[Nfb-editors] New Mexico's June issue of QUE PASA

[Robert Leslie Newman]

QUE PASA

June 2015

 

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 <mailto:Avigil74 at gmail.com> 

(575) 921-5422

 

James Babb, Editor

E-mail: jim.babb at samobile.net <mailto: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.. 1

EDITOR'S NOTE.. 1

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.. 2

ANNUAL SAGE DIVISION MEETING.. 2

A LETTER TO JACOBUS TENBROEK.. 3

JAWS TRAINING MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON AN NLS CARTRIDGE FROM THE NFB
INDEPENDENCE MARKET.. 5

MEMORIES OF MARCELLA (MARCY) GALLEGOS. 6

MAXIMILIAN EUGENE FROST.. 6

CHOICE MAGAZINE LISTENING.. 9

NONVISUAL ACCESS TO THE ABSENTEE BALLOT: A GOAL WORTH ACHIEVING <> .. 9

DON BURNS AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE <> . 11

KNIFE SAFETY.. 12

GOOD EATING.. 15

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES. 15

MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. 16

 

 

 


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 Federationists and Friends, 

I hope you enjoy the articles that you all submitted in this issue. As you
might realize, without your participation, there would be no affiliate
newsletter that we call Que Pasa. Many events and activities will happen in
the near future, like the 75th anniversary of our great organization to be
celebrated at our annual national convention July 5-10 in Orlando, Florida,
and local fund raisers and activities by our NM chapters. Thanks to Tonia
Trapp for her help in organizing and correcting submitted articles and also
reading Que Pasa onto New Mexico Newsline.

 


PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE


by Adelmo Vigil, President, NFB of New Mexico

 

Greetings Federation Family:

 

I want to thank the Board of Directors and everyone who worked hard in
planning our very successful state convention in April. It was the largest
gathering of the blind in New Mexico. It was great to see everyone who
attended the convention. We thank Mr. Kevan Worley for the great job he did
as our National Representative.

Now we are getting ready for our 75th anniversary National Convention in
Orlando in July. I look forward to seeing many of you in Orlando. I believe
it will be the largest national convention in the history of the National
Federation of the Blind.

 

As for our New Mexico Affiliate, we have several activities coming up this
fall. In September we have the State Fair Parade, and in October we are
planning a leadership seminar in Albuquerque. Also in October, local
chapters will be planning activities for White Cane Day and Meet the Blind
Month.

We call on members of each local chapter and division to help spread the
National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico's vision, and together we can
change what it means to be blind for children, youth and adults of all ages
in New Mexico.

 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico 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.

 


ANNUAL SAGE DIVISION MEETING


by Pat Munson

 

The annual SAGE Division meeting was held on April 10, 2015 at the Sheraton
Albuquerque Uptown Hotel. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM by
President Nancy Burns. She asked us to each state our name and give
ourselves a number for a cash drawing to be held at the end of the meeting.
Ruth Romancito, CGFI Exercise Specialist, who teaches strength and balance
to seniors, had us all get off our chairs and move. Since she has worked
with Nancy Burns, she knows how to give verbal directions that blind folks
can understand. She talked about the importance

of maintaining balance to prevent falling. At the end of her routine, we
were all pleased with her workout, but were very happy to sit and rest.

 

The next topic was the importance of the White Cane Law. Don Burns brought
Braille copies of said law and reminded us that it is important in public to
have the white cane or guide dog in view so the public is aware of their
obligation to drive with care.

 

Caroline Benavidez then gave us useful suggestions on shopping as a blind
person. When we go food shopping, she suggested we shop at a quiet time so
in-store help will have the time to assist. Also, she advised that it saves
time if we carry labels in Braille that we can attach to purchased items
before we leave the store. She further suggested that blind persons go to
stores from time to time simply to browse. We need to SEE the latest
fashions and textures of fabric, and one cannot do that online.

 

Urja Lansing continued by discussing how to keep clothing sorted so the
blind person knows the color and what goes with what. Braille tags and pins
can be attached to garments for quick identification.

 

The business meeting commenced with the reading of the minutes of the 2014
meeting by Secretary Pat Munson. This was followed by the treasurer's
report. Peggy Hayes reported a balance of $285.26.

