The Blind Missourian
                                       September 2017

Table of Contents

Why Is the Current Uber Ride Share Testing
       So Important? by Robyn Wallen       	                   1

 Fitbits Help National Fitness Challenge Participants Set and 
        Meet Realistic Goals by USABA Special Contributor           3

A New Doctor in Our Midst by Carol Coulter                  6
Hurricane Harvey Relief by President Riccobono            9
2018 Convention Announcement by Gen Coulter          10
NFB Pledge                                                                     11
Calendar of Events by President Wright                         12

Why Is the Current Uber Ride Share Testing So Important?

By Robyn Wallen

Since May 8, 2017, the National Federation of the Blind has been looking for testers to make sure that Uber is following the settlement reached with NFB in regards to guide dogs and the rights of their owners to have equal access to ride sharing vehicles. To that end testing is going to be done for the next three years with an option for an extension should it be necessary. As some of you know, Shelia Wright, our president asked me if I would be our contact person for the national office to help with this project. I agreed almost immediately because I am a very strong advocate for transportation and a strong advocate for ride sharing options in general. I know that the relationship with ride shares and dog owners has not been an easy one, and I know of more than one horror story from the past.  In fact, I was with friends one day and experienced the discrimination first hand; so, I knew it was real. That being said, I also knew that all of us, whether we were cane users or dog users, should have the option of being able to use the most spontaneous transportation option we have ever had at our disposal. I longed for a way to make this relationship better, and I truly wanted all my blind brothers and sisters to have the same access to something so freeing that I had.  

Uber was a game changer for myself and Mark. In the past year and a half that Uber has been here, between Mark and myself, we have taken over 600 rides in St. Louis alone. This does not even begin to count the six other cities and five other states we have ridden in. In that time, we have seen good drivers and bad drivers, but overall our experiences have been positive. There have been times that we have had to use six to eight Ubers in one day to accomplish things that before might have been impossible to get done any other way.  Sometimes buses take too long, taxi cabs might not show up, and you cannot plan trips three days in advance to use paratransit. Sometimes you just need a car in your driveway and this is what ride sharing has given us. I know that it can solve a lot of problems for a lot of people.

Unfortunately, at first Uber and Lyft did not fully understand their obligation under the law to transport service animals and tried to say they were a technology company rather than a taxi service. Thanks to many people they finally began to understand that they are required by federal law to accept service animals into any vehicle for hire.  NFB worked very hard with both Uber and Lyft to make sure they fully understood their obligation to those with service dogs and that they hold each driver responsible for any denials. Slowly but surely things began to change.
Since the settlement with the National Federation of the Blind, Uber has worked diligently to change their way of thinking and to educate drivers on their responsibilities in regards to service dogs. Part of that settlement included the three-year testing period in which Uber is paying the National Federation of the Blind to run a testing program to ensure the needs of all dog users are being met.  

That testing program is where each of us comes in. If we want to hold ride share companies accountable, then each and every one of us has an obligation to participate in the testing.  I am not just talking about dog owners, but I am speaking to anyone who rides with someone with a service animal. I am also not just talking about NFB members, but all of our friends and relatives who may not be Federationists, but have still experienced discrimination when trying to use ride shares. If we want to make sure these companies follow the law, then we have to be the eyes and ears that help to ensure that change has happened.

In the past year, I have heard many horror stories, but I have also heard people who have never even tried Uber say they will not use them because they won’t accept guide dogs. Well, while I understand their point it is important to remember that by not using them we are giving them exactly what they want.  We are not advocating for change, but letting these services off the hook. We have to be willing to be inconvenienced from time to time in order to make change happen.  Discrimination does not stop unless people are willing to step up to the plate and help stop it from happening. We have to stand up for our rights and be willing to be front and center in an effort to invoke change. 

We have to look back and realize this is not just a ride sharing issue because there were issues with service dogs in taxi cabs way before these companies came about.  The funny thing is that back in those days taxi cabs might be your only option so no one ever said they would not use them because they do not accept service dogs.  We would fight, argue, and sometimes sue, but people kept on taking their service animals in taxi cabs. No one just walked away; we stayed and we fought, and over time things got a little better, but even today taxi drivers still refuse service animals. So, I have to ask you: how is this any different?  The only difference is now with ride shares we still have other options, but if we always take those other options nothing will change.   

