[Nfbmo] {Spam?} Why I Am A Federationist

Gail Bryant gbryant at socket.net
Sun Apr 2 03:35:50 UTC 2017


Wonderful story Rita.  I can still remember little Larry running around.
Not so little anymore.

Gail Bryant
Columbia Braille Teaching Services L.L.C.
1212 London Drive
Columbia, MO 65203-2012
Phone: (573)817-5993
Cell: (573)268-4962
gbryant at socket.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rita Lynch via
Nfbmo
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:05 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Rita Lynch
Subject: [Nfbmo] {Spam?} Why I Am A Federationist

Why I Am A Federationist

 

It was in February of 1982 when I got a call from Barbara Cheadle who
informed me that there was going to be a meeting of blind persons here in
Jefferson City. She didn't give me a chance to ask many questions; she just
said that if I needed a ride or child care, they could help with that.
Evidently the Jefferson City Chapter was less than a year old at that time.
I did go to that meeting and met several blind persons and among these were
Ed and Gail Bryant, Bill Neal, Jan Haas, the local chapter president and
other Federationists like John and Barbara Cheadle. I heard President Wunder
talk but didn't get to meet him at that time. They sparked my interest so I
decided to go to the March monthly meeting and there paid my dues. They
discussed the upcoming state convention to be held in Springfield and
encouraged us who had just joined to attend. I felt I wanted to learn a bit
more about this group of blind persons so did attend with another blind
friend. You see, I did not know of any other younger blind persons like I
was at that time. That was 35 years ago. At that convention, I met lots of
Federationists. Billie Weaver was so gracious and informative. I met John
and Rhoda Dower and Joan Davis and many others. We sat at the banquet table
with the newly weds, Gene and Carol Coulter and June Holman was also there
they answered all the questions I had. This is where I decided that I wanted
to be a part of this group. I tell folks that I was fairly shy at that time,
and that might be hard to believe but they will confirm that it is true. The
Federation brought me out of that. It taught me so much and gave me the
encouragement to live the life I really wanted. I was elected chapter
president in January of 1983 and have been busy in the Federation since that
time. When our youngest of three, Larry went to school, I began job
searching and didn't give up till I got a job. With moral support and
encouragement, I started college and got my BS in Sociology and worked over
22 years for Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. I am now happily retired
and enjoying it. The Federation has been a huge part of my success and I've
made many dear friends. When I meet blind persons I share with them how the
Federation has helped me and encourage them to become familiar with the NFB.

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