[Nfbwv-talk] Hall Of Honor Story

[Jack Yahnke]

Thanks, Karen.  It was an honor to be a very small part of his induction.

Jack Yahnke, Vice-president
Sightless Workers' Guild

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karen McDonald" <karen at eioproductions.com>
To: "NFB of WV Discussion List" <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 9:19 PM
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] Hall Of Honor Story


>I thought you all might want to see the front-page article from our local 
>newspaper, the Mineral Daily News Tribune.  I am sending this just as it 
>appeared on the newspaper's website.
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia got a new member in 
> 1969 - Edgar McDonald.  What they didn't know at the time was that they 
> had gained a loyal member who would bring about great change over the next 
> 44 years.  It is McDonald's hard work and dedication that recently earned 
> him an induction into the National Federation of the Blind's Hall of 
> Honors.  McDonald says the induction meant a lot to him because it is 
> people he has worked with and been friends with over the years who voted 
> him in.  "The fact that they think enough of me to vote for me means a 
> lot; it's significant," he said.  McDonald says it has meant a great deal 
> to him to be involved in the organization.  "I learned about being blind 
> as a political issue rather than a medical one," he said.  McDonald said 
> that he has tried to change social "barriers" and the public's view on the 
> blind.  "I came to understand that by talking to other blind people and 
> working collectively, you get more done.  "Getting more done is exactly 
> what McDonald has done in his years of service to the organization. 
> McDonald served as president of the West Virginia affiliate from 1991 to 
> 2002.  Under his leadership, Newsline for the Blind was brought to West 
> Virginia with the addition of the Huntington Herald Dispatch.  McDonald 
> was also a driving force in getting the Braille Bill pushed through the 
> West Virginia Legislature and signed into law.  McDonald also had the 
> distinction of serving on the national board of the National Federation of 
> the Blind form 1994 to 1997.  He currently serves as chairperson of the 
> Agency Partnership Committee and is also serving as the first 
> vice-president of the National Federation and as president of the Members 
> at Large Chapter.  "It's humbling in a way," says McDonald.  "But now that 
> I got that to live up to; if I don't step it up they might kick me out," 
> he laughts.  McDonald's nomination said he was an integral and essential 
> part of the Federation family and most deserving of the honor for changing 
> what it means to be blind.  For McDonald, that is just a part of everyday 
> life.  "I try to live my life in a way that says I am blind and still out 
> living my life.  "Being blind is a part of my life, a big part," says 
> McDonald, "but I am not a blind guy, I am a guy who happens to be blind."
>
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