 

Elections: President, Nancy Burns; Vice President, Harold Martinez;
Secretary, Pat Munson; Treasurer, Shirley (Urja) Lansing; and Board Member,
Coby Livingstone.

 

The meeting concluded with the drawing. Urja Lansing's number was selected.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.

 


A LETTER TO JACOBUS TENBROEK


 

Dear Dr. tenBroek:

 

Many of us have not had the honor and privilege of meeting you, and many of
us know you only through your speeches, articles, and other publications.
All of us are grateful for your philosophy and attitude toward blindness.
You are the foundation and creator of the National Federation of the Blind.
In November of 1940, you accomplished an historic feat by bringing together
blind persons from seven states. It was a small beginning which led to the
formation of a mighty organization with goals of self-determination by those
of us who happen to be blind. Your brilliance and imagination became the
springboard for a unique movement perpetuating the right to first-class
citizenship for all blind people. 

 

Even with the completion of a Bachelor's, a Master's, and a law degree
(Doctorate in Jurisprudence), you were met with discrimination when applying
for gainful employment. Achieving a second Doctorate in Jurisprudence, this
time from the Harvard Law School, speaks volumes about your desire for
further education and your ability to obtain such a phenomenal scholastic
record. 

 

In spite of the barriers you encountered, soon after obtaining a position at
Chicago University Law School, you met with a group of blind people in
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and laid the groundwork for the National
Federation of the Blind. Your determination in this effort was supported by
Dr. Newel Perry, blind teacher and mentor. Your bold strategy of proposing
that the blind speak for themselves was a totally unique philosophy and was
met with some opposition by organizations and agencies for the blind. You
would be pleased to know of the progress that has been made in the last 75
years. The organization has grown and moved forward in a positive direction,
and it is all based upon your initial hope and belief in the abilities of
blind people. 

 

With your guidance and influence, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan assumed leadership of
the NFB. Considerable progress was made as we struggled against agencies
wanting to speak for us, to pay us sub-minimum wages, and to block the
progress in our struggle toward independence. Kenneth Jernigan made a huge
impact on the public's attitude about blindness by creating the Kernel
books.

 

The need to educate the public and to remove inaccurate belief systems has
been an ongoing mission of the NFB. Agencies for the blind have attempted to
tell us what employment opportunities we should pursue, have released
demeaning and demoralizing articles about the supposed inadequacies of the
blind, and have opposed our efforts to have school books and other materials
available in Braille. NFB training centers and the National Center for the
Blind were created and operated by imaginative and well-educated blind
people. 

 

Grounded in your philosophy and belief in those of us who are blind, Dr.
Marc Maurer stepped forward to continue the progress and to carry on the
quest for first-class citizenship for all blind people. He discussed not
only the rights of the blind but also the responsibilities as well. The NFB
continued in such endeavors as improving technology in all areas of our
lives that are taken for granted by the sighted public. This organization
has assumed the responsibility of monitoring educational programs and has
perpetuated the use of Braille. NFB centers are now an option allowing blind
people to avoid the limitations of many agencies for the blind. 

 

Great advances have been made since 1940, but most of this success is a
result of your forward thinking and the belief in the abilities of the
blind. It is only fitting and appropriate, Dr. tenBroek, that you are thus
acknowledged and honored by this seventy-fifth anniversary celebration of
the founding of this organization. We owe you not only gratitude for what
you began, but also the commitment to continue this effort in your
footsteps. With acknowledgement of our beginnings and hope for the future,
we continue to change what it means to be blind.

 

Cordially yours,

A Longtime Federationist

 


JAWS TRAINING MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON AN NLS CARTRIDGE FROM THE NFB
INDEPENDENCE MARKET


 

The National Federation of the Blind encourages blind individuals to reach
for their dreams, so they can live the lives they want. Building one's
capacity to live one's dreams usually includes developing various
skill-sets, such as independent travel and Braille and computer literacy.
Many people are still using Windows-based computers on the job, at school,
and at home. Often it's difficult to find good training resources to learn
how to use screen readers and various applications.

 

Here is where the NFB Independence Market can help. Recently JAWSR users
gained access to new training materials developed by Freedom Scientific. The
new training bundle contains over fifty hours of training on the use of JAWS
for Windows with various productivity applications, such as Windows 7,
Windows 8, Microsoft Office 2010 and 2013, and more. Lessons also include
learning how to browse the internet and read PDF files with JAWS. This JAWS
training bundle is now exclusively available from the NFB Independence
Market on an NLS cartridge.

