[NFBMI-Talk] message from the president and sad news

[mpowell7583 at yahoo.com]

Greetings to my federation family.

Happy New Year to all of you.  I apologize for not writing sooner but like
many this winter I have been plagued by the usual winter ailments that are,
thank God, not covid, but resemble it by having the same symptoms.
According to the news last week upper respiratory infections, strep, and
pneumonia, along with the variant, have been quite prevalent this winter and
like the saying goes they are like the gift that keeps on giving.  Just to
sum it up, I got a cold that was beginning to resemble the infections I was
only all too familiar with right after Christmas.   Got meds from my doctor
who couldn't see me without a covid test.  Got a PCR test and both Paulette
and I tested negative for covid, went to doctor and got checked for
pneumonia, found out I didn't have it but still felt bad, finally, whatever
I had started to clear up as the drugs may have kicked in and I am now
feeling close to normal.  Though I was doing some federation work it wasn't
for extended periods so now it is time to get caught up.  There are some
others in our Michigan affiliate who I know are dealing with some health
issues so let's hope and pray for their return to good health.  As I haven't
gotten their permission to pass their information on, we will protect their
privacy for now.   

I have some very sad news to report to you.  I am sorry to have to tell you
that on January 3, I learned that Ray Roberson died November 16,2021, at the
age of 93.        I had talked to him in October and .  While he was not in
hospice care he felt that the forced inactivity due to covid last year was
the cause of his muscles beginning to deteriorate and his system shutting
down.  The prostate cancer that had previously been under control was also
starting to advance.  Some of you know even in his nineties Ray maintained a
regular exercise program at his local senior center and would have continued
if things had been different.  In the event that we might not be able to
connect again Ray was in a sense saying goodbye as we talked of the
friendship we maintained over the years.   In the recognition award I
presented to him in 2012 I told you that Ray was my piano teacher in my high
school years and it was Ray who introduced me to his positive philosophy of
life which eventually led me into the NFB.    I regret not being more
diligent in following up with him as I worked on state convention and other
commitments during the rest of October and November but maybe this was how
it was meant to be.  

I am sorry that none of us were notified of his passing and the funeral
service held for him November 22 in Dearborn.  Knowing of his poor health
Paulette did a search of obituaries in the hope that we would not find him
but our worst hopes were confirmed.  

As I stated in 2012 Ray was one of the warriors and champions for the blind
in the 1970's.  

He was an activist for civil rights and the rights of the LGBTQ community
long before their cause was given any media attention.  He was a true
advocate and brother in the cause of the organized blind.  He was president
of the Detroit chapter at a time when it had well over 100 members.  He was
in the Wayne chapter and served on the state board of our affiliate.  I have
a recording of the presentation of the tribute we gave Ray as well as an
expanded written version that we can put on the website for those who might
be interested.

We can take comfort in knowing that Ray had a long and active life, and our
cause will continue in memory of him.  Rest in peace dear brother.  We know
that you loved us and that we loved you as part of our federation family.

I also learned from John Scott last week of the death of another giant who
was known to the NFB in the late 70's.  He was a sighted man who had a very
distinguished life in Lions International and the Detroit Renaissance Lions
Club.

John informed me that Larry Young died last week at the age of 100.  Larry
will be remembered by those who were around in the late 1970's as he served
on the first Commission for the Blind Board when PA 260 was adopted in 1978.
Larry had always been supportive and friendly toward the NFB and contributed
to our Detroit chapter with his personal donations and those made by his
Club .  Larry participated in chapter activities and attended meetings when
his busy schedule permitted.  Past NFB President Larry Posont can tell you
stories of Mr. Young's driving a van load of federation members to one or
more national conventions.  

Friends like Larry Young will always be appreciated and valued for
supporting our cause and respecting the true capacity of blind people to
live the life we want.

Some of you will remember that Larry's Daughter Janice, who is also blind,
worked at the Detroit office of the then Commission for the Blind.  Please
keep the family of Larry Young and Ray Roberson in your prayers.

In closing let's end on a happy note and commit to rededicating ourselves to
working actively this year to build our affiliate and reach out to new
people with our positive message.  AS the Washington Seminar is now going to
be totally virtual, we will have a chance to join the groups that will be
arranging appointments with our members of Congress as we talk to them
through the Zoom platform.  I will do my best to keep everyone in the loop
and I will need you to be able to help when called upon by me or one of the
team captains.

So, in closing Happy New Year again and let's continue to build the NFB of
Michigan.

Michael Powell, President

NFB of Michigan