[Nfbf-l] Thank You, Debby - You are an Inspiration!

Thu May 28 22:56:41 UTC 2009

Andrew, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I do love what this organization stands for, especially our children. I love seeing those tiny faces light up with joy when they get the first cane in their hands, and like this weekend, seeing several refuse to let go of that cane. I love being a part of families and kids learning they are not alone, but have many others just like them around to support and encourage one another. 

We have only just begun in our journey with families of blind children. Several of the kids at convention were not even born when we first began 4 years ago!   I pray you will all continue to work together to strengthen our division, and to bring even more families the hope and encouragement they need as they travel this journey with their kids. Don't let convention enthusiasm die down, keep it going all year, and much will be accomplished!

I've not gone away, I'm just stepped back for a season. Feel free to call on me anytime!

 Debby
bwbddl at yahoo.com
www.nfbflorida.org/parents

Please support Braille literacy and programs for our youth by sponsoring me in
the Motor City March for Independence! Better yet, join the team of the FL Parents of Blind Children!
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/debbyb
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/fpobc

________________________________
From: andrew regnery <amregnery at yahoo.com>
To: Debby B <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
Cc: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org; nfbf-parents at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 11:18:48 AM
Subject: Thank You, Debby - You are an Inspiration!

Debby,

It was a pleasure meeting you this weekend at the NFB Florida Convention. On Friday night YOU were the first person that I talked with on the 6th floor of the Embassy Suites Hotel about Florida Parents of Blind Children. I wanted to share with you my personal story on my vision loss. It will provide you perspective that you and the Parents of Blind Children were meant to become a part of my life at this moment in time.

It is a personal passion of mine to provide inspiration, guidance, and hope to students, parents, and teachers of our K-12 public school system,. Because I lost my sight (October 2007) and was classified by Social Security as visually disabled (April 2008), I have had to go through a major and sudden transformation in my life's journey. In July 2008 I worked with my DBS Vocational Rehabilitation specialist, Christina Panzak-Smith to put a one-year vocational rehabilitation plan in place. The plan I proposed was unique and considered impractical with my family and friends. I did not listen to them and went with the pull from my soul (i.e., guided by our Lord as a Messenger of HOPE) in trying to achieve my hopes and dreams. I knew what I wanted to do but was uncertain on how to get there. However, this was not new to me as I have had to face similar challenges and obstacles in my life. I faced this type of challenge many times in my career as an Aerospace
 Engineer working in the world of Advanced Programs and R&D (i.e., Research and Development). I began work after graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rockwell International in 1980 which later became part of the Boeing Company in 1996. My 25 years working in this world of challenges, obstacles, and the unknown for aerospace vehicles and technology has led me to do the same for our current education system. 

My vocational rehabilitation plan is to begin an effort to transition the culture of our K-12 PUBLIC Schools. The new culture will be based on preparing our children to participate in the global economy of the 21st century. The plan was based on starting my own Education Outreach company and using my experience as an aerospace engineer and an out-of-the-box visionary to assist our American children become motivated to LEARN and then be provided the guidance to seek, explore, and discover who they are and what our WORLD is all about.

I am choosing to address those categories that are most challenging. This includes working with

(1) children who are visually impaired and blind
(2) children who use English as a Second Language

My goal is the show that these children when put in the proper LEARNING environment can exceed the level of children who can see and use English as their first language. I plan to raise the bar where these children can test at the level of the best countries (note: currently the United States ranks 24th) in the world in math and science when graduating from high school. This will require revolutionary improvement instead of the evolutionary improvement that our schools are measuring themselves against. Our nation must reverse our downward trend in math and science or our country faces a future with a lower standard of living and lower wages. Remember who was the economic power at the start of the 1900's. It was Great Britain. They were overtaken by the United States as the economic power during the 20th century when innovation allowed the following:

	* The Ford Company began mass production of the Model-T Ford
	* The Boeing Company began large production runs of passenger jets
	* NASA sent man to the moon resulting in future technologies such as the integrated circuit, personal computers, internet technology, advanced materials, etc.

