of the new affiliate. His wife, Frieda did attend in his
memory. 

 


TWO COMPANIES THAT REPAIR PERKINS BRAILLEWRITERS


 

Unfortunately, we do not have anyone in New Mexico who can repair a Perkins
Braillewriter. Nonetheless, two of our members have recently provided
information about companies they have used for such repairs, as follows:

 

Mr. Daniel Simpson
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

300 N.E. 18th St. 

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Email: dsimpson at okdrs.gov

405.522.0526

 

Herb Hasemann

1005 Meridian Ranch Dr.

Rino, NV 89523

Email: heha.34 at att.net

775-376-8292

 

Please call or email the individuals above to make arrangements and ask
about pricing before you ship any equipment to them for repair.

 


AGAINST THE ODDS


 

By Nancy Burns

 

My sudden loss of sight at age 11 due to an injury was traumatic enough, but
the realization that I was no longer perceived as the same energetic,
inquisitive sixth-grader was even more devastating. My classmates avoided me
and even my relatives and parents treated me differently. Only my younger
sister seemed to take my blindness in stride, and we remained close even to
this day. 

 

It soon became obvious to me that my life was forever changed, simply
because I could no longer see. How was I to be content with the fact that
many now felt sorry for me and worse, pitied me? I frequently heard hushed
conversations come to a stop as I entered a room. 

 

My desire to move independently through familiar surroundings was often
thwarted by well-meaning relatives. The possibility of returning to the
public school I had attended was no longer an option, but I began to hear
about a school that blind students could attend. Some relatives opposed this
move as the school was over 300 miles away and I would become a resident
while attending classes there. It was the best thing that ever happened to
me. In this new setting, there were those who had confidence in me and did
not question but actually encouraged my desire to learn and become
physically active. 

 

Learning to read and write Braille and learning to move about with the use
of my long white cane became the pillars of my independence. As I met other
blind kids, and especially a blind teacher, things began to look a lot
rosier. While growing into my new shoes and doing the things I wanted to do,
such as cooking and living independently, friends and relatives began to
tell me that I was brave and amazing. If it weren't for my blind mentors, I
doubt that I would have completed college, traveled, or done many of the
things that had become normal to me. 

 

The knowledge that I was neither brave nor amazing gave me the impetus to
educate people to the fact that blind people were simply people who happened
to be blind. To be successful, it was imperative to learn the proper
adaptive techniques. During my college years I met blind students who
provided me with support and friendship. I was introduced to the National
Federation of the Blind and discovered a wealth of information as I
continued to gain confidence as a blind woman. 

 

After graduating from college, I married and had two terrific boys. I
continued my lifelong endeavor of reaching out to those in my life to assure
them that I was just a mom who enjoyed family life and the accompanying
challenges. 

 

After several years of married life, my husband and I drifted apart and
decided to go our separate ways. As a single parent who happens to be blind,
my efforts were met with a variety of responses. 

It was always my desire to maintain a "normal" lifestyle for my two boys. On
the first day of school for each of them, I walked them to school along with
other moms and other kids. I joined PTA and took them to Cub Scout meetings.
If they needed a ride to an event, I would repay the accommodating mom with
coffee and cookies. In spite of my ongoing campaign to create an atmosphere
of normalcy, I sometimes heard comments from not only children, but from
adults, as to how my sons had to perform most of the responsibilities at
home as they had a blind mom. I simply attempted to correct these
misconceptions. 

 

After both of my boys were out of school and on their own, I chanced to meet
a woman who had also been involved in PTA. She remembered me as the result
of a meeting I hosted in my home. To my astonishment, the one memory that
stuck in her mind was the fact that I could pour and serve coffee to those
present. The odds of meeting this woman were great. Her reason for
remembering me was demeaning and insulting. 

 

Early on, I had learned that there were those who possessed about as much
sensitivity as my pet rock. Occasionally, there was a bright spot in my life
when someone really got it. Unfortunately, those in the health care
profession often are the worst offenders. One incident occurred when I
entered the office of a doctor, and the nurse attempted to push and pull me
and said there was a chair right there. I explained to her that verbal
directions such as right or left were helpful. To my surprise and delight,
the next time I entered that office, the same nurse explained that the chair
was to my right. I thanked her for remembering and she told me that she had
been practicing. There is hope, but it is well to note that progress
sometimes comes in baby steps. 

