[NFBWATLK] Mike Freeman

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all. I am keeping those of you who were close to Mike in my
thoughts. I think he touched many lives in the Federation. I first
started exploring the NFB when I was in high school, and before I was
able to attend many meetings in-person, I would participate on the
student list. I remember I used to try to "test" the NFB by posting
controversial views on the student list. I had heard that the NFB was
radical and militant, and I wanted to see what would happen if I
posted something that was inconsistent with the so-called "NFB way".
Mike was one of the moderators of the student list and he took the
time to respond to my posts, but never in a "militant" or
confrontational manner, he simply addressed my arguments with logic
and articulated his views and the reasons for them. It was because of
guys like Mike who were patient and understanding with me that I
eventually decided to give the organization a try. I met Mike at an
NFBWA convention in 2007, just before I graduated from college, and we
shared a good laugh about some of my posts from back then. I know we
will all miss his leadership and dedication.
Arielle

On 1/3/17, Robert Guyette via NFBWATLK <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Give him all the time I'm with you Marci. I'm keeping you in my prayers.
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> Get Outlook for iOS
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> On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 5:31 PM -0800, "Marci Carpenter via NFBWATLK"
> <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> Hello friends,
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> I am having a really hard time this week. On Christmas Eve I lost a very
> good friend, Mike Freeman. I spent most of last week calling and emailing
> others to let them know of Mike's death and taking care of some details. Now
> it is hitting me hard. Mike led the way on most pieces of state legislation
> creating and preserving rights for blind children and adults in the last 30
> years. He supported and taught me in many ways. He could be very gruff and
> sometimes disagreeable, but underneath he had such a big heart. I have met
> few people who truly believed in and cared about blind people as Mike did.
> He was always generous and supportive of me and others who were experiencing
> personal difficulties. It is going to be hard to be in Washington DC without
> him later this month. He attended every NFB Washington Seminar from the
> early eighties until last year when the snow kept him from going for the
> first time. I really need my Federation family right now. I really miss my
> friend.
>
> Marci
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