[NFBF-L] Braille monitor article

[townsend.lcsw at gmail.com]

Greetings:

I recall in the 1970s, while a grad student doing field work, I met a blind man at a hospital’s lunch counter several times.  He described blind people as either “super blind” or “normal blind.”  I had been involved with the NFB largely through the Braille Monitor and a small student division in Boston.  Although he was working at the hospital as an X-ray tech and working out on his treadmill, he considered himself as “normal” and me as “super” as I was living independently and moving forward towards a career.  I considered him as more than normal as he knew and used braille, had an exercise routine and a job.  I was inspired by him and ended up running in 5 NYC marathons, learning braille and obtaining jobs.

As a psychotherapist, I have frequently been inspired by my clients, we never know who might be inspired by us.

'Live the life you want,' is based on the concept that virtually anything we dream can come true.  It sounds a lot like the ‘American Dream.’  I like it much. 




JD Townsend, LCSW
Helping the Light Dependent to See.
Daytona Beach, Florida

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sherri Brun via NFBF-L
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 12:29 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sherri Brun <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-L] Braille monitor article

Andy, I appreciate your well-stated ideas! I especially liked the part that mentioned that we often allow ourselves to be affected by the stereotypes society place on us. Thank you.

Sherri

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 15, 2020, at 8:19 PM, DENISE VALKEMA via NFBF-L <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Posted for Andy
> 
> 
> [NFBF-Leaders] Braille Monitor article
> 
> Dear Colleagues
> To me, our tagline, 'Live the life you want,' means breaking free of 
> stereotypes and limitations imposed by Society and yes, even the 
> internalization of these stereotypes and limitations which we too 
> often impose on ourselves. It is an affirmative message, a potent 
> antidote, which counters the negativity we often experience when 
> asserting our equality with our sighted peers or when setting a course 
> for ourselves, whether it be in the workforce or in society at large.
> 
> Andrew C. (ANDY) Rood
> President
> Greater Jacksonville Chapter
> NFB of Florida
> 
> —-
> Denise Valkema, President  National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> (305)972-8529
> president at nfbflorida.org
> www.nfbflorida.org
> Follow us @nfbflorida
> You can live the life you want.
> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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