[Nfbf-l] NFBF-Parents President

Wed May 6 22:59:53 UTC 2009

Hello Sherrill, 

Thank you so much for your kind words! You're right, I don't think we have formally met. You probably haven't
formally met Eric either, but you would remember him as the boy everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to during 
general session last year here in Jacksonville. Joe, Gina and Debby are indeed great mentors. Debby has
done a tremendous job with the Parents Division and I am looking forward to continuing as well as expanding
the division. Of course, I still must be elected, but I am "visualizing" my goal and thinking positive. I too look 
forward to meeting and getting to know everyone and their families.

Have a great evening!

Lenora Marten
NFB-Greater Jacksonville Chapter Secretary
NFBF-Parents board member
bluegolfshoes at aol.com 
904-229-9554

-----Original Message-----
From: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
To: NFB of Florida Listserv <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tue, 5 May 2009 11:00 am
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] NFBF-Parents President

Hello Lenora,
I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you at past state conventions, 
ut I just had to write and tell you what an inspiring letter you have written!  
our family has gone through so much uncertainty  and frustration, mainly caused 
y ophthamologists who are notoriously ignorant and/or uncaring about blindness.  
hey simply want to fix the eye problem, and when they can't, most of them give 
o wise counsel or referals.  Your letter is of the sort that makes me proud to 
e a member of the NFB!=2
0 I'm so glad you were introduced to the NFB through Joe, 
ina, Debby and the Parents Division.  You have indeed found great mentors.
I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say we're looking forward to meeting 
nd getting to know you  and your family!
Sherrill O'Brien
FBF Board Member
ampa Bay Chapter Vice President

----Original Message-----
rom: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
ehalf Of Lenora J. Marten
ent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 10:26 AM
o: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
ubject: [Nfbf-l] NFBF-Parents President

I am announcing my candidacy for President of the National Federation of the 
lind Florida Parents Division. I was saddened by President Debbie Brackett’s 
ecision to step down. She has been a dedicated advocate for blind children and 
entor to parents. As the parent of two blind children and sibling to another, I 
elieve I have the ability and knowledge to develop our Parents Division into 
FB’s finest!

When I took my oldest son for a check-up, I mentioned to our pediatrician that 
e was not focusing properly. He referred us to an ophthalmologist and after 
everal tests; Jon’s blindness was diagnosed with bi-lateral optic nerve 
ypoplasia. It was explained that his optic nerves stopped growing before they 
ere fully developed. We were told that this condition was not genetic, but 
ighly unusual that it occurred in both eyes. We weren’t referred to 
arly-childhood intervention services. We weren’t referred to a parent group. We 
eren’t20given books, brochures or a list of references. We were just sent home. 

Like most parents faced with blindness, I was devastated and scared. But, I was 
etermined. The first thing I did was call my brother who referred me to our 
ocal NFB chapter who in turn referred me to Foundation for Blind Children. We 
ere able to meet some local parents and Jon was able to meet some kids just 
ike him. 

Seven years later when Eric came along, we thought we were safe. We had been 
old Jon’s problem wa
 not genetic. We had been told Allan’s problem was not genetic and completely 
nrelated to Jon’s. It was clear to us as Eric grew that he had vision problems. 
e had trouble focusing, his eyes moved like windshield wipers, he didn’t 
ecognize people and ran into things. We went through almost 5 years of doctors 
nd tests with every one of them telling us he could see. One doctor, a 
ediatric neuro-ophthalmologist, assured us Eric could see while suggesting that 
aybe he was just copying his brother’s behavior. When we tried to tell him that 
asn’t the case, he said we just hadn’t noticed and should probably pay more 
ttention. We were treated like ignorant parents.  It wasn’t until someone did 
he right kind of test, an extensive ERG, that we finally got a diagnosis. Eric 
as a rare cone-rod dysfunction that affected the genetic sequence of the cones 
nd rods in his brain occurring in only one out of every one=2
0million people.  
ost ophthalmologists only read about it. His eyes were perfectly fine, but his 
rain didn’t receive the picture.  

