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

Fri May 29 02:56:14 UTC 2009

Debby, I commend you for the tremendous job you have done with the parents' 
division and never failing to help the NFBF when needed. Thank you so much.
Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Debby B" <bwbddl at yahoo.com>
To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <nfbf-parents at yahoogroups.com>; "andrew regnery" <amregnery at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Thank You, Debby - You are an Inspiration!


> 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
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Nfbf-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.com
>