[NFBSea] Helping each other during difficult times

[Marci Carpenter]

Greetings,

We in the National Federation of the Blind are like an extended family. We celebrate births, marriages and other accomplishments and mourn those we have lost. We come together at chapter meetings, on phone calls and at conventions. When one of us needs help with something there are always others willing to assist. Working together is the foundation of our movement.

During this COVID 19 pandemic, when we are asked to stay home and not gather in person, there will be members in our organization and other blind people who will need our help. Let’s be there for each other now. If you know a blind person who is in a more at risk category please check in with them. I don’t know about all of you but right now I really appreciate phone conversations because I can hear the voices of my family and friends. Some people may prefer contact via email, text or social media. 

We can also help those who need resources. If anyone reading this message needs help connecting with local resources in your area please contact me and I will be more than happy to help you find what you need. If you know someone who is in need of groceries or other supplies but who cannot go out because they are at higher risk of contracting this virus, and you or someone you know can run that errand for them, I encourage you to do that.

I am one of those people who is at higher risk of contracting this coronavirus because I have asthma and I’m 60 years old. Both Raymond and I have been running low-grade fevers for the last few days. We are OK. We have both been in contact with our doctors and have been instructed to stay in, or as it is referred to now, “self quarantine”. We have friends and family who have gone to the grocery store and pharmacy for us. I have appreciated talking with several of you during this time and I will be calling to check in on more of our members in the days to come.

Last night we had our monthly conference call for the Board of Directors of the NFB of Washington. We shared stories, encouraged one another, and are continuing the work of the Federation.

Blind people continue to experience discrimination. During this time that discrimination may take new forms. If you are experiencing any problems with accessing information from schools or government entities please contact me.

One of the things we can do right now is contact our Members of Congress about cosponsoring our national legislation. Later today I will be sending out information about the status of our bills, the cosponsors we have secured so far and ways we can help gain more cosponsors. 

Our affiliate has a Zoom account for holding remote meetings of the Federation. If your chapter, division or board would like to hold a meeting by conference call we can help you set that up. Kris Colcock, NFB of Washington 1st Vice President, is the person in charge of our Zoom service. You can contact her at kris at colcock.com to help set up your meeting.

Our organization is founded on love, hope and determination. Helping blind people to live the lives we want may take a different form than usual right now, but we continue to focus on our core values. in fact, for me, those values are even more important now than ever. I gain strength through my connections with President Riccobono, our national leadership and with all of you.

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Contact me if I can be of any help. We can help each other get through this difficult time and can strengthen our bonds in the National Federation of the Blind.

Marci Carpenter, President
National Federation of the Blind of Washington
206-604-5507
mjc59 at comcast.net

The National Federation of the Blind of Washington is a community members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people. Every day we work hard to help blind  people live their lives they want.


Sent from Marci's iPhone