[Nfbmo] Jernigan Award

[DanFlasar at aol.com]

Hi everyone,
I haven't been very active lately - as some of you know, I've had some  
medical problems for the last 2 months, which is why I wasn't able to attend 
our  state convention. Without getting into a lot of detail, I've been dealing 
with  severe back and leg pain. I am relieved to say that my prognosis is 
looking much  better over the next few months - it's going to take a lot of 
rehab work - and  I'm ready for it.

As many of you may know, acute medical conditions - and the consequent pain 
 and continuous consultations, procedures and tests - can contract your 
life. The  routines of living become disrupted and sometimes have to be 
renegotiated.  Normal interests in the outside world are displaced by the regimens 
of therapy  and aleviation of symptoms. Forgoing usual social get-togethers 
(like chapter  meetings and conventions) further increase a sense of 
isolation. Of course, we  all learn to cope with these things over time, and I am 
grateful for all my  family and friends who have kept in touch.

I was feeling physically and emotionally very low the night I listened to  
the convention banquet speeches. The announcement that I had been selected 
to  receive the Jernigan award took me very much by surprise - I was - and 
still am  - moved to tears.

I was reminded of the reasons I sought out the NFB in the first place. I  
was losing my vision, unsure about my job, my life and how I would adapt. I  
wanted to find confident, accomplished, compassionate and energetic people 
who  had successfully dealt with what I was going through - to learn from 
their  experiences and make new friends. 
Well... I got what I was looking for - and a lot more.
I have always tried to contribute to the NFB - but I can never equal the  
warmth and friendship you all have given to me over the years. I am very 
humbled  and grateful by the recognition the Jernigan Award represents, and I 
promise  that I will always do my best to live up to it.

Thank you very much, my friends.

Dan Flasar