[NFBF-Tampa] FW: My Letter of Resignation

[tampa President]

Marion,
First, I would like to write to you personally. I want to remind you that our friendship comes first before anything, and that you are leaving the organization, but not our friendship. Now, I will just you as the president of the Tampa Bay chapter of the national Federation of the blind. I would like to thank you so much for your dedication and hard work that you have demonstrated over the years in this organization. Your leader ship is contagious and has made me a better leader. Your passion is like no other and will be truly missed. I wish you nothing but the best in all your endeavors. Once again, thank you!

With warm regards,

-- 
Miranda b. Kilby
Ph: (352)942-0417

> On Mar 8, 2021, at 5:27 PM, Marion Gwizdala via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> President Riccobono,
>  
>                 On April 22, 2020, Southeastern Guide Dogs forcibly removed the guide dog of les Demers, a member of the Tampa bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of florida and the Florida Association of guide Dog users. As president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, I have had several calls relating similar instances in which Southeastern abruptly and without warning, without evidence of abuse or neglect, and without due process forcibly removed a guide dog from its blind handler. On March 5, 2021, I received a call from Rev. susan Blake, a blind Episcopal priest in the diocese of Orlando, stating that Southeastern Guide dogs showed up at her residence unannounced on March 4, 2021 and forcibly removed her dog because it “looks like it is about four pounds overweight”. I immediately contacted Raul Gallegos whose first reaction was “I need to contact Southeastern.” He seemed unconcerned about this abusive, undignified, unethical, and immoral behavior and contacting Rev. Blake was an afterthought. President Gallegos has Rev. Blake’s contact information and, as of the date of this writing, has not reached out to Rev. Blake.
>  
>                 The board of directors of the National Association of Guide dog Users met to discuss the incident concerning Mr. Demers and chose to not pursue this case. If they had, perhaps Rev. Blake would still have her dog!
>  
> I have held various elected leadership positions with the National Federation of the blind since 1987. Since 2004, I have served on the board of directors of the National Association of Guide dog Users, including assuming the presidency by succession in 2007 and elected to the presidency in 2008. I have dedicated my life to protecting the rights of guide dog users and have invested countless hours and financial assets in the organization, believing it was the best avenue for change in the manner in which guide dog users are treated. If you were to ask any active member of NAGDU what the primary focus of my administration was, most would say “Ownership upon completion of training”. We discussed ownership during nearly every meeting and I frequently questioned those training programs with ownership policies other than full and complete ownership after completion of training as to their rationale for such paternalistic policies. Their justifications for these policies were as paternalistic as the policies themselves!
>  
> It is very apparent the National Federation of the Blind and the current administration of the National Association of Guide dog users is not interested in protecting the rights and dignity of blind guide dog consumers. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve and support an organization that disregards the basic fundamental rights of blind consumers. Effective immediately, I am resigning my membership in the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Guide Dog Users. This will also serve to resign my elected offices as president of the Florida Association of Guide dog Users and the board of directors of the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of florida.
>  
> Respectfully submitted,
> Marion Gwizdala
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> Marion Gwizdala
> (813) 626-2789
> Marion.Gwizdala at verizon.net
>  
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