[Ohio-talk] Standing Up for What We Believe

[COLLEEN ROTH]

Hello Fellow Federationists,
I understand that it is easier to go with the flow. I thought I was at the point in my life when I could just sit down quietly and support others without having to be blunt and get some people annoyed.
However, I cannot do this.
In 2011 I was going to be introduced to a group of Religious Sisters and Associates in Tiffin, Ohio The person who was going to introduce me wanted to say that I am a person who is blind.
I felt and still feel so strongly about this that I told her I could not become a Tiffin Franciscan Associate if I could not be inqoduced as a Blind Person.
Blindness is an integral part of who I am. I have learned in the ARFB that it is resptable to be blind. It is also respectable to have other disabilities.
I would never say I grumble about something. I simply am going where I would rather not tread.
When we write or present materials in the name of this organization i strongly believe that we should follow the example of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan.
When we talk to families will can be gentle and help them to get to where we are.
However we should never go back. 
We are proud members of the National Federation of the Blind.
Just because I say this doesn't mean that I his somebody over the head when I talk to them about their child.
We should always encourage parents and others to look at the strengths of any child or serson they serve no matter who physically or mentally challenged they are.
When we want services we are willing to say that we have a disability.
Many people have disabilities. Some are obvious and some are not.
I think an article talking about interaction with families which helps them to learn to find their child's strengths would be a great next stop.
Colleen Roth
President,
At Large Chapter
NFB of Ohio