 

This portable training medium offers many advantages. Since the training
content is on an NLS cartridge, legally blind individuals can obtain
playback equipment from their library for the blind at no charge. It no
longer matters if students live in an urban or a rural area. They can study
from the comfort of their own home or any other convenient location.
Students set their schedule and learn at their own pace. It is easy to start
and stop training, jump to, or repeat specific lessons. Purchasing the
training bundle is less expensive per hour than paying for one-on-one
training. It is evident that the training bundle on the NLS cartridge is a
great JAWS training solution for both individuals and agencies.

 

For more information about the JAWS training materials on the NLS cartridge
or other products and literature available from the NFB Independence Market,
please email us at independencemarket at nfb.org or call us at (410) 659-9314,
extension 2216. You may also browse our catalog and ecommerce site online at
http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4207&qid=764946.

 


MEMORIES OF MARCELLA (MARCY) GALLEGOS


by Diana Marquez

 

I have known Marcella since the early 1980's, and I met her at the National
Federation of the Blind. She enjoyed going to our Alumni Reunions and
helping out where she could. 

 

Marcella was one of my best friends. She loved to talk on the phone about
her family and their events such as birthday parties and other occasions.
She enjoyed eating out after the Westside Chapter meeting on the second
Saturdays of the month. We would go to different places to eat. She will be
greatly missed.

 


MAXIMILIAN EUGENE FROST


by Peggy Chong

 

Max was born January 1, 1852 in Vienna, Austria, although he often told
people, and recorded in many documents, that he was born in New Orleans,
Louisiana. He was orphaned as a young child. His father died in a battle
during the Civil War and his mother was reported to have died at age 48.
There were seven children in the family, but it is not known how old Max was
at the time of his mother's death, or where he was at that time. There is
little independent documentation of his early life other than Frost's own
accounts.

 

In January of 1867, riding high on the Civil War rhetoric, Max lied about
his age and signed up for the Army in Brooklyn, NY. When he entered the
Army, an opportunity for a better education was presented to Max, and he
took advantage of the government's needs to expand its size and new
communication options. Max was eventually assigned to Santa Fe, New Mexico
with the Signal Corps. 

 

When Frost arrived in Santa Fe with the Army in 1876, he found his home. He
found a place where he could control and expand his destiny, and the destiny
of others as well. He believed in the Manifest Destiny of the "White
American." Max set out to do what he believed was his calling, to
Americanize the Indians and Hispanics of the Santa Fe area and New Mexico. 

 

His first job in the Army involved monitoring and maintaining the telegraph
wires for Arizona and New Mexico. This put him in direct communication with
the Western end of the territory, the military, and the rest of the country,
giving him access to information that most people did not have. Max signed
up with several newspapers back East to become their Western correspondent.
When news came to him over the telegraph, he re-wrote the news into a story
and sent it off to the papers back East for a bit more pocket change. 

 

As part of his job, he traveled across the territory of New Mexico,
surveying lands, water and mineral resources. He brought back information
and stories for the local Santa Fe papers. This translated into writing
feature stories for the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper. He became the editor
of the New Mexican in 1883 and soon was its owner. He used the paper to
promote the Republican agenda, making him a valuable leader in the
Republican party. 

 

Another of his assignments was to head up the land office in Santa Fe, being
appointed by the President in 1881. He was paid through the fees that he
collected from land transfers and mining fees from those wishing to purchase
lands in the newly-opened territory. At this point in New Mexico history,
many of the land office personnel became wealthy, because they had the power
to decide the legitimacy of land claims and to whom the titles would be
given. Such a position had a lot of power and influence that could be
bought, and in many cases, land was bought and sold but not based on the
merits of the claims. Today, many would say that Max Frost was a greedy man,
skimming off the top of the land sales as well as openly discriminating
against the Indians or Hispanics who had lived on the land for generations
by giving their land to the white people, Republicans, and the military for
U.S. development. Max achieved the rank of Colonel while in this post. 