 

Much later, the flip side of these sometimes traumatic years was my
introduction to Don Burns by a mutual friend. This occurred during an NFB
convention in Dallas, Texas. I was living in California at the time and Don
was from New Mexico. What are the odds of such an encounter? This meeting
led to 20 years of love, fun, and incredible experiences by the side of my
wonderful husband Don. 

 

The two of us have traveled together, worked on numerous NFB projects
together, and have walked probably miles together. Sailing off to new and
fascinating places on a cruise ship is a favorite vacation for us. As we
meet passengers from around the world, we are greeted with a variety of
responses. I suppose it is a novelty for some to see two people traveling
with the use of a long white cane. We are called "brave," "courageous" and
occasionally and against the odds we are greeted as rather "normal."

 

Since I am an avid shopper, some of our hikes have taken us through a
fascinating array of shopping malls. While wandering through such malls,
there is sometimes a person with clipboard and pen taking a survey. On
occasions when we are walking with a sighted friend, we have observed that
our friend is usually stopped and asked to participate, but normally we are
ignored as if the survey-taker doesn't know to ask questions of two blind
people. Since we believe that we would not be interested in the survey, or
whatever, we are happy to be ignored and continue on our walk. 

 

On one of these recent trips, I stopped at a favorite clothing store and
after browsing, stood in line to make a purchase. I heard the customers in
front of me being asked if they would like to participate in an upcoming
fashion show. Because of my somewhat skeptical faith in the open-mindedness
of much of society, I automatically assumed that I would not be asked to
participate. As I stepped up to the counter, it was surprising to hear the
associate ask me the same question. To my greater surprise, I heard myself
answer, "Yes." I was pleased to participate in this event. There were 25
models and each of us could choose two different outfits to model. It was
fun, and I would enjoy doing it again. While moving through the store with
my white cane, I was hoping that the observers might be inclined to change
any false impressions about blind people. 

 

Each and every Federationist is an ambassador of the truth as we attempt to
eradicate false impressions that have been in existence for centuries. This
is not an easy undertaking, but we need to whittle away at these harmful and
inaccurate stereotypes. As we continue to be told that we are brave and
amazing, we need to take the necessary actions to curb these beliefs. Simply
moving about with our white canes and exhibiting confidence will go far to
advance the process of changing what it means to be blind.

 


BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING GIVES OUT TALKING MONEY IDENTIFIER


 

By Curtis Chong

 

I thought that everyone who works with people who are blind or visually
impaired would appreciate learning about a significant announcement from the
U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The text of the announcement is shown
below, but if you want to see pictures and obtain additional information,
point your browser to this address:

 

 <http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html>
http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html

 

Essentially, the announcement says that the Bureau (dubbed BEP) is providing
a free currency reader (i.e., the iBill) to eligible blind or visually
impaired individuals. The iBill is a very good currency reader; I have used
one myself. If you were to purchase one today, you would spend about $119 to
get it. Starting September 2, anyone who is eligible to borrow books from
the Library for the Blind will be able to call 1-888-657-7323 and pre-order
an iBill.

 

While I myself have little difficulty managing paper currency (I do fold my
money <smile>), there are times and situations in which the iBill can be
extremely helpful--as when someone hands me a pile of paper bills that I
need to sort, and no one happens to be around to help with this task.

 

Here is the announcement from the BEP:

 

 

 

U.S. Currency Reader Program
iBill Talking Banknote Identifier

 

As an interim measure in advance of issuing tactile-enhanced Federal Reserve
notes, the BEP is providing currency readers, free of charge, to eligible
blind and visually impaired individuals.

 

The BEP recently announced its distribution plans for the U.S. Currency
Reader Program. Details of the announcement can be found in a press release
issued on Thursday, July 3, 2014, and another released on Monday, July 14,
2014.

