[nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: Apersonal reportfrom ChairmanGordon Gund

John Heim john at johnheim.net
Sat Apr 23 22:00:01 UTC 2011


I get that you don't miss being able to see because you never could see. But 
let me ask you this... Wouldn't you like to be able to drive? Now, I've 
never been able to drive but I recognize what a convenience it is.  You 
probably use a cane, right? Surely you must recognize how much easier it is 
for sighted people to get from point A to point B. Surely you must realize 
how easy it is for them to find things they've dropped?

So these are just things that are made easier with sight by the nature of 
the universe. But there are also a lot of things that are made easier 
because our world is built for sighted people. Examples of this are reading, 
using computers and playing sports. Sighted people can drop a few coins into 
a box and get a newspaper to read on the bus. They can drop into a bookstore 
and get any book they want immediately. They can glance at a bank statement 
and then throw it into the trash. You've never used a computer without a 
screen reader but I know for certain that it is way easier to use a computer 
by sight. And there a lot of really excellent sports that aren't practical 
for a blind person. My favorite was volleyball. I would love to be able to 
play volleyball again.

Now, don't assume that I'm sitting here pining away for my vision. Nothing 
could be further from the truth. Its just that its only sensible to 
acknowledge that life is easier if you can see.
Look, why do you think vision evolved on this planet? Everything from worms 
to humas has sight. Sight works. Its a huge advantage. Maybe you don't 
believe in evolution. So why do you think God gave everything from worms to 
people sight?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Constance Canode" <satin-bear at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: Apersonal reportfrom ChairmanGordon 
Gund