 

By 1883, The Santa Fe Ring and its activities were becoming a hot topic in
Washington, D.C. New Mexico had a reputation of lawlessness and corruption.
Charges were brought against Frost in 1885 as one of the Ring's leaders.
President Cleveland targeted Max specifically and wanted him tried and
jailed for his activities with the Ring. Max was tried for his greed and was
eventually acquitted. Much is written about the Ring and can be read more in
detail in books such as All Trails Lead to Santa Fe, so we will not go into
more detail here. 

 

Max became blind in the last two decades of his life. He had Locomotor
Ataxia, a disease that causes jerky movements of the arms and legs. He lost
his teeth, and he slowly lost control of his legs until he could no longer
walk. Some news accounts say that this was caused by a carriage accident,
that the fall triggered the Ataxia. 

 

By 1899, Frost had lost enough vision that he felt it was necessary to hire
someone who could become his right-hand man at the newspaper. He hired Paul
Walter, a newspaper man from Colorado. Although Walter started as a
reporter, within four years, Frost had promoted him to assistant editor. 

 

Frost's illness and blindness did not stop him from networking and
traveling, which were necessary to maintain his contacts and influence. His
wife Maude often traveled with him. She gave birth to their son in Kansas
City, MO, on one of their travels. When opponents discovered that Max was no
longer the physically strong man he had been, Max invented himself once
again. As a blind man, he told the press, he could work more efficiently
than a sighted editor. Some people with Frost's ill health might have
withdrawn from the public light, but not Max. He served on the Santa Fe
school board, traveled, and continued to write and publish his newspaper.

 

By 1901, his condition had gotten to the point that he took to his bed a
good deal of the time. He had lost all his teeth, was paralyzed, and was now
totally blind. But he was still in control of the newspaper and his other
affairs. His mind was still clear. But in a declining physical condition, he
realized that he was losing the control that he held over people. This was a
strong reason to keep control over the newspaper. His articles and
editorials represented the power that he held over the community and its
citizens.

 

Rival newspapers had a field day in 1906, when on Thanksgiving Day, Max was
in his office working on the newspaper when the telephone rang. Max was used
to the old days when a yell from him would bring about anything he wanted.
Max yelled for the boy in the office to answer the phone. As it was
Thanksgiving, the boy had gone home to his turkey dinner. The phone kept
ringing. Max, who was used to others doing for him and covering up his
blindness rather than learning how to do more things without his sight,
fumbled for the phone, but could not find it. He yelled, then he yelled even
louder. Max was known for his loud voice. Suddenly, his false teeth fell
out, and his jaw snapped. His bones were degenerating from his ataxia. When
the doctor was called, he declared that the fracture was a compound one and
would not heal well.

 

In 1908, Max sold the New Mexican to Paul Walter, who would remain the
editor for many years. The end was near, and he knew it. 

 

Max was a founding member of the Masons in New Mexico, serving in many
leadership positions well into the twentieth century. In 1902, he was the
very first New Mexican to receive the 33 Degree, the highest honor the
Masons can bestow on their members. He was also the Secretary of the Bureau
of Immigration since 1897. He was a founding member of the White Oaks and
Kansas City Railway. He served on the Central Committee for the Republicans
in New Mexico for 25 years, leaving that position shortly before his death.
He was the first President and founder of the Fairview Cemetery in Santa Fe.
He served on the local historical society and gave generously and regularly
to these and other organizations in Santa Fe. He purchased land around the
area and continued doing so until the last years of his life. For example,
he purchased the Alameda Ranch in 1900, which brought him additional income.

 

After selling his paper, he went to a sanitarium in Kansas for medical care.
when the end was near, he wanted to go back to Santa Fe and die there. By
most accounts, Max died at his home on October 13, 1909. 

 


CHOICE MAGAZINE LISTENING


 

Choice Magazine Listening (CML) is a free audio magazine for adults with
impaired vision or other disability. Four times a year, listeners receive 12
hours of great writing, chosen from over 100 of the finest magazines by
CML's team of editors. These quarterly issues feature stories, poems and
articles from publications such as National Geographic, The New Yorker,
Time, Vanity Fair, Harper's, Smithsonian, Sports Illustrated, Southern
Living, Oxford American, and Texas Monthly. All CML's selections are
wonderfully read by some of America's top audiobook narrators.

