[Nfb-seniors] Robert's response - RE: NFB literature geared toward the senior blind

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Ruth and Lauren 

 

Yes, Ruth. I know Miss Merryfield! She and I were in the same class at NSVH
(Nebraska School for the Visually Impaired). So a longtime friend
relationship. 

 

And I too noticed that what the National office has on seniors. is good, but
could be better. And I'm saying, if we, some of us contribute, it would be
better! I also found, that some/most of the documents of the senior packets
are not available as an accessible download! (I would love to spread some of
that wisdom around to other computer users!) 

 

So hey. let us take a look and see what we've got and where, let's punch it
up! 

Thanks 

 

Respectfully yours,

Robert Leslie Newman

NFBN Senior Division, President

 

From: Lauren Merrifield [mailto:lauren at catlines.com] 
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2018 12:31 AM
To: rsager78 at gmail.com
Cc: 'Robert Leslie Newman' <robertleslienewman at gmail.com>;
lauren at catlines.com
Subject: NFB literature geared toward the senior blind

 

Hi,

This is Lauren Merryfield, currently of Eugene, Oregon. I say currently
because I've been quite a nomad in the last several years. 

 

Robert knows me, from way back in high school. but Ruth, you may not. I'm an
oldie-moldie Federationist who joined back in 1975. I am shocked at how many
years that is. 

 

Through the years, I have had some articles sprinkled in the Braille
Monitor, Future Reflections and the Kernel books. I had thought that at my
age, I'd run out of things to write about, but I'm still going. I am in the
process of writing my third book. The manuscript is nearly ready for
printing.  So the writing bug keeps biting me. 

 

The other day, I was looking through our Independence Market catalog, at
first, for the products, but then, I browsed our current NFB literature. I
noticed that there is quite a lot on the educational and other needs of
blind children, including those with multiple disabilities. I further
noticed that though there was a section on literature for blind seniors, it
was all in print only and in short supply. 

 

I contacted Ellen Ringlein of the Independence Market who acknowledged my
findings. 

 

Because the NFB is a multigenerational movement, and is often referred to as
a "family" I am proposing that we find a way to increase the materials
available to blind seniors, including senior NFB members. I realize that one
reason that the current literature is in print only is that many blind
seniors become blind later in life and most likely do not learn alternative
techniques of blindness wel enough to use other formats. However, there are
NFB members, and other blind seniors out there, who are fluent in braille,
audio and computer-generated information. (I am one of them; I am using my
computer to write this letter.) 

 

So, I am thinking that since I have written articles for the Braille Monitor
previously, it might be interesting and possibly helpful if I were to write
an article geared to seniors who have been blind a long time but who are
confronting issues that come up when one becomes older. I have certainly had
my share of medical and other issues and changes in my life from when I was
a young Federationist. I am certain that I am not alone. 

 

I also want to write about multidisabled blind seniors because that is what
many of us have become or will in the near future. 

 

It may not happen that what I write would make it past the Braille Monitor
into our catalog of available literature, but that would be my aim. 

 

I am also very aware that I am not the only one who could write such an
article. It would be good if several people could write articles and we
could compile them into a packet for blind seniors, their families and
friends, and for fellow Federationists.  

 

We could even collaborate on an article for the Monitor so that it would be
authored by more than one of us. 

 

If I were to write such an article, I would like suggestions, including an
outline, of what all needs to be included in it. I would want to be as
thorough as possible. If I just go off and write something, I might miss
something important. 

 

So what do you guys think about this? I would like to hear your thoughts and
ideas about this possible project and filling in what seems to me to be a
gap in our offered NFB literature.

Thanks,

Lauren Merryfield

 

Blessings in Jesus' name! 


"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or
discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 
Joshua 1:9 


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