So why have I been a board member and now want to be President of NFBF-Parents? 
hy am I secretary for my local NFB chapter? Why am I continually looking for 
ew fund-raising ideas?

 I’ve come to realize it’s not about me. It’s about my boys. They are blind 
hildren. They will grow up to be blind adults. I want to be part of a group 
hat can hel
 prepare them for that. Belonging to NFBF-Parents is essential. Blind children 
eed blind role models. They need programs like Braille Readers are Leaders, 
outh Slam, and mentoring programs. Our children need the NFB. 

I’ve come to realize that parents need the NFB just as much as our children. We 
eed a place to turn to for answers and fellowship. We need to know that we’re 
ot alone. We need other parents and blind adults to rely on. What you believe 
bout blindness affects everything. You can be a loving parent. You can be a 
killed teacher. You can sincerely love blind children and want them to succeed. 
ut if you don’t truly believe in your heart that it’s okay to be blind, your 
hild won’t either. 

It is my sincere belief that our kids can do anything and that by joining 
ogether; we can make a difference in the future of all blind children. The NFB 
s changing what it means to be blind. 

The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight. The real problem is 
he misunderstanding and lack of information that exists. If a blind person has 
roper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a physical 
uisance. A belief that blindness is much like other nuisances such as being 
eft-handed, being too tall, too short, too heavy or too thin. Independence is a 
lind person’s right. 

Throughout my life I have tried to conduct myself in the above principles in my 
areer, home an
 family life and volunteer work. After moving to Florida a short four years 
go, I have been a member, board member and now Secretary of our local 
FB-Greater Jacksonville Chapter. I became a board member of NFBF-Parents in 
007. I am also a member of PLP-Parent Leadership Program and Parent Action 
ommittee at FSDB. 

In March 2009, with the help of our local NFB chapter, my husband and I 
rganized and executed the 1st Annual Cut-a-Thon benefiting the NFB. We held the 
vent at a local cosmetology school with 14 participating salons and over 40 
tylists volunteering their time. 100% proceeds went to NFB-Jacksonville Chapter 
here part of that money will go to parents and children attending state and 
ational conventions. Best of all, the officials at North Florida Institute were 
mpressed with our group and more than happy to give back to the community. They 
ave offered to host another cut-a-thon for us toward the end of the summer and 
gain in March 2010
. 

Since September 2008, I have been networking with parents in the 
acksonville/St. Augustine area in order to start a Saturday activity program 
or parents of blind children. This program will enable parents and their blind 
hildren to interact, socialize and share information with other parents and 
lind adults. Families will be able to bond with other NFBF-Parents in our area 
long with our local NFB-Jacksonville Chapter. 

I now want to devote my time and energy to the continued works of NFBF-Parents. 
ur parents divis
on has much to do and I want to make a difference. I want to see parents 
etworking together, sharing experiences and concerns, through NFBF-Parents and 
ocal chapters. I want to bridge the gap between NFBF-Parents and local NFB. I 
ant to see them working together in order to facilitate an easy transition for 
lind children as they grow into young adult blind men and women.  Together we 
an initiate activities throughout the year in addition to state and national 
onventions. We can convince educators that Braille is essential, necessary and 
lways, always required. We can assist our children in learning to be 
ndependent. I want us to function as an integral part of the National 
ederation of the Blind in its ongoing effort to eliminate discrimination and 
rejudice against the blind and to achieve for the blind security, equality and 
pportunity. I am asking for your support for Lenora Marten as President of 
ational Federation of the Blind Florida Parents.20Thank you!

Lenora Marten
7175 Overland Park Blvd E
Jacksonville, FL  32244
904-777-5976 – home
904-229-9554 – cell
bluegolfshoes at aol.com 

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