So now is the time to step up and be a part of the solution. NFB needs you to be a tester. It only takes a few minutes of your time to fill out the testing survey, and it will make a difference. Be a pioneer in the movement to make ride shares accessible for all. Don’t depend on other people to fight the battle; get out there and fight it for yourself and everyone else who uses a service dog. So please get involved, get your friends and family involved, and together we can make sure no one is ever refused service by a ride sharing service again. If you have questions feel free to email me at robynwallen@juno.com and in the subject line please put question on Uber Testing.  

Fitbits Help National Fitness Challenge Participants Set and Meet Realistic Goals
By: USABA Special Contributor

For Jenny Carmack, walking had always been a way to ease her worries -- that is, until two years ago, when she lost all of her vision.
“I’ve always enjoyed walking,” the 43-year-old said. “It’s been a stress reliever for me over the years. But it was causing more stress than it was relieving stress when I lost all my vision. It became intimidating just to walk a few blocks.”
Luckily, walking is back to being an enjoyable activity these days -- which is important, considering Carmack has been wearing a Fitbit and tracking her steps as part of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes’ National Fitness Challenge. Slowly but surely, Carmack has gotten back out there, and it’s safe to say she’s no longer intimidated. If anything, others should be intimidated by all the walking she’s been doing.
The National Fitness Challenge has impacted the lives of more than 3,000 people who are blind and visually impaired. The goal of the Challenge remains the same every year: to raise the physical activity level of each participant, with the goal of engaging in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity and 10,000 steps a day.
Here’s how it works: Anthem Foundation awarded the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes grant funding, as it has for the fifth year in a row -- and USABA partnered with 13 agencies across the nation -- including the Missouri affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, which Carmack is a part of -- to recruit participants and provide resources, along with physical activity opportunities, so that participants could reach their daily goals. The affiliate recruited 34 individuals from chapters across the state.
The technology plays a key role in motivating and tracking success. The funding from Anthem Foundation provided a Fitbit Flex 2 wearable device to each participant. The Fitbit acts as a way for people to monitor their progress. It also introduces a level of interaction with other participants, as the 13 groups are competing with their fellow team members on active minutes and number of steps each month. 
Back to Carmack: Growing up legally blind, she was involved with marching band, and she tried her hand at softball. But really, she just liked to walk. So perhaps that’s why she was a perfect fit for the Challenge.
Ever since it started this year, Carmack has been an “extremely dependable and reliable” participant, said Robin House, the chairperson for the Missouri group’s sports and recreation committee, who has been with the organization for 20 years.
So, would it surprise you to learn that initially, Carmack wasn’t so sure about the Challenge? In addition to the recent loss of her vision, which happened due to complications involving her glaucoma, Carmack also lives with a heart condition, and she wasn’t sure how well she’d do.
But Carmack was smart. When she set her step goal at 10,000 a day and failed to reach her mark, she didn’t lose hope. Instead, she tweaked the system to her advantage.
“It felt discouraging to never reach the 10,000-a-day (step goal),” Carmack said. “But then I learned you can move your goal around. So, I started aiming for 4,000 steps a day. Now I’m up to 9,000 a day. And when I hit 9,000, that vibration from the Fitbit gives me that, ‘Yay, I did it!’ feeling.”
Carmack said she likes getting the feedback from the wearable device, and her goal is to hit 10,000 a day soon. And she doesn’t dismiss her heart condition. Carmack is well aware of how it affects her body.
“I have a hard time pushing myself some days,” she said. “And then some days I’m more tired than others. ... I just have to listen to my body.”
Throughout the week, Carmack walks with her husband or on the treadmill. She also tries to attend the group walks with NFB Missouri’s Lewis and Clark chapter.
Stephanie McDowell, 38, has been embarking on the group walks, as well. Although she too is visually impaired, tracking her steps and living in St. Louis -- just like Carmack -- the two are very different.
When presented with the opportunity to take part in the Challenge, McDowell didn’t hesitate.
“She has such a positive attitude -- it’s inspiring,” House said. “(McDowell has) faced adversity. But she’s always very positive and forward-thinking.” Both women “display such commitment to the Challenge,” House said.
It was easy for McDowell to commit to the Challenge because a lot of her steps come from a normal day’s activities. This is her first time wearing a Fitbit. She said she plans to continue all the walking after the Challenge is over. It helps that she’s not in pain anymore.
Three years ago, McDowell was hit by a car. A driver went up on the curb and smashed right into her. The crash broke McDowell’s collar bone and pelvic bone. It really hurt to walk afterward, and recovery was painful, she said.
On top of that, McDowell recently had two stents put in her heart.
“It’s been six months,” she said. “I get tired easily. But the Challenge has helped me get moving again. Being around others helps. And you’re supposed to exercise as you recover from a heart attack -- eat better and move around. So, it all fell in line.”
McDowell said she was en route to a cleaner lifestyle, but wearing the Fitbit motivated her even more to keep up with the healthy habits. She either hits 10,000 steps a day or comes very close, she said.
Between the heart complications and the car accident, “I think I’ve hit my quota,” for unfortunate health events, McDowell joked.
“This has been really fun to see what I’m capable of and how well everyone else is doing,” she said.
McDowell has been involved with NFB Missouri for 10 years and lived with visual impairment since she was 14. 
The NFB is headquartered in Baltimore. Missouri, an NFB affiliate, is then broken into chapters -- for example, the Lewis and Clark chapter in St. Louis.
This Missouri team is the only group of the 13 organizations competing in the Challenge with statewide competitors, House said. This marks the NFB Missouri’s first year with the Challenge, as well.
“It’s really going well,” House said. “We love it. For a long time, we wanted to do some work in terms of promoting fitness for blind people and our members. But we didn’t have the right framework to build any momentum. Missouri had its own (sports and recreation-type) committee that we’d just started in the fall when we learned about the National Fitness Challenge from USABA. We thought it’d be perfect. The Challenge gave us that direction and framework that we needed.
“We were kind of asking ourselves, ‘What should our purpose be?’ We didn’t get too far when the opportunity became available.”
House said the group just finished in third place for the third consecutive month with 29,344,859 steps in June.
“We’re proud of that, although we’d love to see the top two spots.”