 

The U.S. Currency Reader Program will launch in two phases:

 

Pilot: Beginning September 2, 2014, in partnership with the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, (NLS)
the BEP will initiate a four-month pilot where NLS patrons can pre-order a
currency reader. The pilot program allows the government to test its
ordering and distribution processes and gauge demand for currency readers.
To receive a currency reader, eligible individuals who are currently patrons
of NLS need only call 1-888-NLS-READ; the account will be noted and a
currency reader will be delivered to the address on file.

 

National Rollout: Currency readers will be widely available to all U.S.
citizens, or persons legally residing in the U.S. who are blind or visually
impaired, starting January 2, 2015. Individuals who are not NLS patrons must
submit an application, signed by a competent authority who can certify
eligibility. Applications will be available on this website and processed
for non-patrons of NLS beginning January 2, 2015.

 


THE 2014 NFB NATIONAL CONVENTION


 

By Pat Munson

 

The first full day Jack and I were at the NFB convention was Monday, June

30th. One of the greatest things about these conventions is that blind folks

can wander around the hotel without sighted folks trying to help us. Blind

people learn where restaurants and other places are using different methods;

some of these "bother" sighted folks. 

 

We simply walked the miles around the hotel reminding ourselves where

restaurants and so on were located. We had used this Florida hotel the

previous year.

 

Tuesday afternoon I spoke at a seminar for seniors about different

retirement housing options such as the one in which we live here in

Albuquerque. The bottom line is that if a senior does not have much money,

housing is a serious problem. Ruth Segar, the division president, had

invited persons who work at Senior Services in the Florida area--an agency
that assists seniors with all their needs--to talk about how each senior's
needs are different. Every county in the USA has such services.

 

One evening we attended the NFB of New Mexico caucus. It was fun to chat

with our pals. A number of our attendees were not present because they had
conflicting meetings.

As you no doubt know, this convention is a very busy time.

 

On Wednesday, we looked around the exhibit hall, where state affiliates sell
items.

New Mexico had home-grown pistachio nuts, bag holders, and Art Schreiber's
book about his

journey into blindness. There were also tons of companies selling computer

stuff, and I cannot remember the rest. This exhibit hall is always fun for
us who have been in NFB for decades, because we always run into pals from
around the country whom we have not seen for a while. Jack actually sold the
nuts for four hours while I attended a meeting.

Joni Martinez worked with him. He said that they were a great team!

 

Oh, how could I forget to tell you that we had wonderful dinners every

night. The first night we had dinner with about ten friends from California
(where I lived most of my life). The

food was Cuban and was great! Jack had chicken, sausage, and shrimp while I

had chicken, and beans and rice ... oh, were they good.

We do miss the wonderful fish they have in Florida. Also, we had tons of
thunder

and rain; it was fun to run out to get wet!

 

Thursday was the Board of Directors meeting of NFB. President Maurer, who

had held the office for 28 years, announced he would not stand for election

again. We knew it was coming, but it will be odd to have a different

president.

 

That afternoon I attended the Senior Division meeting. I worked at our

auction, which generates money to donate to the different funds of NFB. Some
of the

speakers at the four-hour meeting talked about seniors using iPhones and

other young-person stuff. A lawyer spoke about seniors giving power of

attorney to a family member, friend, etc. When older persons have memory

problems, this is very important. Another person spoke about moving to

another place near where the senior had lived, or moving far away (the way
we

did). It was a great meeting as usual!

 

That evening we had steak with NFB friends from the East Coast whom we had
not

seen for years. When you have been active in NFB as long as we have, it is

not unusual to know blind folks in just about all the states, and it is much

fun running into them in meetings and halls. A couple of times I had lunch

with pals from Virginia and Utah, where we talked about the good-old days in

the 1970's!

 

The General Sessions of the convention were held from Friday-Sunday. Each
state has assigned seats in a huge hall. I started out sitting with New
Mexico--where I met Toby and Patrick--but

then I migrated to a number of other affiliates as I always do. We heard
from various U.S. government departments, had discussions about fair wages
for workers, and

received updates about computer access; many blind persons must use this
stuff as a part of their

work. 

 

Sunday evening was the banquet. The dinner was very good; last year's was

awful, so I was happy! Scholarships were awarded, and many drawings were
held.

One of my friends from California won two-thousand five-hundred dollars, he
is now

my best friend! Our out-going president gave the banquet address. The end of

the banquet was the final event of the 2014 convention.

