[NFBF-L] Sad news about Lauren Blum

[Scott Wilson]

This is truly shocking news, something I was not prepared to hear. And something I did not expect. Lauren was a very important Person who inspired me to come to grips with and move forward with accepting my vision loss. To observe her functioning with no vision and many other health issues Was truly a breath of fresh air to me, As well her welcoming Personality and encouragement to join the NFB was a very positive experience that led me to where I am today. I wish to send my deepest condolences , thoughts and prayers to her mother Carol, her husband Steve, Jacqueline and Jason as well as any other family members and friends. I am deeply saddened as well heartbroken to hear this, A fantastic person who has been taken to be an angel way too early.

> On Sep 1, 2020, at 8:29 AM, Holly Idler Ryan via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> This breaks my heart. Lauren was one of my first, most positive students. I looked up to her in so many ways.
> Holly
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Sep 1, 2020, at 8:03 AM, Denise Valkema via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> It is hard and sad to share with you that Lauren Blum passed away yesterday, 8/31/20. She helped people who are blind anyway she could.She was instrumental in forming the Suncoast chapter and led the chapter in cohosting one of our state conventions. Now some of the chapter members have become leaders and members of our statewide chapter. She thought about our needs to keep hydrated and filled throughout the day by selling snack packs and managed our hospitality suite. She held diabetes calls during the year and seminars at state convention. She served as Suncoast chapter president and an affiliate board member.
>> Lauren had a positive outlook on life and continued to touch those around her with love and laughter despite all her health struggles. There is a a facebook fundraiser below and including a message if anyone wants to help. Take the time to share your memories of Lauren and keep her husband, Steve, her mother, Carol, family, and friends in your thoughts and Prayers. 
>>> 
>>>> A Facebook fundraiser:
>>> 
>>> https://www.gofundme.com/f/lauren039s-final-expenses?sharetype=teams&member=5579008&pc=fb_co_campmgmt_m&rcid=r01-159890342024-868a5657786a4b00&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_co_campmgmt_m
>>> 
>>>> Lauren's Final Expenses
>>>> 
>>>> TEAM FUNDRAISER
>>>> Jaclyn Matthews and Steven Blum are organizing this fundraiser
>>>> 
>>>> As most of you may know, my sister Lauren, has battled health issues the majority of her life. She was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes at the age of 6 and has proven to be a fighter from the start. She went blind at the age of 25. Had a kidney and pancreas transplant not long after that and the myriad of health issues continued but Lauren faught long and hard. She decided to go back to school when she was blind and became the first Blind President of Phi Beta Kappa which is the National Honor Society for 2 year colleges. She then went on to become very involved with National Federation of the Blind. She strived at everything she did. She was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and most of all friend. 
>>>> 
>>>> Today August 31, 2020 Lauren's battled ended. She was tired and her body was weary. Her poor heart gave out today. We never anticipated this day would come hense this page. We were never prepared for this.  We are asking very humbly for help with Lauren's final expenses. We will be cremating her and having some sort of celebration of life depending on what is allowed per the pandemic. There will be more info as soon as we know what we can do.
>>>> 
>>>> We appreciate any help that can be given.  As we know more info we will update this.
>>>> 
>>>> In Loving Memory of
>>>> Lauren Meredith Blum
>>>> 6/1/1979 - 8/31/2020
>>>> 
>>> Together, 
>>>> Denise Valkema, President  National Federation of the Blind of Florida 
>>>> (305)972-8529
>>>> president at nfbflorida.org
>>>> www.nfbflorida.org
>>>> Follow us @nfbflorida
>>>> You can live the life you want.
>>>> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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