These innovations created high paying manufacturing and white collar jobs. These manufacturing jobs which can be performed with low paying labor is disappearing from this country. Other industries have emerged in the last 50 years such as investment services, fast foods, entertainment services , digital media, travel industry, etc. For the United States the new innovation technologies of the 21st century include energy technologies, green environment technologies, bio-technology, nano technology, robotics, communications, etc. American companies currently has more openings for engineers and scientists to develop these new technologies than students graduating from college each year. This is why my focus is  to improve math, science, and technology education with our K-12 public schools.

Debby... I was inspired by you to get involved with Florida Parents of the Blind. On Saturday morning during Centering Prayer I asked the Lord to provide me the guidance, strength, courage, and wisdom on how I could help with this group. During the Saturday morning presentations with Dr. Ruby Ryles and Dr. Sandra Lewis I was overcome with the desire to participate as a member of the Board of Directors. I am honored to have been elected as the PR/Membership Board Member for Florida Parents of Blind Children.

I love your passion and caring soul. By stepping back as president you are now a consumer of services instead of a provider. I hope that I can be of assistance and support to your family in Martin County as a provider of services. You have made my job easier. You were the trailblazer and I am following in your footsteps to continue with your mission and vision. I can use your assistance as a mentor and allow a seamless transition to the new generation of leaders.

Thanks Debby! May you and your family be filled with faith, hope, and charity.

Andrew

Andrew Matthew Regnery
PR/Membership Board Member
Florida Parents of Blind Children

On May 25, 2009, at 9:50 PM, Debby B wrote:

As most of you know, I made the decision prior to convention to pass on the baton this year. It was a very tough decision to make, but one that is necessary at this time. I'm not going away, just stepping back in order to focus on my family for a season.

We had many new families this year, and incredible activities and child care. The child care workers want to go with us to Orlando! Many, many thanks to Dennis and Sue Davids, and to Jody Ianuzzi for all their hard work prior to and during the convention to help make this convention come together. Many thanks to Lenora and Larry Marten for their generous gifts to the parents, and to Dennis and Sue Davids for their generous donations to the childcare program and gifts to the parents.  Many thanks to Carol Fratti and Chris Masal, both from DBS, for the last minute scramble to acquire the power point equipment needed. Thanks also to Donna Evans for our Girl Scout volunteers on Saturday, and David Evans for the use of your sound system. And, of course, thanks to our fabulous speakers and presenters: Dr. Ruby Ryles, LA Tech University; Dr. Sandra Lewis, FSU; Suzanne Dalton, FL Instructional Materials Center; Dr. McKeown and Dr. Lam from Bascom Palmer;
 Sherrill O'Brien, Winona Brackett, Cecelia Rodrigues, Eric Marten on our Braille Readers panel, and Dani Sapiro, Kris Scheppe, Winona Brackett, Kelly James on our "What Can You Do With a Blind Kid?" panel. 

Welcome to all our new families! We're glad to have you join us! We missed those of you from the past years who were not able to attend this year. Hope you will all make plans to join us in Orlando next year over the Memorial Day weekend. Also, check out National Convention July 3-July 8, in Detroit, MI. (www.nfb.org) Be sure to join the March for Independence team, or make a donation to Winona and I or to the team. Info following my signature.

Congratulations to our new board:
President Lenora Marten
Vice President Doreen Franklin
Secretary Vickie Wolf
Treasurer Larry Marten
Legislative Board Member Anastasia Campbell
PR/Membership Board Member Andrew Regnery
Fundraising Board Member Kelly James

 Debby
bwbddl at yahoo.com
www.nfbflorida.org/parents

Please support Braille literacy and programs for our youth by sponsoring me in
the Motor City March for Independence! Better yet, join the team of the FL Parents of Blind Children! Only 5 more weeks!!
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/debbyb
http://www.marchforindependence.org/goto/fpobc