For more than half a century, CML has been proud to serve adults with
conditions that make it difficult to read standard print or to hold a
magazine. Listeners love the mix of interesting, entertaining and amusing
pieces they receive as a download or on a digital cartridge (easily
returnable in the postage-free mailer it arrived in). This quarterly service
is completely free of charge due to the support of a charitable foundation
established to ensure that all Americans could enjoy the best writing from
leading magazines. CML's tens of thousands of subscribers include those with
conditions such as low vision, macular degeneration, blindness, MS,
diabetes, cerebral palsy, ALS, dyslexia, and Parkinson's.

If someone you know would enjoy this free service, please call
1-888-724-6423 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time to find out
more. Your call will be answered by a friendly person happy to help--not a
machine. Further information is available on CML's website, too. Please
visit www.choicemagazinelistening.org.

 

NONVISUAL ACCESS TO THE ABSENTEE BALLOT:
A GOAL WORTH ACHIEVING
by Curtis Chong

 

The Help America Vote Act, called HAVA, has made it possible for blind
voters across the country to cast a ballot that is truly secret for the very
first time in history. Say what you will about the sometimes deplorable
state of the so-called accessible voting equipment that some of us have had
to use to mark our ballots, the fact is that because of this equipment, we
could and often did vote secretly and independently.

 

I think that it is fair to say that the expectations of the organized blind
grow as circumstances change. I can remember a time before HAVA when we, the
National Federation of the Blind, were pushing to incorporate provisions
into the voting rights act that would enable blind voters to mark their
ballot using a sighted person of his/her own choosing. Now that we have
HAVA, we are beginning to take for granted that we will have independent
access to the ballot at the polls and that we will be able to cast a truly
secret ballot using voting equipment that is nonvisually accessible.

 

During the first few years after HAVA, the federal government pumped quite a
bit of money and manpower into helping the states to implement accessible
voting systems. HAVA authorized $3.9 billion in grants to the states so they
could replace outdated lever voting machines by January 1, 2006. However,
since then, the federal money and emphasis seem to have diminished
considerably, and the states are, effectively, left to their own devices. If
you are interested in the details of this problem, refer to the March
edition of the Braille Monitor and read an article entitled The Troubled
State of Accessible Voting by Lou Ann Blake, who is our HAVA Project Manager
in the Jernigan Institute.

 

Here in New Mexico, we do have an accessible voting system of sorts. A blind
voter who is sufficiently determined and motivated can use this system to
cast a truly secret ballot. Blind voters who are less determined either
bring a sighted person with them to help them to mark the ballot at the
polling location or they choose to use an absentee ballot which, in today's
world, is not a truly secret ballot. The absentee ballot is a printed
ballot, and one must necessarily rely upon a sighted person to mark it.

 

This is the current state of affairs in the world of voting--at least as far
as we, the blind are concerned. But what about the future? As I said
earlier, expectations grow as circumstances change.

 

Last fall, for the very first time, voters in the state of Maryland obtained
independent and secure access to the printed absentee ballot, which they
could fill out and print from the comfort of their own homes. Here is how
the process worked.

 

A registered voter obtained an ID and a password, identifying him or her
through the state-issued identification card. Using this ID and password,
the voter logged into the system when voting opened, filled out an
accessible online ballot, and requested the information to be consolidated
into a document that was downloaded and printed on the voter's own computer.
The voter then mailed the document in as an absentee ballot. Now, if that
isn't independent access to the absentee ballot, I don't know what is. And
this would never have happened without the persistent and innovative effort
of our own organization, the National Federation of the Blind. I am told
that more than 1,800 people took advantage of the accessible online
ballot-marking tool in Maryland.

 

At our 2015 convention, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
unanimously adopted Resolution 2015-01. This resolution declares that the
time has come for the absentee ballot to be accessible to the blind of New
Mexico and for the state of New Mexico to have an accessible online
ballot-marking tool of its own. It also calls upon the Governor, the New
Mexico State Legislature, the Secretary of State, and the New Mexico
Commission for the Blind to work with the National Federation of the Blind
of New Mexico and other interested parties to design and implement an
accessible online ballot-marking tool in the state of New Mexico that offers
voters who are blind full and secure access to the absentee ballot and
serves as a model of nonvisual access to the nation. Through this
resolution, the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico has committed
to embark on what promises to be a long and difficult journey--a journey
which will ultimately result in our having full, secure, and independent
access to the printed absentee ballot. I, for one, am excited to begin this
journey. Independent access to the printed absentee ballot is a goal that is
certainly worthy of our dedication, our time, and our creative effort.

