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<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/nfb_logo_2.jpg" width=448 height=174 alt="National Federation of the Blind logo with tagline: Live the li">
<br>
<h1><b>Imagineering Our Future</b></h1><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b> Issue 92</b> <br>
<br>
<b>December 2016 </b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
We begin with a letter from our national President, Mark Riccobono. This
month we are sharing three newsletter articles with you. Harley Franklin
Fetterman was a wonderful young man and his mom was kind enough to share
his story. You will want to read about how much this inspirational man
accomplished. And the holidays are coming soon, so we tell you about our
Santa letters. We couldn't resist including a little on our Braille
Enrichment for Literacy and Learning Academies. We follow the articles
with a holiday wish from the National Federation of the Blind. And at the
end of the newsletter, you can find links to our calendar and happenings
at our NFB JerniganInstitute.<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<h2><b>Message from the President</b></h2><br>
<br>
Dear Friend,<br>
<br>
The holiday season always brings to mind familiar stories. Some stories
are about the little miracles that happen and others highlight the best
of the giving spirit that exists within each of us. The holidays are not
the only time when the evidence of this spirit is observed nor should it
be the only time we exercise the joy of giving and sharing. I have always
found the holidays to be a very reflective time to be thankful for all of
the people that have had a positive influence in my life, especially
during the recent year. I also enjoy that the holiday season brings out
beautiful stories that demonstrate the best of who we are and inspire us
to extend that giving spiritthrough the rest of the year.<br>
<br>
I feel blessed that I get to encounter many wonderful stories every day
through my membership in the National Federation of the Blind. Before I
knew the Federation, I did not know what I could do as a blind person or
how far I could extend my dreams. I first met the Federation twenty years
ago, and I have found myself being thankful during every holiday season
since that time and this year will be no different.<br>
<br>
I have been contributing to this newsletter since we started it back in
2008. In fact, nearly every month I find a story from my own life to
share. However, there are thousands of stories from members of the
Federation around the country that demonstrate the true impact of our
work. Therefore, we are going to focus our newsletter more on telling the
stories of the people impacted by the Federation. Our
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6171&qid=1485726">
<i>Braille Monitor</a></i>, our listservs, our social media,
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6172&qid=1485726">
our website</a>, and our other communication channels will continue to
keep you in the loop about the details of our work and upcoming events.
While we will continue to provide some information in this newsletter we
are going to tell more of the stories of influence, impact, and
inspiration that result from the work of the National Federation of the
Blind.<br>
<br>
As we come to the end of the year, I am pleased that we can share with
you the story of a young man who I was blessed to have touch my life.
Unfortunately he is no longer with us, but he gained a lot from our
organization in the short time he was a member and, in true Federation
spirit, he gave a lot back to blind people around the country.<br>
<br>
I warmly invite you to
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6174&qid=1485726">
contribute to our end-of-the-year giving drive</a> in order to help us
continue to have maximum impact on blind people across the country. More
importantly, I wish you a healthy and happy holiday season. I hope that
the coming year is your best yet, and I look forward to the new stories
of success we will have to share with you next year.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/MAR_signature.jpg" width=200 height=50 alt="Graphic: Signature of Mark Riccobono">
<br>
<br>
Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<h2><b>Harley Franklin Fetterman: Someone You Should Know</b></h2><br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind is blessed with thousands of
remarkable members. Harley Fetterman was one of them, but Harley was more
than remarkable. His short life was extraordinary. This article shares
some remembrances and honors a very special person.<br>
<br>
Many things should be said in memoriam of Harley, who passed away shortly
after graduating from high school at the age of eighteen from
complications stemming from a bone marrow transplant. Harley’s life
touched all of us. We have been and will continue to be enriched by his
active membership in the National Federation of the Blind.<br>
<br>
The first word that comes to mind when thinking about Harley is “kind.”