 

Most of us made our way home on Monday. Happily, our return trip was
uneventful! However, on the flight we chatted with new member Tom O'Brien
and NFBNM state scholarship winner Zachary Dreicer, what fun!

 


WHITE CANE ESSAY CONTEST


 

by Peggy Chong

 

The Albuquerque and West Mesa Chapters of the National Federation of the
Blind of New Mexico invite you to enter the annual 2014 White Cane Essay
Contest! 

October is Meet The Blind Month. Traditionally, here in Albuquerque, we have
focused on the White Cane as a symbol for blind people of both our ability
to travel independently and confidently, and of our ability to achieve full,
first-class citizenship in our society.

 

This fall, at our White Cane Banquet on Saturday October 18th at the
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel, we will announce the winners of our essay
contest. There will be a category for adults and a category for youth. In
each category, we will offer a $25 first prize and a $10 second prize. The
winning essays will be read at our luncheon that day. 

 

Please write an essay, telling us how your white cane has been a symbol to
or for you of your independence as a blind person. Has there been a time in
your life when your cane has said more to those you encountered than any
words could have conveyed? 

 

You may submit your essay via email to Gail Wagner at
<mailto:teachingdots at gmail.com> teachingdots at gmail.com. Or you can mail it
to her in print or Braille at 12012 Palo Duro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. We
look forward to hearing from you.

 


DIGGING A HOLE


 

By Art Tannenbaum

 

The man is digging a hole

With a pick axe or so it sounds

5:30 (or, "close enough for jazz")

I offer him a Pepsi - no Coke - Pepsi

Pepsi

It's not hot out but he is working hard

At least he is digging an honest hole

I do not get too close

Who knows what I may be nearing

He rises and says, "Thank you, sir"

Some of the few English words he knows

This much is clear

I tell the man right near the end of an honest day's work,

"You're welcome," and even though I cannot see

I know that he & I are looking eye to eye

Inside

I put on the music

Loud

It's Rhythm & Blues

Soul

My windows are open

As evening begins to settle in

The man understands

The end of one more day's work

is at last now at hand

 


GOOD EATING


 

TUMBLEWEEDS

 

Submitted by Veronica Smith

 

In a state that specializes in Tumbleweeds, what's better than to have a
recipe with the name of our favorite weed! Oh, and they are so delicious!

 

2 cups butterscotch chips

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 (12 ounce) can peanuts

1 (4 ounce) can shoestring potatoes

 

Melt chips and peanut butter in double boiler. Add peanuts and shoestring
potatoes to butterscotch mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Cool.

 


USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES


 

www.nfb.org 

Or call: 410-659-9314 

Now that it is back to school time, go here to get your free white cane and
free slate and stylus.

 

800-373-3411 

Get your phone numbers at no cost 

 

1-800-yellow pages(1-800-935-9657) 

Free access to the Yellow Pages 

 

1-866-322-8228 

Call this number to get your official free credit report in accessible
format: Braille, large print, etc. The three credit reporting companies are
Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. Your credit report is used in many
transactions such as getting a job, renting an apartment, applying for a
credit card, signing up for a cell phone contract and much more! 

 

1-202-225-3121 

This is the U.S. Capitol switchboard, which can connect you to your Senator
or Representative. 

 

www.donotcall.com 

Go here to register your cell phone or home phone to block unwanted sales
calls. Political calls and calls from nonprofit organizations are exempted. 

 


MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


 

September 13 State Fair Parade. Let's all gather and proudly march in this
annual Parade as we have done in past years! 

 

October 15 National White Cane Day observed 

 

October 18 Albuquerque Annual White Cane Banquet. To be held at the
Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown located at 2600 Louisiana Blvd. NE. More details
to follow.

 

November 15 The beginning of the celebration and activities of the 75th
anniversary of the founding of the National Federation of the Blind. 

 

 

 

Robert Leslie Newman

Personal Website-

 <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info/> http://www.thoughtprovoker.info

President, NFB Writers' Division

Division Website-

http://writers.nfb.org

Chair, NFB Communications Committee

Vice President, Nebraska Senior Division 

First Vice President, Omaha Chapter

Commissioner, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired