[Nfbf-l] NFBF President
Sherri
flmom2006 at gmail.com
Mon Apr 27 19:25:36 UTC 2009
Very well said Marion. Wish I were so eloquent. *smile.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 1:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] NFBF President
> Craig,
> The National Federation of the Blind of Florida has been evolving into
> the leading force in the affairs of the blind of Florida and in the
> nation! I believe it is due to our remaining steadfast and true to the
> guiding principles of our philosophy and its practical application into
> our initiatives. I feel as if the organized blind of Florida are at the
> dawn of a new era in our development. Your experience, expertise, and
> influence are elements that can thrust us forward exponentially in this
> evolution. As the President of the East Hillsborough Chapter and delegate
> to the Nominating Committee, I pledge my support of your candidacy and
> will encourage others to support you, as well!
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala-Schoch
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "craig kiser" <sckiser55 at earthlink.net>
> To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 9:32 AM
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] NFBF President
>
>
>> I am announcing my candidacy for President of the National Federation
>> of the Blind of Florida. I was saddened by President Kathy Davis'
>> decision not to seek another term. Kathy has been a strong and able
>> advocate for the blind and a true and loyal Federationist. I believe I
>> have the ability to continue building and strengthening our affiliate
>> into one of the NFB's best.
>> My association with the NFB goes back 40 years to my experience as a
>> student at the Iowa Commission for the Blind when Dr. Kenneth Jernigan
>> was its director. Learning at the foot of the Master, I gained a deep
>> and abiding understanding of blindness, discrimination, stereotypes and
>> the low self-esteem they produce in blind people. I learned that
>> teaching the skills of blindness is not enough to gain independence.
>> Though these techniques are essential, their value is diminished without
>> 2 more factors-adjustment to blindness and public awareness of the true
>> nature of blindness, unsullied by stereotypes and assumptions based on
>> ignorance.
>> Until a blind person properly adjusts to being blind that person is
>> likely to have low self-esteem because one tends to accept common
>> stereotypes and public beliefs, notwithstanding obvious facts to the
>> contrary. Everyone knew the Earth was flat and many continued believing
>> it even after Christopher Columbus proved it round.
>> Adjustment to blindness isn't simply accepting the fact that one is
>> blind. It involves accepting and truly believing that blindness can be
>> reduced to more of a nuisance than an absolute block to accomplishing
>> whatever one desires of life. A gut level belief that blindness is much
>> akin to other nuisances such as being left-handed, wearing glasses, being
>> too tall, too short, too heavy or too thin. It is believing and carrying
>> out our lives without constantly questioning our ability to do what we
>> want, when we want and in a manner at least as as efficient as our
>> sighted counterparts. Believing independence is our God-given right.
>> Public awareness of the true nature of blindness is our responsibility.
>> If we don't want government or the public to limit our freedom, we must
>> educate them, in a non-threatening way about the true abilities and
>> competence of the blind.
>> Throughout the 40 years since leaving the Iowa Commission for the Blind
>> I have tried to conduct myself in accordance with the above principles.
>> Whether it was in my career as an attorney, as City Attorney for
>> Davenport, Iowa, General Counsel for the Florida Department of Banking
>> and Finance, practicing before every level of court from County Court to
>> Appellate Court, the Florida Supreme Court or the U. S. Supreme Court,
>> I never shirked my responsibilities because I am blind. As Deputy
>> Comptroller of Florida I was the primary regulator of banking, finance
>> companies, the sale of securities and cemeteries. As Director of the
>> Division of Blind Services I infused these principles into every aspect
>> of the division. I took what was commonly viewed as one of the least
>> effective agencies for the blind in the country and made it one of the
>> top 5 in just 6 years. This I did with the support and assistance of the
>> organized blind. It couldn't have been done without the NFB-BOTH
>> nationally and especially the NFB of Florida.
>> I want now to devote my time and energy to continuing the work of the
>> Federation. We have much to do and I want to lead the NFBF in making a
>> difference. Together we can move mountains. We can change the thinking
>> of government and the public so accessibility will not be an
>> afterthought, but will be a part of planning any construction project or
>> software program. We can better our transportation situation. We can
>> convince educators that Braille is essential. Full independence for the
>> blind truly is within our grasp. I want to take us there, so I am
>> asking for your support for Craig Kiser as President of the National
>> Federation of the Blind of Florida. Thank you.
>> Craig Kiser
>> 256 Cocoa Lane,
>> Venice, Florida 34293
>> 941 244-0236 home
>> 850 345-9122 cell
>> sckiser55 at earthlink.net
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Nfbf-l mailing list
>> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Nfbf-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/swampfox1833%40verizon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Nfbf-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/flmom2006%40gmail.com
More information about the NFBF-L
mailing list