One of Harley’s classmates hated to go to school. This classmate may have
been bullied. He was developmentally delayed and therefore different. But
Harley took the time to speak with the boy and help him learn to shrug
off much of the teasing. In the card that Harley‘s mom, Beth Freeborn,
received after Harley’s death the boy’s parents expressed gratitude for
Harley’s chat. No one knows exactly what Harley said to this vulnerable
classmate, but the boy wanted to attend school after Harley reached out
to him with understanding and caring. Sick kids enjoyed listeningto
Harley play his guitar even while he was in the hospital coping with his
own illnesses.<br>
<br>
Another descriptor of young Mr. Fetterman is “persistent.” When he set
out to do something he did it. He wanted to learn music and to read
Braille music. Despite experiencing significant health problems, two
rounds of chemotherapy, and two years of dealing with surgeries including
brain surgery, Harley played at least four instruments by the age of
eighteen. He wanted to visit all fifty states by the age of ten. Mom said
that was not doable, but Harley did so before he turned eleven. He
repeatedly testified in the Texas House of Representatives in support of
initiatives dealing with blindness.<br>
<br>
Harley exhibited his intellect. He worked his way up to the top rankings
of readers during nine of eleven years in the Braille Challenge. He
pursued development of a tactile tablet and excelled at STEM2U, NFB-EQ,
and STEP programs. Before he passed away his dreams included obtaining a
degree from Texas A&M University. <br>
<br>
One of Harley’s claims to fame fits his funny and friendly personality.
He is the only one who has presented jokes twice on our monthly
Presidential Release. Contemporaries miss him. Precious Perez recalls
Harley in one of our programs, STEM2U, as funny and fun with a serious
philosophical underpinning: “a leader who listened.”<br>
<br>
Harley really “owned his blindness," says his mom. He thought that
losing his vision at five was an optimum time as he was just learning to
read.<br>
<br>
Harley delivered an oratory speech in high school entitled
“<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6193&qid=1485726">
Blindness Is Not Who I Am</a>.” In that speech Harley opined, “even
though blindness has affected me greatly, it is still just a
characteristic of mine.”<br>
<br>
Federation philosophy fit Harley like a glove. The National Federation of
the Blind helped him some in building the skills of blindness like cane
travel and Braille. His mother remembers that what Harley gained most
however from his membership in the Federation was confidence. The
opportunity to travel and to be surrounded by those who believed in his
capacity played a part in shaping this wonderful youth.<br>
<br>
Harley wanted to pay it forward. He benefitted from many mentors and he
mentored others in our STEM programs. Harley was taken too early and we
will miss him immensely. We mourn the fact that his future is not ours to
share. But we can keep Harley’s spirit alive. Federationists honor his
memory whenever we pay it forward. If Harley could join us, that is
exactly what he would be doing with his love, hope, determination, and
humor.<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<h2><b>Letters from Santa</b></h2><br>
<br>
Many of you already know that we have a letters from Santa initiative.
The goal is for Santa to write to blind kids in Braille. All one needs to
do is fill out a short form on behalf of a child under the age of ten,
and a letter will arrive from the North Pole. Stop for a minute though
and parse what that really means: a child who often is the only Braille
reader in their class, school, or even their county receives a letter
that he or she can read independently. No other human reader is
necessary. For a child who can feel different and alone this is a
wondrous thing. “I can read it. I can keep it. Santa understands.” See
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6173&qid=1485726">
https://nfb.org/santa-letters</a> for more information.<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<h2><b>Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning
Aftermath</b></h2><br>
<br>
We can all talk about our Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning
(BELL) Academies, which ran more than three thousand hours of instruction
this summer, but what does BELL mean for individual kids? BELL impacts
its students in many different ways. One twelve-year-old NFB BELL Academy
student reported that she enjoyed her first injury-free trick-or-treat
outing thanks to her long white cane. She was able to keep up with her
friends and enjoy the night with confidence in her ability to travel
independently and safely. Wow! We gift mobility one person at a
time.<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<h2><b>Happy Holidays</b></h2><br>
<br>
This is our December issue, and we wish all of you happy holidays. We
send love from our family to you and yours. We wish you the very best in
the new year. The National Federation of the Blind will move into the
next year with plans to help blind people like Harley. Our Santa Letters
and BELL Academies will change lives with love, hope, and
determination.<br>
<br>
Do you believe in our mission? Does our tagline, live the life you want,
inspire you? Do you expect the Federation to continue spreading our
message that blindness is not the characteristic that defines an
individual? If you do, we need your help. Please consider a gift to the
National Federation of the Blind. It is easy.<br>
<br>
To give online, visit
