[NFB-Lions] Help, need perspective

Wed Nov 4 23:22:41 UTC 2020

Good luck. He may need other help as well. But I hope you like him and it is returned. Somebody from Washington came to an NFB group meeting a few years ago and said they wanted to do concerts for the blind. I asked how many people they expect at  a concert, and they said hundreds. I don't think that went anywhere, but they are clearly looking for something to do. You might talk to the Mackenstadts to see what they know about Lions there. In North Carolina, they have a big fishing derby for the blind, and there are blind people on its planning board. It sounds as though blind people can be as dependent or as independent as they want at the activity. There also used to be a lot of Lions help in Indiana to get blind kids to activities, including NFB conventions. They are not going to give cash directly to an NFB group, but they do sometimes support projects. If there is a sight and hearing foundation, it probably will collect eyes for medical procedures, but it also can provide financial help to buy embossers for a school where needed or even an electronic Brailler. You sort of have to be careful how much to ask for. Most of the clubs around here raise funds for specific projects and do not have a lot extra. Of course, many think that all blind people are poor and want to be served meals, etc. There was a big rift here in the 1970's because somebody wants to build a nature trail for the blind, and the NFBI Pres at the time offended somebody by discouraging it. It should be possible to let them build the trail for the community and add some features that the blind would appreciate. I believe you did that in Florida. So i'll bet you can do something worthwhile. 