 


DON BURNS AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE


by Nancy Burns

 

During the 2014 White Cane Banquet in Albuquerque, Police Chief Gordon Eden
agreed to the creation of a video explaining the White Cane Law, to be shown
to rookie officers. Don, co-chair of the White Cane Committee and the person
who arranged for the Police Chief to attend the banquet, was the
spokesperson on the video. Because of scheduling problems, the video was not
created until March 12, 2015. During this meeting Don went through the law
in detail, outlining how it was first passed in New Mexico as the result of
efforts on the part of President Lynden Johnson and New Mexico Governor
David Cargo. This was a bipartisan effort and was the beginning of annual
acknowledgements by the President, most governors, and many local mayors. 

 

The National Federation of the Blind has perpetuated the annual observation
of this important law. October 15 has been designated as White Cane Safety
Day, and numerous programs throughout the country describe how the law
protects the rights of a blind person using either a white cane or guide dog
as they traverse public streets. It also protects the right of such
individuals seeking entrance to restaurants or other public facilities. 

 

The video will not only be shown to officers in training but will also be
seen in all substations, twice a month. Chief Eden is also supportive of us
and our concerns about quiet cars. Another issue addressed is the lack of a
question about the white cane in the current drivers' manual. He has agreed
to work with us and to resolve the lack of information in the manual.

 

The following people accompanied Police Chief Eden to this meeting: Major
Tim Gonterman; Troy Simpson, APD media services coordinator; Celina
Espinoza, Communications and Community Outreach Director; and Officer Tanner
Tixier, Public Information Officer. 

 

 

KNIFE SAFETY
by Coby Livingstone, MA, OTR/L, CVRT

 

Coby is in private practice in Santa Fe, NM. Her company, Low Vision
Rehabilitation in New Mexico, welcomes questions and comments at
505.259.3672. 

 

Gail Beard is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the VA Center
in Biloxi, MS. She posted a wonderful response to a question on my listserv,
and she has agreed to allow me to adapt the information to prepare this
article.

 

Best Practice VRT Technique

I suspect that each school which has trained CVRT's has similar and
distinctive techniques for teaching consumers how to use knives safely.
These are my thoughts following my education at Western Michigan University.
The knives need to be stored in an organized drawer; I recommend a plastic
organizer tray and knife sleeves if possible. I was taught to place the
object to be cut on a cutting board that is stable. Hold the tomato, for
example, in one hand and curl your finger tips on top of the tomato. Then
bring the vertical blade to the edge of your fingertips and pres down on the
tomato for a safe cut. Continue as needed.

 

Adapted techniques for cutting: use a wood cutting board with a galvanized
nail through it. Push the potato, tomato or other item to be cut down on the
nail to stabilize it and then use the above cutting technique to slice the
vegetable/fruit.

 

Some of the commercial catalogs also sell silicone finger tip protectors
that are useful for some consumers when they start out learning to slice and
dice as someone with a visual impairment or blindness.

 

Dull Knives 
A dull knife is more dangerous than a paper-cutting sharp knife. The dull
knife is harder to cut with and one has to apply more pressure to make it
cut. At times, the knife will not behave as you expect, and you increase the
possibility of getting a cut. 



Determine the quality of the cutting blade by looking at the edge under a
very bright light. If the blade reflects light, then it is dull. When the
blade is sharp, the blade will show up as a black line. The second way to
determine the sharp edge is to use the "paper cutting test." Hold the
re-cycled utility bill in your hand and place the knife on the edge of the
paper . does it slice it in two or bend the paper?

 

The counter top knife sharpeners work well for most home kitchens. I've used
knife/scissor sharpening companies that come to my home, or I deliver my
pile of knives and shears to them. It is worth the cost to have tools that
work safely and efficiently.

 

Gail says the following: It is my experience that you should choose the
knife that is suited to the task at hand. If you are trying to cut a roast,
you would not use a paring knife, you would use a chef's knife, for example.
For bread, depending on the size of the loaf, a long serrated knife would be
needed.

