[Nfbf-l] NFB: fundamentals of blindness

Wed Jun 18 10:41:39 UTC 2014

Well said. 
We have a chapter, The Statewide chapter, for people who don't have a chapter in their area, who can't get to their chapter or who want to support a small chapter grow and develop into what it can be. 
Jordan, we meet on the phone once a month for our meetings. Typically it's the third Sunday of the month from 8-10 pm. The dues are $10 a year. If you are interested I will place the call in info in this email.
Call:  tel:(605) 475-4700 the conference code is: 800550#.
We will be having a meeting on this Sunday night since last Sunday was Fathers Day, we rescheduled our meeting. 
Some of the skills you ask about are discussed at the rehab center, but there are classes you can take from Hadley School for the Blind, free, that address many of these topics. 
Holly

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 18, 2014, at 5:41 AM, Marion Gwizdala via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Jordan,
>    I realize that many who are not familiar with the NFB have some
> preconceived notions about who we are and what we stand for. I am of the
> opinion that these myths and misconceptions are promulgated by those in
> whose best interests it is to tell such untruths. The reality is that the
> NFB does have some very strong, independent individuals who strive to make
> their lives and the lives of other blind people better through a positive
> understanding that blindness is one of many characteristics we possess. We
> believe that blindness is only one of those characteristics and is not
> necessarily the one that defines us. We believe it is our personal
> responsibility to obtain the proper training that will allow us to make our
> own way in the world and that a fundamental shift in consciousness is the
> essential element for living the life we all want and deserve. We are not
> all superblind; we are simply blind people living our hopes and dreams like
> every other individual, bound and determined to not let blindness stand in
> the way of achieving our dreams.
> 
>    We do not look down on those who have not yet discovered the truth
> about themselves as blind people. In fact, we seek them out to share the
> liberating message of our beliefs and put our philosophy into practical
> application. For the most part, we are not arrogant, egotistical individuals
> who care little about others; we are passionate, caring individuals working
> diligently to make the lives of the blind better.
> 
>    It is my personal passion to share this belief with anyone who will
> listen and accept this truth for themselves. The paradigm shift is not
> instantaneous; it is a process - a path to follow. The fact of my process is
> that I am not yet there nor do I believe I will ever get there. Once I
> achieve a goal, my goal changes to something higher. I am on a journey that
> really has no end, filled with excitement and adventure.
> 
>    Along my path, I have met others, both blind and sighted who say I
> am extraordinary. I do not believe I am extraordinary as a blind person; I
> believe this statement is based upon the stereotypical way others expect a
> blind person to be. Since I do not fit into the stereotype, I am
> extraordinary. My affiliation with the national Federation of the blind has
> demonstrated the falsity of the stereotype and the truth of the Federation's
> philosophy.
> 
>    It is unfortunate that you will not be able to attend convention.
> When you do have the opportunity, it will be the life-changing experience it
> is for everyone who attends. There you will see blind people helping other
> blind people stretch and grow. You will find blind people showing other
> blind people a better white cane and a better way to use it. You will find
> blind people teaching other blind people Braille and telling them that, even
> if they only learn the basics, it is another skill that affords them a
> little more independence. You will find blind people sharing with other
> blind people how they perform the jobs many think are out of reach for the
> blind and instilling hope and confidence. You will find blind people helping
> other blind people and this is not the way those who are portrayed by those
> who say we are radical, self-serving, arrogant, and egotistical behave. This
> is because we are not those people! 
> 
>    I am open and available to chat, if you wish. You can reach me by
> email or you are welcome to give me a call. My contact information is below
> my signature.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> 
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> (888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
> President at nagdu.org
> http://www.nagdu.org
> 
> High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jordan
> Norregaard via Nfbf-l
> Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 2:07 AM
> To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Nfbf-l] NFB: fundamentals of blindness
> 
> I have received emails recently about the NFB at large, and what it means to
> be a federationist.  These are only my opinions and impressions, and may be
> absolutely wrong--everyone is entitled to an opinion!
> 
> First off, I'd like to discuss reaching out to the masses.  All blind people
> could use a bit of a helping hand, or advice from time to time.
> I'll give a true example.  I'm not going to convention this year, but I did
> see a restaurant with a buffet.  I am totally blind, and I'm wondering how
> someone would manage a buffet?  Are their any special techniques to know?
> Can a totally blind person navigate a buffet unaided, or would this be one
> of those times to ask for sighted help?
> Since I truly don't know these answers, I'd like the advice, but am afraid
> to ask.  Most federationists are already top-notch independent, and know a
> ton of skills, and have had people who guided them on their way properly.
> If I ask these questions, would I be looked down upon?
> Would you consider me an ignorant idiot?  Truly, no offense, but its a
> general assumtion from quite a few people I know, that federationists are
> somewhat arrogant and have their noses in the air.  Reaching out to the
> masses means sometimes going back to the fundamentals of blindness
> adaptations, social skills, table manners, social manners in general and the
> like.  The newly blinded may have trouble with the little things we're so
> use to doing for ourselves, I.E. cutting food, identifying food on a plate,
> Etc.  I'm surprised someone hasn't thought to make a discrete website for
> this stuf...I could use some of it!  Just make a good website with the
> ettiquet stuff, o&m techniques, cane travel...basicly all the basics.
> 
> I'll give one heck of an embarrassing example.  If it takes me
> humiliating myself to start a movement, so be it!   I was living alone
> for about 9 months, diong college courses.  Of course, I was eating food,
> and didn't care about table manners--who's gonna watch me eat?
> I didn't realize I fell back into  some terrible habbits--using fingers
> instead of a fork or a piece of bread, generally eating too fast Etc. It
> appeared as if I was shoveling in the food!  So, what if an adult needs
> well...a bit of re-education, or a brush-up on skills?
> Usually, family and friends would do this, but I can give instances where my
> mom has flat out lied to me about things--what is the proper way to take
> food off a scure? I'm sure my adapted method was terribly wrong, but I guess
> my mom didn't want to embarrass me...but, I knew on some level that it was,
> in fact, wrong!  I'm not wanting to hear, "your doing it fine," when I know
> that's not the truth, it simply makes me more humiliated when I did find out
> how to actuallly unscure food  properly!!!  I'd rather go to a  discrete
> website about this stuf...its private, no one knows but me!...and I'm
> guaranteed to get a true answer from someone who knows what he's doing.
> 
> One more bad habbit, eating all of one food before switching to another
> food--ok ok, how do sighted people manage?  I was never correct on this
> behavior, till I read a future reflections magazine telling me it was
> unmannerly to do so.  If I ask my mom, would I get the truth or a lie?  I'd
> rather hear the truth, although I might not want to hear it.
> 
> In summary, let's go back to basics, make a website for the little stuff us
> blind people miss, or take for granted as stuff we already know--some of us
> don't have the fonts of knowledge and experience most federationists have.
> "Its OK to ask questions, we don't bite, or judge."
> 
> Jordan
> 
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