[Nfbf-l] statue at capitol with Braille Plaque

[elizabeth McNally]

I am doing as requested.

 

I would like you to forward this e-mail around Florida and the nation.

I want the blind to know about Michael D. Jernigan and the Officer Down
statue that I dreamed up at the 2006 State Legislature. After missing the
"Officer Down Memorial" in the courtyard of the capitol many times I gave
the issue serious thought. And decided that the memorial needed an attention
getting mechanism.

I thought an officer down, with a female officer holding him, radioing for
help was the right idea. I presented it to all the capitol police and other
visiting the legislator police. The all liked the idea and urged me on. I
asked Michael if he was interested in the project and he liked it
immediately.

He asked two capitol police to pose for many pictures on the 22nd floor,
which also has no restrooms for people in wheelchairs. This floor is where
banquets are held and is well window lighted. The first batch of photos
didn't capture what I wanted. They did it again and we had the right photo
pose that I wanted.

The costs were calculated, and it was about $225,000. Michael got Senator
Crist to do a Senate Resolution to support the project, and designate us to
raise the money in care of the Florida Paraplegic Assoc. and I did the
initial ground work with Management Services. I am not a money raiser and
told the artist and sculptor, that I was striking out. And along came
Riveria who I had also written to. He jumped at the idea and the rest is
history. Project paid for. And to be unveiled at the next legislative
session.

Michael, then came up with an idea to do a minature of the statue, with the
plaque that will read as follows. Michael, hit a home run, in making sure
that the blind would not be left out.

On March 9, the statue is scheduled to be unveiled. So forward this
everywhere, so the blind will know that they too, can participate in the
memorial. And the unveiling of the project.

I am very proud of Michael and his thoughtfulness. I don't know where this
project ranks among his resume of accomplishments, but I suspect is is very
high.

In 1974 we fought for legislation that included the blind. In 1975 I took on
the dean of the house, the chairman of the tax and finance committee to pass
a tax break bill for people in wheelchairs and the blind. When the dust
settled, that bill was passed. The statue ranks just as high with me.

Denny R.Wood, President

Florida Paraplegic Association, Inc.

Others

----- Original Message -----

From: Michael D. Jernigan < <mailto:mdjernigan at portraitsculpture.com>
mailto:mdjernigan at portraitsculpture.com>

To: 'denny wood' < <mailto:dignity4 at netscape.com>
mailto:dignity4 at netscape.com>

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 4:01 PM

Subject: RE: blind project

 

 

This was my original idea and I'm funding it. It will have both Braille and
raised lettering in 18 point arial type just underneath the maquette
sculpture. Here's the text:

"Officer Down"

By Michael D. Jernigan, Sculptor

"This memorial is dedicated to all the brave men and women who have given

their lives so that others may live in freedom and safety. It is a tribute
to all

our everyday heroes who valiantly protect us and are willing to make the

ultimate sacrifice. May this be the last officer down this society ever
sees."

John Rivera, President

Florida Police Benevolent Association

March 9, 2009

Copies of this maquette are available at
<outbind://5/www.portraitsculpture.com> www.portraitsculpture.com

Michael Jernigan

Sculptor

803 Middlebrooks Circle

Tallahassee, Fl 32312

(850) 877-4332

mdjernigan at portraitsculpture.com

 <outbind://5/www.portraitsculpture.com> www.portraitsculpture.com

________________________________

From: denny wood [ <mailto:dignity4 at netscape.com>
mailto:dignity4 at netscape.com]

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 12:23 PM

To: MICHAEL D. JERNIGAN

Subject: blind project

Michael, 

Refresh my memory. This blind project is a marque, a small version of the
large version so that the blind can feel the marque.

What is the braille for? Most blind cannot read braille but they can read
raised letters.

Was this an origional idea or did you see this somewhere else?

Denny

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