A New Doctor in Our Midst
By Carol Coulter

Erin Joy Magoon was born in Grand Haven, Michigan to Stan and Lynda Magoon. Erin has one brother, Greg, who is four years older than her. Erin’s parents were Salvation Army Officers who are now retired, but because of their work Erin says she grew up all over the Midwest.    

As far as everyone could tell, Erin was never able to see very well out of her
right eye, and they had to enucleate it do to cancer when she was five months old. When she was twelve years old, one of her chemotherapy drugs had built up in Erin’s system and burned her from the inside out which burned her cornea in her other eye.

Because of the work that Erin’s parents did, her childhood was like that of many children living in a military family in regards to the moving from place to place. When she was ten months old they moved to St. Louis, Missouri.  Erin went to a public school there for kindergarten and first grade. Then they moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where they stayed until half way through her fourth-grade year. While in Kansas Erin also went to the Kansas State School for the Blind for half a day once a week.  She took swimming lessons, piano lessons, and Orientation and Mobility there. Erin also went to a special summer school while in Kansas where she learned such things as how to cook, run, and navigate "forests". Erin’s family moved to Chicago, Illinois long enough for her to finish the rest of fourth and all of fifth grade before they moved to West Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she attended sixth through ninth grade. At the end of her sixth-grade year, Erin was diagnosed with cancer again and was home schooled all through seventh grade. Erin’s next stop was Champaign, Illinois for tenth through twelfth grade and her first year of college and then back to Chicago for eight years. As you can see, Erin wasn’t kidding about growing up all over the Midwest.

Erin had always wanted to be a lawyer, so in 2004 she went to Valparaiso, Indiana for two years to attend a bricks and mortar law school.  Unfortunately, she got very sick while there and had to leave.

In 2006 Erin moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where once again she was diagnosed with cancer and spent the next year and a half fighting and recovering from the cancer.

Even though she moved around a lot, Erin still got involved in a few school activities. Erin said she belonged to choir in high school, even though she was not a very good singer. She also belonged to the Legal Animal Society and Christian Law Students. The Legal Animal Society was about preventing cruelty to animals, helping with no-kill shelters and providing knowledge about service animals.

