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

[Amy Sabo]

hello mike,

first of all happy new year to you too! and, thanks as always for the
updates here on nfb of mi through nfbnet. i'am sorry thatt you had too
deal with health problems this past winter and, i do completely do
understand on them completely!

i was shocked to hear of ray robinson's death when you posted here in
this message you sent to the list. my thoughts and prayers with you
all in the nfb of mi affiliate. i do remember ray and, his unique
personality and, good sense of humor. he did indeed make a unique
impression on me and, also with becca too when we saw him at state
convention in the past years when we had lived there. i'am sorry of
hearing this news and, again my thoughts and prayers are with you all
including his family!

well, that's all for now take care of yourself and, good luck to
everything in the nfb of mi this year and, hopefully i will be able to
see you in la this summer!


hugs,
amy sabo

On 1/20/22, Michael  Powell via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
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