> Brian, it is pointless to debate you because you and I will never agree on 
> anything other than the fact that we are both human beings, so I am 
> stopping this before it gets started.  I have always disagreed with both 
> you and John and nothing that any of us could ever say will change that.
> At 10:19 PM 4/22/2011, you wrote:
>>yea, and i have ocean front property in kansas to sell you.
>>
>>Bryan Schulz
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Constance Canode" 
>><satin-bear at sbcglobal.net>
>>To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 9:51 PM
>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: Apersonal reportfrom ChairmanGordon 
>>Gund
>>
>>
>>>If someone came up to me today and said they could give me full sight, I 
>>>would tell them unequivocally to get lost.  I am a well-adjusted person 
>>>and I have lived my life in a happy and secure manner, I work, own a home 
>>>and am happily married.  I have done everything I want to do as a blind 
>>>person, travel, shop, etc.  The part of the brain that knows how to see 
>>>has never worked on those of us who have never seen anything and it would 
>>>be a tremendous aadjustment, the same as a sighted person losing their 
>>>vision all at once.  Besides, they are not restoring what you have never 
>>>had...sight. What a shock it would be to see a car coming towards you or 
>>>your own face.  I have always joked that my face would probably be a 
>>>disappointment, another reason that makeup has always been a priority for 
>>>me.
>>>At 03:45 PM 4/22/2011, you wrote:
>>>>I'm  uncertain as to what you mean.  I said I'd rather not be blind. Are 
>>>>you saying you prefer to be blind?
>>>>
>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Whipple" 
>>>><ladygloria at webband.com>
>>>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 3:25 PM
>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: Apersonal reportfrom 
>>>>ChairmanGordon Gund
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>To each his own!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Gloria Whipple
>>>>>Corresponding Secretary
>>>>>Inland Empire chapter
>>>>>nfb of WA
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>>>>On
>>>>>Behalf Of John Heim
>>>>>Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 12:54
>>>>>To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal reportfrom 
>>>>>ChairmanGordon
>>>>>Gund
>>>>>
>>>>>Yes, Gloria, call me crazy but I'd prefer not to be blind.  Thanks for
>>>>>caring though.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Whipple" 
>>>>><ladygloria at webband.com>
>>>>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 11:11 AM
>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal reportfrom 
>>>>>ChairmanGordon
>>>>>Gund
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>Bull. Are you in that category? I feel for you if you are.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Sure it would be nice if sight could be given to those who want it, 
>>>>>>but it
>>>>>>isn't the end of the world!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Gloria Whipple
>>>>>>Corresponding Secretary
>>>>>>Inland Empire chapter
>>>>>>nfb of WA
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>>>>>On
>>>>>>Behalf Of John Heim
>>>>>>Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 07:02
>>>>>>To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
>>>>>>ChairmanGordon
>>>>>>Gund
>>>>>>
>>>>>>A lot of people don't like being blind. In fact, I would say that most
>>>>>>people who are blind would prefer not to be blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Gloria Whipple" 
>>>>>><ladygloria at webband.com>
>>>>>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:19 PM
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
>>>>>>ChairmanGordon
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Gund
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>What in the heck is wrong with being blind!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Gloria Whipple
>>>>>>>Corresponding Secretary
>>>>>>>Inland Empire chapter
>>>>>>>nfb of WA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>>>>>>>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>>Behalf Of S Baker
>>>>>>>Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 14:14
>>>>>>>To: AMoLList
>>>>>>>Subject: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from Chairman 
>>>>>>>Gordon
>>>>>>>Gund
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>SRBaker
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:00:24 -0500
>>>>>>>From: GGund at FightBlindness.org
>>>>>>>To: srbaker at charter.net
>>>>>>>Subject: A personal report from Chairman Gordon Gund
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Like you, Steven, I follow the work of the Foundation Fighting 
>>>>>>>Blindness
>>>>>>>closely. As a donor, I want to know that my donations make a 
>>>>>>>difference.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>And believe me, they do.  When I reflect on the last year and listen 
>>>>>>>to
>>>>>>>this
>>>>>>>video, I am reminded that we have more clinical trials for 
>>>>>>>sight-saving
>>>>>>>treatments underway than ever before.  Clearly, hope and optimism are
>>>>>>>running high.  Incredible strides have been made in the last few 
>>>>>>>years,
>>>>>>>and
>>>>>>>these remarkable advances would not have been made without your 
>>>>>>>support
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>the Foundation. They include:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Vision Restored.  We are continuing to build on remarkable gains in 
>>>>>>>gene
>>>>>>>therapy.  As you may recall, in a Foundation-funded trial, 9-year-old
>>>>>>>Corey
>>>>>>>Haas and 19 others received a gene therapy treatment and can now see.
>>>>>>>And
>>>>>>>as the trial has expanded, participants have shown sustained 
>>>>>>>improvement
>>>>>>>in
>>>>>>>vision.  Building on this success, similar gene therapy treatments 
>>>>>>>are
>>>>>>>moving into clinical trials for choroideremia, Stargardt disease and
>>>>>>>Usher
>>>>>>>syndrome.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Innovative Technology.  The high-tech industry has a treatment I'm
>>>>>>>incredibly excited about-- the world's first commercially available
>>>>>>>artificial or "bionic" eye. Early funding from the Foundation was key 
>>>>>>>to
>>>>>>>getting this engineered retina off the ground.  Building on the 
>>>>>>>studies
>>>>>>>we
>>>>>>>funded, the light-sensing, implantable "chip" has been tested in a
>>>>>>>clinical
>>>>>>>trial in Europe with great results. In the study, people who were
>>>>>>>profoundly
>>>>>>>blind experienced improved vision that could help them to be more
>>>>>>>independent.  In fact, many can now see shapes and recognize large
>>>>>>>letters.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Groundbreaking Therapies.  A research team funded by the Foundation
>>>>>>>Fighting
>>>>>>>Blindness developed an innovative technique for correcting the
>>>>>>>disease-causing gene by using stem cells derived from a person's 
>>>>>>>skin.
>>>>>>>While
>>>>>>>more work is needed to ensure safety, this advancement suggests that
>>>>>>>doctors
>>>>>>>may someday be able to treat a patient's retinal disease using their 
>>>>>>>own
>>>>>>>skin cells.
>>>>>>>These few accomplishments barely begin to tell the story of all the
>>>>>>>progress
>>>>>>>that's being made.  And this is why words can never express my 
>>>>>>>personal
>>>>>>>gratitude for your passionate and committed support.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I hope you will take a few minutes to watch the video and see the 
>>>>>>>results
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>>your support and the hope it has generated. But most importantly, I 
>>>>>>>hope
>>>>>>>you
>>>>>>>will see that research is progressing at a terrific rate.  It's been 
>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>long
>>>>>>>time coming, but we crossed a critical threshold when our researchers
>>>>>>>actually restored sight. It launched us into a new era when more and 
>>>>>>>more
>>>>>>>people will have their sight saved or restored every year.  A lot of 
>>>>>>>work
>>>>>>>remains.  But we'll get there by continuing to work together.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>The Foundation Fighting Blindness values the support you give us by
>>>>>>>donating, talking to your friends, and advocating for increased 
>>>>>>>research
>>>>>>>funding.  As we continue our relentless pursuit to eradicate 
>>>>>>>blindness,
>>>>>>>we
>>>>>>>hope you will continue your steadfast support of our mission. Thanks 
>>>>>>>for
>>>>>>>envisioning a bright future for the millions affected by retinal
>>>>>>>degenerative diseases.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Sincerely,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Gordon Gund
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Check us out on:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Tell a Friend  |  Subscribe  |  Change email address  |  Unsubscribe
>>>>>>>Foundation Fighting Blindness
>>>>>>>www.FightBlindness.org
>>>>>>>7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100
>>>>>>>Columbia, MD 21046
>>>>>>>1-800-683-5555
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>nonprofit software
>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/ladygloria%40webba
>>>>>>>nd.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.ne
>>>>>>t
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/ladygloria%40webba
>>>>>>nd.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.ne
>>>>>t
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/ladygloria%40webba
>>>>>nd.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>>nfb-talk:
>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/satin-bear%40sbcglobal.net
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>nfb-talk:
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/b.schulz%40sbcglobal.net
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>nfb-talk:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/satin-bear%40sbcglobal.net
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nfb-talk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/john%40johnheim.net
> 





More information about the nFB-Talk mailing list