[NFB-Muslims] Introduction

[Tas A]

I am so glad that you are joining us! Welcome to the group! We look forward to having you and working together.

Tasnim Alshuli, M.A. 

> On May 20, 2021, at 8:06 AM, Kristopher Idrees Crawley via NFB-Muslims <nfb-muslims at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
> My name is Kristopher Idrees Crawley, Idrees to my brothers and sisters in Islam. I recently joined the group and wanted to give a quick introduction.
> I was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy and Rod-Cone Dystrophy at the age of 3, mostly because they did not understand my condition. I began learning Braille in 2nd grade and was a speed reader by the end of the year. I was not allowed to use my Braille skills in class because the teachers wanted me to look as “normal” as possible. I was forced to strain my eyes to read large print and miss days of school each month due to the headaches associated with the eye strain.
> I never had great vision and would get very sick if I tried to use my eyes for anything. Almost 10 years ago I began losing the rest of my vision as expected. I decided to attend a training center for the blind and I had the opportunity to train under one of the top O&M instructors in the country while attending an immersion program. Obviously, it changed my life for the better.
> I have been involved in blindness rehabilitation agencies in 3 states as either a consumer or employee. Unfortunately, I decided to step away from state-run rehabilitation agencies due to the lack of knowledge, limitations, and negative views of blindness, and blind individuals held by staff at the highest levels of the agencies I worked with.
> I eventually started my own business that focuses on Assistive Technology training, entrepreneurship, professional development, and independent living skills. Rehabilitation (and specifically teaching) is a passion of mine. I feel that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) blessed me with the skills and experiences to give back to the blind community, and that is what I plan to do, however I can.
> I was guided to Islam (AlHamdulillah!) only a few months after completing my program. I wanted to find other blind Muslims and figure out a way to not only network, but to also bring the message of Islam to the blind and vision impaired community.
> I am happy to find this group, and I look forward to networking and working with you all to enhance and empower the blind community, inshaAllah.
> Please reach out to me and consider me for any projects in the future, inshaAllah.
> I look forward to meeting you all at the next meeting, inshaAllah.
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> Kristopher Idrees Crawley
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