Here are Gail's helpful hints on knife use, from  <http://simplebits.net/>
simplebits.net.


Paring Knife:

This is described as a short knife, with a blade between 2-4 inches. Handy
for dozens of small, delicate tasks throughout the day such as peeling
garlic,
trimming mushrooms, and slicing small fruits like strawberries.

Utility Knife 
This knife is a medium-sized all-purpose knife, with a blade generally 6-8
inches long. Ideal for common kitchen functions such as cutting cheese,
chopping fruit and vegetables, and slicing fish.

For the Full Throttle Chef 
A larger all-purpose knife, with an 8-14 inch blade. Considered the
quintessential kitchen knife for general tasks, this knife is useful for
making classic cuts such as julienne, dice and fine chop, and can be used
for fruits, vegetables, meats and fish. Once you are comfortable with a
chef knife's size and weight, it can be used for a wide variety of
kitchen tasks from chopping delicate herbs to shredding a head of
cabbage.

Serrated Knife
Most commonly known as a bread knife, the serrated slicer also works
best for foods with a tender center but a firmer "crust," such as a
tomato or a ripe melon. The wavy blade allows controlled cuts that slice
through the outer edge with ease but do not crush the interior. Be
sure to reach for this knife to cut and serve delicate desserts with
flaky pastry or meringue.

Santoku 
This multi-purpose knife of Japanese design is perfect for slicing,
dicing and mincing vegetables. Can be used as an alternative to the
chef's knife and is popular for those with small hands or anyone who
finds a chef's knife overly heavy. I love my MAC for thinly slicing fish
and for that dreaded task of chopping onions.

Boning Knife
A very sharp, thin bladed knife used for trimming fat and carving meat
off of bones. Usually 5-7 inches long, the blade may be flexible or
rigid.

Ultimately, you should feel comfortable with the knife you are using,
but don't expect to without sufficient practice. Most of the chefs have been
using a chef's knife for a long, long time and are capable of comfortably
performing nearly every kitchen task with it in hand. For the home cook, I
recommend using each knife for it's appropriate task
and taking the time to practice knife skills.

Now remember, keep those knives sharp!

 

 


GOOD EATING


 

Chile Con Queso

 

Submitted by Veronica Smith

 

It is that time of the year, time for partying. A huge favorite of mine is
Chile Con Queso. I know there are a thousand ways to make it, but this is my
favorite and most enjoyed by everyone who tries it!

 

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can milk

8 ounces chopped green chile, more if you'd like

10 ounces Velveeta cheese

 

Put all ingredients in a slow cooker. Set the slow cooker on high and stir
constantly until everything begins to melt together. Turn to low, cover and
let it continue to melt for another 30 minutes or so. Remove lid and stir.
When it is all melted together, dish out some of your favorite corn chips
and pour generous amounts over them. My family also loves to pour this
cheesy delight over burgers.

 

Happy partying!

 


USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES


 

1-800-936-5900 

This is the Microsoft Disability Help Line. If you are blind, have low
vision, or have another disability, call this number for assistance with
problems with your computer. I did this recently, and they helped me with a
pesky problem I had on startup. 

 

 <http://www.nfbpickup.org> www.nfbpickup.org 

Go here to donate clothing and household items to the NFB.

 

 <http://www.nfb.org> www.nfb.org or call 1-410-659-9314 

Go here to order your free white cane and/or free slate and stylus.

 

1-855-787-2227 

We are now in the busy travel season. Call this number and you will get the
Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). You will be greeted by TSA
Cares. This is a hotline for disabled passengers who may have special needs
such as if you are carrying diabetic supplies, oxygen, or other items that
could cause a delay in your boarding. Call at least 72 hours before your
flight.

 

 


MEETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


 

June 19: The NM State Rehabilitation Council will meet at 9:00 AM at the
Albuquerque office of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind at 2200 Yale
Blvd. SE.

 

July 5-10: The Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind
will be held in Orlando, Florida. This is NFB's 75th anniversary. 

 

August 26: The Commissioners of the Commission for the Blind will meet at
the Albuquerque office located at 2200 Yale Blvd. SE. The meeting begins at
9:00 AM.

 

September 12: NM State Fair Parade 

 

October 15: National White Cane Safety Day