Since Erin’s parents were in the Salvation Army she said, “I spent many Christmas's ringing bells”.  She also worked several summers in the Emergency Assistance program, helping with the food pantry, and seeing if people qualified for electric and rental assistance.  Erin recently spent nine months interning at the Southwest Center for Independent Living. She helped with advocating for and against legislation, assisted with IEP's, and guardianship cases and a variety of other such things.
In 2008 Erin went to the Kansas Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and
Visually Impaired for about ten months. She learned computers skills and how to cook more like an adult.
In August of 2009 Erin moved to Springfield, Missouri and is still there today.

Erin decided to go back to law school in 2013. After looking into several schools, she decided to attend an online law school. Missouri told her that they would accept the online law degree, so in June of 2014 she embarked on the four-year journey that would enable her to fulfill her dream. However, the American Bar Association decided late last year that the individual states could make their own decision, and Missouri decided that they would not accept online law schools. Erin had to change her degree from a Juris Doctor, to an Executive Juris Doctor in January and graduated in July of this year. 
Erin sad, “I just graduated from Law School with my Executive Juris Doctor after several years of being postponed on fulfilling my dream due to illness. So, I am now a Doctor.” Erin, I believe I can safely speak on behalf of the Missouri Affiliate and say congratulations, we are so proud of you for not giving up your dream. You will be our come to person with legal questions so be ready.
As far as any traveling, Erin said, “I went on a cruise to Mexico, Honduras, and Belize with Robin Sweitzer about six months before she died, that is an awesome memory for me”.  Her family is also planning a Panama Canal Cruise in November. 

Erin loves to read, play games, and hang out with her friends.  She also enjoys
going for walks with her guide dog Nelson, going out to eat, and going to the movies.

Erin is currently the secretary/treasurer of the Springfield Chapter of the NFB and is corresponding secretary of the Missouri affiliate. She is also on various committees and chairs our resolutions committee. I feel we are very fortunate to have Doctor Erin Magoon as a member and leader of the NFB. Erin has demonstrated her strength and determination through her multiple battles with cancer and attaining her dream of becoming a lawyer. Erin, thank you for being an example to us all.  

Hurricane Harvey Relief
The following is an email that was sent out by President Mark Riccobono. I am including it in the newsletter for those who may not have receive it. 

Dear Federation Members:
 
During the past week, many members of the National Federation of the Blind have reached out with offers of support for blind individuals impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We have been asking that you hold those offers of support until we could coordinate with our Texas Affiliate, determine what needs exist, and develop a plan that most effectively marshals resources to meet the needs of blind people in impacted communities. We are now prepared to mobilize the National Federation of the Blind’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Below are the things you need to know and ways that you can best help.
•	The National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project will be managed by Norma Crosby, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. Norma will be assisted by our national staff as needed. 
•	How you can help: 
o	Donate to our Harvey Relief Fund which we commit to only using for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. We will accept: 
•	Gift cards to major retailers, because they are easier to share than supplies. We encourage gift cards from Target, Walmart, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Amazon, and Bed Bath and Beyond. 
•	Transportation credits/gift cards for Uber and Lyft to provide transportation assistance. 
•	Financial contributions either online (be sure to write “Harvey Relief Fund” in the note field) or write a check to the National Federation of the Blind of Texas with “Harvey Relief Fund” in the memo line. 
o	Adopt a family: If you would like us to match your affiliate/chapter with a specific family that you can help, please reach out to Norma Crosby. 
o	Help us find families that include blind individuals by sharing the following information via email or on social media: 
§  The National Federation of the Blind wants to help! If you, or a blind person you know has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, please reach out to the National Federation of the Blind for support from our Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Call (281) 968-7733, email ncrosby@nfbtx.org, or send us a message on our Facebook page.

§  Here is a sample tweet you can cut and paste into Twitter: 
If a blind person you know has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, email the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Project ncrosby@nfbtx.org or DM @NFB_Voice. 
 
