[Nfbmo] "Why I'm a Federationist"

[Cory McMahon]

Wow, Roger-Great story!

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Crome via
Nfbmo
Sent: Saturday, April 1, 2017 7:18 AM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Roger Crome <r_crome1 at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] "Why I'm a Federationist"

Hello Friends,
Nice job Corey.  I echo Corey's thoughts on this. We have had some very
moving and eloquent stories that will touch people.  I am going to take my
turn.

I remember back in high school when my uncle was a local chapter President
in the NFB.  He brought me to the local meetings and I joined as a member
when I turned 18.  I remember traveling to South Bend Indiana for a state
board meeting with him.  I was proud to be a part of the NFB and worked to
build membership of youth in that area.  Unfortunately, arguments and
frustration within the chapter brought the NFBIN Evansville chapter to an
end, and sadly, I don't think it has ever revived.  At that point, I don't
think I was mature enough to understand the true impact of an advocacy
movement.  So, at that time, I disassociated myself from the NFB.

When I moved to Missouri in 1997, I began to develop an interest in
advocacy.  I have been active with many committees and organization
throughout the years.  I have developed a skillset of working with the state
legislature to get things done  Over the years, I have periodically inquired
as to whether there was an NFB in our area, and President Wunder continued
to tell me "No, but we would love to have one."  I unfortunately, did not
feel like taking on the task of formulating a chapter was something I wanted
to do.

A few years back, I followed the efforts of the NFB in getting the little
baby re-united with her blind parents and became integral in helping pass
legislation that aimed to stop the discriminatory practice of assume
incompetence. Then, a couple of years ago, there was a little boy in Kansas
City that had his cane taken away and replaced with a pool noodle.  At the
time, I was the statewide President of People First of Missouri, and so, I
called Gary Wunder to see what kind of collaborative advocacy we could do.
I was very impressed to find out that the issue had been resolved as a
result o  of the NFB.  This incident triggered to me because our school
district tried to take my son's cane while he was on the bus.  Fortunately,
our issue was resolved quickly because my wife, Wendy, and I knew what to
do.  However, what if this happened to another family who did not know their
rights and found there was no local support for them.  It was at this point
that I knew that the Federation needed to be in our part of the state as
well.  So, I inquired of President Wunder as to what I needed to do in order
to formulate a chapter.  Gary helped me through the process, and the NFBMO
Mineral Area Chapter was formed in 2015.  Over the last two years, I have
met some really good people who have welcomed me warmly into the movement
that is the National Federation of the Blind.  My goal forward is to be as
integral to the movement as the movement is to me.

I am sure this will have to be edited.  It is way too early on a Saturday
morning.  Lol

Thanks for reading.
Roger

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 31, 2017, at 8:20 PM, Cory McMahon via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> While I do not believe I have the ability to express myself as 
> eloquently as others have in telling their "Why I'm a Federationist" 
> stories, here's my
> story:
> 
> 
> 
> My journey into the NFB began in 2009, when I attended a state 
> convention being held in St. Louis, Missouri. It was at this 
> convention that I first met Dacia, who was the one I distinctly remember
welcoming me to the NFB.
> 
> 
> 
> I've been an NFB member off and on, through tremendously rough times 
> in my personal life and as a member of the NFB, and folks have stuck 
> by my side through it all.
> 
> 
> 
> I appreciate opportunities I have to give back to the organization by 
> providing updates on state legislation, and I trust that my 
> understanding of our state legislative process has been, and will 
> continue to be, of some benefit to the organization.
> 
> 
> 
> I appreciate very much how welcoming members of the organization are, 
> and I am blessed daily how much the Missouri affiliate is truly like a
family.
> 
> 
> 
> As some of you are aware, I will be a first-time attendee at this 
> year's National convention, and I can't adequately express how much 
> I'm truly looking forward to the experience.
> 
> 
> 
> In conclusion, earlier I mentioned that I have been an off-and-on 
> member of the NFB. Well, I am no longer an "off-and-on" member. I'm 
> here to stay, and am looking forward to opportunities to increase my 
> involvement with this wonderful organization.
> 
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> 
> Cory McMahon
> 
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