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6174&qid=1485726">
https://nfb.org/donate2016</a>, which will take you directly to a simple
form. To donate by mail, please send your check, made out to the National
Federation of the Blind, to:<br>
<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
Attention: Outreach<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
at Jernigan Place<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
<br>
Help us to help blind people live the lives they want. <br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/Divider.gif" width=243 height=2 alt="Graphic: section divider">
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6192&qid=1485726">
<h2><b>News from around the Federation</a></b></h2><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6194&qid=1485726">
Our tenBroek Library highlights the celebration of the holidays with
Kernel Book selections</a>.<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6195&qid=1485726">
It may only be the beginning of winter, but our access technology team is
always looking to the future</a>.<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6196&qid=1485726">
Our national certification of Braille transcribers program extends
congratulations to those recently certified</a>.<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6197&qid=1485726">
A variety of holiday gift selections is offered by the Independence
Market team</a>.<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6198&qid=1485726">
We moved our legislative agenda</a>. The long-awaited Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act Regulations are out. Now quiet cars will be safer for
all. These regulations especially impact the blind and cyclists. Their
legacy will be with us for decades to come.<br>
As you can see, the Federation continues our work every day.
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=6199&qid=1485726">
You can visit our calendar to track our upcoming events</a>.<br>
<br>
Thank you for reading <i>Imagineering Our Future</i>.<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4049&qid=692780">
<b>Make a Gift Today</a></b><br>
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<a href="#President">Back to Top</a><br>
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<b>Make a<br>
Gift Today</a></b><br>
<br>
<br>
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<b>To donate a vehicle to the NFB, call toll-free</b><br>
<b>(855) 659-9314</b><br>
<b>or visit our </b><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4051&qid=692780">
<b>vehicle donation</a><br>
page.</b><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b> To donate clothing or household items to the NFB, </b><br>
<b>visit </b><br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4052&qid=692780">
<b>www.nfbpickup.org/</a> </b><br>
<b>or call toll-free </b><br>
<b>(888) 610-4632</b><br>
<b>to schedule a pickup or to find drop locations.</b><br>
<br>
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<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/littlegirl-with-toy.jpg" width=153 height=115 alt="Photo: Father and Child">
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<b>If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe,
please email
<a href="mailto:JerniganInstitute@nfb.org.">JerniganInstitute@nfb.org.</a>
</b><br>
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<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/street_good_color.jpg" width=153 height=233 alt="Two people use their canes as they walk down the sidewalk.">
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<b><i>Please check with your company to see if it offers a matching
program that will match your gift.</i></b><br>
<br>
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<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/man-reading-menu.jpg" width=153 height=102 alt="A man uses alternative technologies to read a restaurant menu.">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Interesting links:</b><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4053&qid=692780">
Archive of Straight Talk About Vision Loss videos</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4054&qid=692780">
National Center for Blind Youth in Science</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4055&qid=692780">
Access Technology Tips</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4056&qid=692780">
TeachBlindStudents.org</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<img src="http://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/boy-leaves.jpg" width=153 height=203 alt="A young blind boy examines the leaves on a tree.">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>Blogs:</b><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4057&qid=692780">
Access Technology</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4058&qid=692780">
Voice of the Nation's Blind</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/image/jinewsletter/girls-braille.jpg" width=153 height=144 alt="A blind girl reads Braille to her older sister.">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Support the National Federation of the Blind through the
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4059&qid=692780">
Imagination
Fund</a>
<a href="http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4059&qid=692780">
<i>.</a></i></td></tr>
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<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
at Jernigan Place<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
United States<br>
(410) 659-9314
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