Send all donations to the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to: National Federation of the Blind of Texas, 1600 E. Highway 6, Ste. 215, Alvin, TX 77511-2595. We appreciate the tremendous concern and offers of support being offered by members and friends of the National Federation of the Blind. We thank you for being patient as we determine where the needs exist and work to match resources with the people that need help. Together with love, hope, and determination, we will rebuild and transform our dreams into reality.
 
Thank You,
 
Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind
 
Norma Crosby, President
National Federation of the Blind of Texas  

2018 Convention Announcement
By Gene Coulter

The 2018 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be hosted by our Jefferson City Chapter from Thursday April 5 through Sunday April 8 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel located at 415 West McCarty Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. To make room reservations call, 1-573-635-1234; reservations must be made by March 6. The reservation rates are $89.00 per night plus 14.725% tax for up to four in a room, for either a king bed or two queen beds. We have also been offered suites with a king bed and sofa bed for $109.00 per night plus tax.
 The prices listed below are tentative and will be finalized by October 1, 2017. Mail-in pre-registration must be post marked by March 25, and when available, on-line pre-registration will be open until March 25. Note that there will be extra charges for both registering and meals if they are purchased at the convention. 
The cost of pre-registration is $15.00. Meals purchased prior to the deadline will cost: prayer breakfast $12.00, Friday lunch $15.00, Saturday lunch $15.00, and our banquet $35.00. Exhibits remain $35.00 and requests must be post marked by March 25. Child Care is also unchanged at $30.00 for the first child and $20.00 for each additional child.  Registration and payment for child care must be postmarked prior to the deadline which is March 15.
Regular registration at convention will be $20.00 and meals will cost: prayer breakfast $15.00, Friday lunch $18.00, Saturday lunch $18.00, and our banquet $40.00.
More details will be provided soon.

PLEDGE OF THE
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind: to support the policies and programs of the Federation and to abide by its Constitution.

Schedule of Upcoming Events
Below is a listing of upcoming events for 2017 – 2018. These are provided here for your reference and planning. Other events will be added as they are scheduled.

September 17    St. Louis Paralympic Day at Missouri School for the Blind (An
                          activity of our National Fitness Challenge Missouri Team and
 the NFB of Missouri Sports and Recreation Committee) 9:30 am 
     4:00 pm

September 30   NFB of Missouri State Board Meeting Columbia, MO at Boone 
                         Electric 1413 Range Line Street from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. 
    Columbia Chapter Picnic Albert Oakland Park, 1900 Blue Ridge
    Rd.  immediately following the board meeting (RSVP)
 	
October 8	   NFB Jefferson City Chapter Walk for Opportunity McKay Park
          	             2:00 – 5:00 pm

October 28	   Columbia Chapter Trivia Night 2615 Shepard Blvd. Doors open at 
                       5:30 pm and Trivia starts at 6:30 pm.

2018 Important Dates
January 13	 NFB of Missouri State Board Meeting Jefferson City 10:00 am –  
                     4:00 pm

January 29- February 1	Washington Seminar Great Gathering In takes place 
                                          January 29 at 5:00 pm

April 6-8	NFB of Missouri Annual State Convention Capitol Plaza Hotel,
                     Jefferson City, MO

July 3-8	National Federation of the Blind National Convention
Board of Directors
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri

Officers:
Shelia Wright, President			           Julie McGinnity, First Vice President 
Gene Fleeman, Second Vice President           Dacia Cole, Recording Secretary
Erin Magoon, Corresponding Secretary         Carol Coulter, Treasurer

Board Members:
Eugene Coulter 		Roger Crome	                      Jenny Carmack
Amy Wilson		          Chris Tisdal		 	            Melissa Kane
Daniel Garcia	          President Emeritus, Gary Wunder

Chapter Presidents
Debbie Wunder, Columbia                  		   Helen Parker, South Central
Melissa Kane, Jefferson City	        		   Ben Vercellone, Springfield
Ruby Polk, Kansas City          			   Chris Tisdal, Lewis and Clark	  
Roger Crome, Mineral Area Chapter                Dan Keller, Show-Me State Chapter
Amy Wilson, Old Drum Chapter

Blind Missourian Editor Carol Coulter
Proof Readers Helen Stevens, Shelia Wright, and Gary Wunder
Read by Elisabeth Coulter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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