[NFBP-Talk] Life updates!

[Sadie McFarland]

Good evening, Federation family!

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates and reconnect with the community.

During convention, I shared with many of you that I had taken on a new role as a front desk clerk at the Homewood Suites Downtown Pittsburgh. This role has been a huge blessing, but also brought some incredibly difficult challenges, both physically and accessibility wise. Between standing on my feet for 40 hours a week and dealing with Hilton’s property management system, which for some reason doesn’t have accessibility features built in, I’ve found this role just isn’t quite the fit I need long-term.

With that in mind, I am excited to share that I will soon be transitioning into a new role with Blink Health as a Patient Support Specialist. This position is based in the Carnegie area and begins July 27. It is a call center role that offers a seated, more accessible work environment and a stronger foundation for long-term career growth. I am grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to this next chapter.

Before starting this role, I also have the opportunity to serve at Passion Camp in Daytona Beach, Florida this summer. This will be my third year serving at Passion Camp, which brings together thousands of middle and high school students and their leaders each year. I will be serving alongside a large team of volunteers supporting that experience.

Beyond the service itself, one of the most meaningful parts of this opportunity is the chance to engage in conversations around disability, access, and advocacy. Some of the most impactful discussions I’ve had in past years have centered not only on encouragement and faith, but also on navigating life as a blind person, self-advocacy, and learning how to thrive in environments that are not always designed with us in mind.

I’m excited for this upcoming week of service, and there are two ways you can get involved if you would like to support this work.

1. Bracelet Donations
Last year, I helped distribute rubber-band bracelets at camp, and they quickly became a meaningful and popular encouragement item for students. This year, I’m hoping to expand that effort by gathering as many handmade bracelets as possible ahead of time.

If you are interested in contributing, I would love to connect. I am happy to meet in person when possible, or arrange mailing if that is easier. If anyone is interested in helping but unsure how to make them, I’m also happy to share a simple tutorial.

2. Financial Support
As many of us know, travel can be expensive—especially when you’re blind or low vision. Between transportation, accessibility considerations, and the added planning that often comes with independent travel, the costs can add up quickly.

If you would like to support this effort financially, you may do so through my GoFundMe:

https://gofund.me/13db843e6

For those who prefer not to use GoFundMe, I also accept direct contributions via:

Cash App: $SadieMcFarland

Venmo: @sadiemc01

PayPal: @sadiemc01

Please know there is absolutely no expectation or pressure to contribute. Your encouragement, prayers, and continued connection within this community are equally meaningful to me.

I also want to acknowledge that I’ve been fairly quiet over the past stretch when it comes to staying actively involved with the Pittsburgh chapter and broader organizing efforts. Life became very full, and I simply didn’t have the capacity I would have liked to give.

That said, I deeply appreciate this community and I am looking forward to reconnecting in a more intentional way. I’m also looking forward to attending convention in Hershey this year.

With a more stable work schedule ahead, I’m hopeful that I can begin to re-engage more consistently and contribute to strengthening the presence and engagement of the NFB of Pennsylvania community in Pittsburgh.

Have a blessed evening!

Blessings, 
Sadie M. McFarland
Owner at Beautifully Blind Art By Sadie
B. S. Marketing, Messiah University
sadiemc01 at gmail.com
(740) 827-5613
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