[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1727

[David Houck]

September 18, 2019

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1727

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              Hello from Rocky Bottom where Shelley and I are participating
in a week long training program for seniors sponsored by the National
Federation of the Blind Seniors Division.  Shelley and I traveled to Rocky
Bottom on Saturday, September 14, to do some last minute preparation prior
to the start of the program which began on Sunday, September, 15, and will
conclude on Saturday, September 21.  Thirteen seniors representing nine
states (Michigan, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, Georgia,
Arkansas, and Tennessee) are learning blindness skills such as: cane travel,
Braille, home management, organizational skills, and assistive technology.
These seniors are wearing learning shades while learning these skills and
they are participating in daily group discussions which are designed to
reinforce appropriate choices when encountering a variety of blindness
issues.  This is the second consecutive year a training program of this type
is being offered at Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC is very excited and
honored to host such a program to blind seniors from across the country
again this year.  It is my hope this important program occurring this week
will lead to other national divisions and state affiliates of the NFB to
utilize Rocky Bottom for workshops, meetings and future training programs.  

              On Thursday, September 5, President Riccobono sent out an
email to state presidents which reads as follows: "Dear Affiliate
Presidents,  

              Yesterday a popular morning radio show called Breakfast Club
attacked the capacity of blind people to supervise children. We know
perpetuating misconceptions like that harms our community, particularly the
rights of blind parents. Below is the link to the episode. For reference,
it's a topic that is ongoing throughout the episode. 

 
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-breakfast-club-24992238/episode/blind-bab
ysitter-8881600/?campid=homepage_featured_shows&pname=0&cid=%2Fpodcasts%2F

              We cannot let them use their public forum to jeopardize the
rights of blind parents and their families. They have millions of
subscribers and followers. They say they are willing to learn, so let's
educate them. 

              Let them know how blind people care for children, particularly
if you are a blind parent. Connect with them on social media
(@breakfastclubam) or call 800-585-1051." 

               The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day, we raise
the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams.  You can live the life you want:
blindness is not what holds you back.  Joining me for comments in this
Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr.
Capps.  

              I note that the 2020 NFB convention will be held in Houston,
Texas.  The 1971 NFB convention was held in Houston and it was the first
time the NFB of SC sponsored its first bus trip which enhanced our national
convention attendance.  Some years ago, my nephew (my sister's son)
graduated from Mullins High School and later graduated from Vanderbilt Law
School in Nashville.  Upon graduation my nephew was offered a very
attractive position with a prominent law firm in Houston and to the best of
my knowledge, he continues to practice law in Houston.  I believe the 2020
NFB convention will be a good one.  While I was fortunate to be present in
1971, this will not be the case in 2020.  The national office is very
careful in selecting the NFB convention sites.  In this Positive Note I know
that some of you would like to know the locations of the NFB conventions
throughout the years.  Some of the convention cities are as follows:  San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Santa Fe,
Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Miami, Orlando,
Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Louisville, Nashville, Boston, Baltimore,
Atlanta, Columbia, SC, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Washington, DC,
and there may be others but this is a pretty good listing.  Some conventions
have been located in the same location throughout the years.  Perhaps in
next week's Positive Note I will have other NFB convention cities.  Also in
the future we might list the different state conventions held throughout
South Carolina.  I realize that many have traveled to several of these NFB
conventions but there may be newer NFB members who do not fall into this
category.

 

Final Thought:   Transforming our dreams into reality:  When others put up
barriers to success for blind persons, we must react quickly to prevent them
from  not turning our dreams into reality.

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