RamonaOn Nov 4, 2020 10:25 AM, Judy Jones via NFB-Lions <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Ramona,
>
> Thanks so much for writing in.  You are right on!
>
> We have started with the small Sedro-Woolley Lions club in our area, and they have been accepting.
>
> What I hear you say is to work with each individual who comes across your path.
>
> You must have read my mind, as I have planned to call the one who needs help with his clock.  He does not live in the area, but I have some ideas on how to help, if he is open.
>
> Thanks so much for your wisdom and for writing in.
>
> Judy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFB-Lions <nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ramona via NFB-Lions
> Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:51 AM
> To: Milton via NFB-Lions <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Ramona <walhoframona at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NFB-Lions] Help, need perspective
>
> Judy and Chris, I am no longer a Lion, and there is no Knights for the or of the Blind committee in the main part of Iado I was a member for 15 years or so. I joined a club which has since disbanded, but I was able to get them to accept me as a regular Lion. I did all kinds of work: prepared food; set up tables; cashiered; planned programs, chaired projects, held office, and helped them learn about projects that really helped the blind. One year the Lions funded the Gding Summer Camp and several worked there. They also helped with the winter camp in the Wood River Valley area. Etc. If there is a local club to join, I think you may want to start to doing that. See if you can't win the members. Some zthe club members may be quite ready to accept you. If Knights of the Blind committees are established in some states, you are not going to be able to change that rapidly. There have been several District Governors who are blind in several parts of the country. I know of some who were members of the Federation and some who were not. But I think they really did their work and were accepted. I also know of two blind people who were international Directors. Of course, there are some blind people who will be glad for help with anything. And there are some Lions who agree that they need it. If you can make friends with the guy who is just now losing vision, it might be a good idea. You  know that most newly blind people need to make an adjustment. You never know how far they will go until you try. If he sees what you do, he may wish to do some of the same. If you offer to help him learn to use the computer with voice, he may really want to. Of course, some day we have to believe we can have face to face contact. Then you can offer to feed him. I cannot count the number of people who had their expectations raised to visiting with other blind people. I feel certain you will just get people not to like you by challenging what they are thinking as a starting point. You know the old hymn: You bring the one next to you; I'll take  the one next to me. In no time at all; we'll have them all. We'll win them, win them, one by one. 
> As you know, I am trying to cut down at age 76, but I think my time with the Lions was well spent, both in community service and educating the Lions about blindness. I once had a district government in Twin Falls thank me profoundly for coming to see him and show him that preventing blindness and helping blind people are two different things. Most Lions programs and budgets tend to put those two things together. Some know better, but not all yet. 
> There is a lot to do if you have the energy and use charm. 
> RamonaOn Nov 4, 2020 7:17 AM, Milton via NFB-Lions <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Judy,
> >
> > This is what I have noticed in general with many blind folks, especially the older population, they want everything on the spoon (meaning that if they can get it for free they will take it). I just wonder how much those other blind people participate in the activities of their clubs and how much to do they contribute to their clubh when there is a fundraiser.
> >
> > I do pay my full dues when I'm billed and pay fines when the tailtwister getsme for something, and contribute time andenergy for projects and activities when time permits. I also contribute when there is a fundraiser as well.
> >
> > If you and your husband don't feel comfortable with this group of Knights of the Blind, I just wonder if it is worth your time.
> >
> > Like me, I was asked to serve on the District Governors Cabinet and learnmore about how the District functions, and almost 6 years ago, there was a vacancy on the North Dakota Lions Foundation and the Folks on the cabinet asked me if I wanted to sit on it. I just needed the approval of the club president and she was there and was all for it.Currently I'm on my sixth year of a 2 - 3year term on the foundation and will be getting off thefoundation for 1 year. Travelling to these meeting has not been a problem and I have always had a Lion offer a ride when needed.
> >
> > So, find your place with Lions and run with it and you will learn a great deal about Lionism.
> >
> > Talk with Milt Taylor, he has been a District Governor and currently is the Multi-District Council Chair in Utah.
> >
> > I have been asked to consider to run for the District Governor here in North Dakota but have declined due to my health. Also, my wife is not a Lion and does't care to join.
> >
> > Lion Milton
> >    
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: NFB-Lions <nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Judy Jones via NFB-Lions
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 3, 2020 11:18 PM
> > To: 'NFB and Lions' <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
> > Subject: [NFB-Lions] Help, need perspective
> >
> > Hi, All,
> >
> > My husband, Chris, and I are considering joining our local Lions club.
> >
> > We have been asked to be part of our multi-district 19 newly-forming Knights Of The Blind committee.
> >
> > We like the idea of being blind members to assist our local club, and in especially reaching out to the blind in our area.
> >
> > What we’re finding, though, is a committee made up of people whose philosophy differs radically from ours, concerning blindness.
> >
> > We’ve been telling ourselves that, although our philosophies don’t jive, the commonality of serving together should unite us.
> >
> > We live in a semi-rural area in northern Washington, so not many blind people around and the MD-19 goes clear up into Canada, and over into parts of Idaho, so comprises a lot of territory and a lot of people.  We also belong to the state’s NFB at-large chapter as there are no chapters in our area.
> >
> > The WCB has prospered, also in our county, and we are the only two NFB members on the committee.
> >
> > We’ve become good friends with two of the couples in the WCB, but we live in different hemispheres in the way we think about blindness and the way we do life.
> >
> > The founder of this Knights Of The Blind committee is a very knowledgeable and experienced Lion, but is losing his vision, can’t read his e-mails, can’t change his talking clock from Daylight Savings Time, and not interested in any empowerment.  Of course that is his business, but just setting the ambience.
> >
> > The committee is mainly made up of blind members who are satisfied with “visually impaired” and “blind.”
> >
> > Chris and I had this discussion on how we would set the tone for blindness, that blind is blind, as people who are legally blind are, in fact, blind, that we are responsible for setting the tone for our clubs in which we serve.
> >
> > The rest of the committee disagreed with us, so we understand we are in the minority, but feel that we still can serve together.
> >
> > On tonight’s call, we had a guest speaker, familiar with Knights Of The Blind committees, and states that it is imperative to teach Lions the difference between blind and visually impaired.
> >
> > She goes on further to describe her visual impairment, that she doesn’t use a cane that her husband is her seeing eye dog.
> >
> > She talks about approaching the blind of the community, asking what they would need, what they would like to do, then proceeds to organize the projects.  These are all things done FOR the blind, because the general premise is that they don’t get out, so these planned projects are those that help them get out in public.
> >
> > She also states that for events with paid tickets, the blind individuals are not charged full admission, that the Lions pick up the tab.
> >
> > The more Chris and I are listening to this, the more uncomfortable we are feeling.  The rest of the committee is buying all this hook, line, and sinker.
> >
> > I think the problem Chris and I have is in the philosophy permeating this committee.
> >
> > We have been with the NFB since 1980, and any, have been mostly around blind folks who just do life. 
> >
> > I told Chris about this list, and we both feel, that, before saying anything to the committee, we need some perspective from experienced Lions who are in the NFB.
> >
> > We are just feeling very disappointed coming off the committee call tonight, but we don’t want to let wrong attitudes get in our way of serving.
> >
> > We are on the cusp of joining Lions, but giving it a second thought, and welcome questions, advice and perspective.
> >
> > My husband is suggesting a call, if anyone is interested, and we do have a freeconferencecall.com account we could use.
> >
> > Thanks a ton.
> >
> > Chris will also be subscribing to the nfb-lions list.
> >
> > Judy
> >
> > 🌄 (sunrise over mountains)
> >
> > “embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.”
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > NFB-Lions mailing list
> > NFB-Lions at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Lions:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org/mota1252%40gmail.com
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > NFB-Lions mailing list
> > NFB-Lions at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Lions:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org/walhoframona%40gmail.com
> _______________________________________________
> NFB-Lions mailing list
> NFB-Lions at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Lions:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org/sonshines59%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> NFB-Lions mailing list
> NFB-Lions at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB-Lions:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-lions_nfbnet.org/walhoframona%40gmail.com