[Ohio-talk] What a convention, my experience and my thanks

[Cheryl Fields]

and this is what it is all about, tissues please! Cheryl


On 11/14/16, Jim Weiss via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good Monday fellow Federationists,
> Wow!, Wow! and Wow! are the first 3 words that I can use to describe this
> years convention.  As a first time convention attendee I will admit that I
> had a “low expectation”, but soon after arriving you “raised my
> expectations”.  This was truly a well orchestrated series of events,
> assembled by very well organized individuals who happen to share a common
> denominator of visual impairment.
> Once the President’s gavel fell and the convention was underway I learned
> that there was more than 40 other people who may be experiencing first time
> convention jitters, I was not fully comprehending in my mind that I was in a
> room full of blind people… I wasn’t the odd man out.
> During the first General Session Dr. Peters’ words truly had a “Positive”
> affect on me and opened my mind so much wider and helped me to truly absorb
> everything that I was going to experience over the course of the weekend.
> By noon on Friday I had met no fewer than 10 new people and had made plans
> to go to dinner with fellow Federationists.
> On Saturday I made my way to the Exhibition Hall after General Session and
> was a bit overwhelmed upon first entry, I almost turned around and retreated
> but quickly reminded myself why I was in attendance.  I reminded myself of
> the words that Jordy Stringer just led us in saying: “…   blindness is not
> the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles…
> blindness is not what holds you back.” and if I don’t believe these words
> then I need to just go home.
> The Exhibitor’s Hall was bustling with people, but I made my way to the
> tables that I wanted to visit and was successful in obtaining the
> information that I desired.
> My only regret is I did not attend the banquet on Saturday evening, but I
> will not make that same mistake again, I promise.
> I want to thank my Federation family for welcoming me with open arms and I
> am already looking forward to seeing everyone next year in Columbus.
> I walked away from this convention with a renewed sense of ability and
> being, “I CAN live the life I want”!  I made a commitment to myself that I
> will be fluent in Braille by next years convention (I may not be the
> fastest, but I will be fluent).  To steal some of Dr. Peters’ words I will
> use my “time” and God given “talent” to expand my “treasure” and refuse to
> be Braille illiterate any longer.
> I personally want to say “Thank you” to everyone who contributed to making
> this such a wonderful convention and I want you to know that you had a
> “Positive” impact on my life.  I woke up this morning with a purpose, a real
> sense of being and a direction in my life.  And next year I honestly hope
> that I have to request vacation time from my employer in order to attend the
> 71st NFB State of Ohio Affiliate Convention in Columbus.
> God has provided me the “Time” and “Talent” for me to develop my “Treasure”
> to be the best Federationist I can be and I desire to “Go out and build the
> Federation”!
> Sincerely,
> Jim Weiss
> Cuyahoga County Chapter
> jimweiss72 at icloud.com
> 216-854-9748
> “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer
> yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you
> know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go…” | Dr. Seuss
> _______________________________________________
> Ohio-Talk mailing list
> Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Ohio-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org/cherylelaine1957%40gmail.com