[NFBF-Tampa] submitting my name as a candidate for the position of Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida.

[Jeanette]

Dear NFBF family:
My name is Jeanette Torres and I am writing to submit my name as a candidate
for the position of Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of
Florida.
Below is a brief bio for you to consider. If I were to describe myself in
one word, it would be "persevering." I work hard until I achieve what I need
to achieve. I remain committed to a desired goal, and I am willing to invest
the necessary time and effort to succeed. I do not give up easily and I
persevere when confronted with obstacles. My passion to succeed inspires
others to follow through and reach the goals they set for themselves. I
motivate others through my dedication.
I was born with retinopathy of prematurity, making me totally blind. I am
currently thirty-eight. I was born in Santuse, Puerto Rico and I moved to
Tampa, Florida when I was two because there are more opportunities for the
blind here. I was mainstreamed in public schools. Currently I continue to
reside in Tampa Florida. I attended the University of South Florida where I
earned a degree in criminology and am currently looking for an either job in
my field of study, IT Help Desk work, or advocacy for the blind. 
Some of my interests include advocating for blind people, dogs, Martial
Arts, playing the Violin, Playing Play-by-post role-playing games, Listening
to music, reading, Socializing with friends, Troubleshooting PC and iPhone
problems, PC Maintenance, Video gaming, Watching movies, Watching
television, and Web surfing. 
After hearing about the NFB Training Centers while messaging with someone
online in 2010, I tried to find a way to get my VR Agency to take me as a
client so I could get training. With the help, advice and support of Anil
Lewis, as well as the persistence of Pam Allen, in 2016 I attended and
graduated from the adult training program at the Louisiana Center for the
Blind. While in training, I increased my reading speed in Braille, was
taught cane travel, and was taught home management skills. I was also given
the opportunity to attend in person my first national convention. Growing
up, I had no exposure to successful positive blind role models. The blind
people I knew would engage in habits such as excessive rocking and eye
poking, had low expectations placed upon them, and were immature. I did not
know any blind people who were working successfully as scientists, lawyers,
teachers, or businessmen. I did not know anyone who could help me unlock my
potential by showing me strategies they used to do their job as well as
their sighted colleagues. There was no one who could help me see that it was
truly possible for me to live the life I want. I had no blind community that
I could turn to for support. However, while in training at the Louisiana
Center for the Blind, I discovered the value of the Federation. For the
first time I realized that, I am not alone. I have a network of people just
like me. They not only understood the challenges I faced, but also lived and
overcame some of the very same issues I had been struggling with every day. 
After listening to the audio stream of the National Convention in 2015, I
had developed a passion for the legislative efforts of the Federation, which
drove my interest in pursuing advocacy and policy on behalf of blind people.
I have been discriminated against and overprotected for the majority of my
life and people have tried to close doors on me but I try not to let them
succeed. My own struggles had created in me a deep personal desire to ensure
that no more blind people would be prevented from achieving their dreams as
I was. For me, advocacy for the blind is not merely an aspiration; it is a
personal passion. I want to be a part of it. I think the blind of the future
should have opportunities that I did not have, and they should have another
blind person working with them and fighting for them. Here is an
organization in which I could help to fight discrimination and increase
opportunity for all the blind. I could participate actively in this movement
for civil rights and equal opportunity. I've gone to Capitol Hill, meeting
with our representatives in Congress advocating for Rights for the Blind. 
We must change the attitudes of both the public and the agencies doing work
with the blind. This is why I'm part of the Federation. This is why I give
to it all that I can.
I have been a part of our Federation family a little over a year now. I am a
proud NFB member, and I love working to continue changing what it means to
be blind. I'm also so proud to be among such driven individuals. The
National Federation of the Blind has been enormously helpful in my life so
I'm looking to have an opportunity to give back. Success starts with
learning and growing so let's go build the Federation. I am excited and
humbled to work with so many other intelligent, and passionate blind people
to continue raising the expectations of blind people. I am ready to build
the Federation so all blind people can live the lives we want! I look
forward to working with all of you to transform our dreams into reality!
Please consider voting for me as a member of the Florida state board on
Monday morning at convention.
Sincerely, 
Jeanette Torres
 
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