[Nfbmo] advocacy

Mon Feb 18 02:35:02 UTC 2013

Like was my friend. I remember getting to know you better at our weekend 
retreat. You are a great colleague to have.

Thank You!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Sievert" <matt.sievert at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Missouri Mailing List" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 11:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] advocacy

> Thank you Debbie for your kind words and all the work you and your husband
> do for the folks in Missouri and the rest of country.
>
> Matt Sievert
>
> On Sun, Feb 17, 2013 at 10:50 AM, Debbie Wunder 
> <debbiewunder at centurytel.net
>> wrote:
>
>> Very well said Matt, thank you!
>>
>> Also I would like to say that our Missouri convention is open to all, and
>> we welcome all. Rehab Services for the Blind has been one of the best in
>> rehab, have they ever made mistakes? Yes, of course, fut. over all they
>> have been great, and want the best for blind Missourians. We have worked 
>> in
>> the NFB well with them for many years, and will continue to do so.
>>
>> Often as blind people we do not have high expectations of ourselves, but
>> very high expectations of our agencies. Often we become very spoiled in 
>> the
>> give me, and not so giving of ourselves.
>>
>> We are not so different than other people in that sometimes the road we
>> start to travel is not the road for us. You need then to turn around and
>> try something new. But we also must remember when we enter into a 
>> contract
>> with a state agency we also have the responsibility to try our very best 
>> to
>> make our Endeavour work, not wasting state tax dollars.
>>
>> All to often I see college students, or even people trained in other
>> area's finish the training, and then decide it is not for them before 
>> even
>> attempting to find employment.
>>
>> Matt, thank you for your insight, your words of wisdom, and your 
>> tinastity
>> to take on life.
>>
>> Debbie
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Sievert" 
>> <matt.sievert at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB of Missouri Mailing List" <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 1:11 AM
>> Subject: [Nfbmo] advocacy
>>
>>
>>  Group,
>>>
>>> I am an outsider looking in.
>>>
>>> I am legally blind, but not a member of the NFB. I observe, and comment,
>>> and I make decisions based on what I witness.
>>>
>>> I see it in the Michigan and the Missouri NFB news lists. People who
>>> refuse
>>> to move forward. No matter what adversity has taken place.
>>>
>>> If you want to be successful in your endeavors, you must move on. You 
>>> will
>>> experience awful events, and unfair experiences.
>>> It is up to you to be your primary advocate, and move on.
>>>
>>> Gather people who think the same as you and form a force to be reckoned
>>> with, but keep that force united, and strong. Do not show weakness or
>>> unprofessionalism. The act of forrming a group, you will be noticed for
>>> both your mission and your conduct.
>>>
>>> if you want the support of the general public for your causes. Then it 
>>> is
>>> essential to put forth your best.
>>>
>>> All these correspondences, are archived, and searchable by using the
>>> Google
>>> search engine.
>>>
>>> The Michigan NFB state convention is open to the public, i am unaware of
>>> the Missouri state convention. Anyone can attend the Michigan convention
>>> as
>>> long as they register. With that you become a public forum where others
>>> will attend to seek more information about your group and if they want 
>>> to
>>> support your cause.
>>>
>>> Being blind sucks, and people stereotype, discriminate, and do all kinds
>>> of
>>> ugly stuff we can't even see.  it is our job to make the best of it and
>>> surpass the challenges. And put forth a face of the blind that says
>>> "welcome", we are happy people. Professionals, going to work every day,
>>> and
>>> going about our lives, just like you. You might drive a car, or fly a
>>> plane, but we are not all that different. That is the number one message
>>> we
>>> need to project when the public sees us.
>>>
>>> You stop and you take the extra time to show them the cane, or the
>>> monocular, or tell them how much you can see. You help as small as it
>>> might
>>> be, for them to understand you, and make them relax.
>>>
>>> People watch, and they talk, and word will spread. Your actions although
>>> not said to your face are visible to everyone who sees you on a daily
>>> basis. From getting a donut at the coffee shop, or walking down the
>>> sidewalk in the snow. People know who you are, and when you interact 
>>> with
>>> them, you want them to have a positive or at least neutral opinion of 
>>> you.
>>>
>>> Be nice, your cane is not a weapon, it is a symbol of your independence,
>>> and a welcome sign to motorist who will better understand why you are 
>>> not
>>> acknowledging their hand gestures.
>>>
>>> Thank you for your time, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
>>>
>>> Matt Sievert
>>> ______________________________**_________________
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>>> Nfbmo at nfbnet.org
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>>> debbiewunder%40centurytel.net<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmo_nfbnet.org/debbiewunder%40centurytel.net>
>>>
>>>
>>
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>>
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