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</style> </head> <body> <div id="header"> <h1 class="title">The Braille Monitor,
July 2022</h1> </div> <h1 id="braille-monitor">BRAILLE MONITOR</h1> <p>Vol. 65,
No. 7 July 2022</p> <p><em>Gary Wunder, Editor</em></p> <p>Distributed by email,
in inkprint, in Braille, and on USB flash drive, by the</p> <p>NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND</p> <p>Mark Riccobono, President</p> <p>telephone: 410-659-9314</p>
<p>email address: <a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">nfb@nfb.org</a></p> <p>website
address: <a href="http://www.nfb.org">http://www.nfb.org</a></p> <p>NFBnet.org:
<a href="http://www.nfbnet.org">http://www.nfbnet.org</a></p> <p>NFB-NEWSLINE®
information: 866-504-7300</p> <p>Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</p>
<p>Follow us on Twitter: @NFB_Voice</p> <p>Watch and share our videos:
YouTube.com/NationsBlind</p> <p>Letters to the President, address changes,
subscription requests, and orders for NFB literature should be sent to the national
office. Articles for the <em>Monitor</em> and letters to the editor may also be
sent to the national office or may be emailed to gwunder@nfb.org.</p> <p><em>Monitor</em>
subscriptions cost the Federation about forty dollars per year. Members are invited,
and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription cost. Donations should be
made payable to <strong>National Federation of the Blind</strong> and sent to:</p>
<p>National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>200 East Wells Street <em>at Jernigan
Place</em><br /> Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998</p> <p><strong>THE NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND KNOWS THAT 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 BETWEEN BLIND PEOPLE AND OUR DREAMS. YOU CAN
LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT; BLINDNESS IS NOT WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND—IT IS THE BLIND
SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.</strong></p> <p><em>ISSN 0006-8829</em></p> <p>© 2022
by the National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>Each issue is recorded on a thumb
drive (also called a memory stick or USB flash drive). You can read this audio
edition using a computer or a National Library Service digital player. The NLS
machine has two slots—the familiar book-cartridge slot just above the
retractable carrying handle and a second slot located on the right side near the
headphone jack. This smaller slot is used to play thumb drives. Remove the protective
rubber pad covering this slot and insert the thumb drive. It will insert only in
one position. If you encounter resistance, flip the drive over and try again.
(Note: If the cartridge slot is not empty when you insert the thumb drive, the
digital player will ignore the thumb drive.) Once the thumb drive is inserted,
the player buttons will function as usual for reading digital materials. If you
remove the thumb drive to use the player for cartridges, when you insert it again,
reading should resume at the point you stopped.</p> <p>You can transfer the
recording of each issue from the thumb drive to your computer or preserve it on
the thumb drive. However, because thumb drives can be used hundreds of times, we
would appreciate their return in order to stretch our funding. Please use the
return envelope enclosed with the drive when you return the device.</p> <p>Vol.
65, No. 7 July 2022</p> <h2 id="contents">Contents</h2> <p>Corrections and
Apologies</p> <p>by Chris Danielsen</p> <p>A Tribute that Can Only Begin to Capture
My Friend, My Brother, and the Most Important Member of My Federation Family</p>
<p>by David De Notaris</p> <p>Music in the Service of Those Who Sorrow: The World
Blind Union Extends a Helping Hand to the Blind of Ukraine</p> <p>by Gary Wunder</p>
<p>We’re With U: We Choose Not to Be Neutral</p> <p>by Martine Abel-Williamson</p>
<p>We’re With U: The Blind Community at its Best</p> <p>by Jonathan Mosen</p>
<p>Chapter Chatter Part 2: Intention, Prevention, and Intervention</p> <p>by
Christine Faltz Grassman</p> <p>Lessons and Lifelines<br /> by Renée Valdez</p>
<p>Coming to Our Senses</p> <p>Reviewed by Deborah Kent Stein</p> <p>An Explanation
about the Need for and Beauty of our Code of Conduct</p> <p>by Ronza Othman</p>
<p>When it is Okay to Say “Yes”</p> <p>by Nancy Burns</p> <p>How
the Monitor is Built, Its Timelines, and Making it What You Want it to Be</p>
<p>by Gary Wunder</p> <p>She Had an Anteater</p> <p>by Peggy Chong</p> <p>Eye
Talk</p> <p>by Annie Schlesinger</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Chris Danielsen]</p> <h2
id="corrections-and-apologies">Corrections and Apologies</h2> <p><strong>by Chris
Danielsen</strong></p> <p>I need to make a couple of clarifications and corrections
to the article “Shattering a Record and Shifting a Paradigm” that
appeared in the June 2022 Braille Monitor. I humbly ask the forgiveness of New
Mexico historians, space aficionados, Spaceport America officials, and any other
readers affected or confused by my reporting errors, which are as follows:</p>
<p>The Elephant Butte Dam, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, was not
constructed early in the Depression. Rather, although it was a federal dam project
like the Depression-era Hoover Dam, it was completed well before then, in 1916.</p>
<p>The suborbital space planes projected to be operated from Spaceport America by
Virgin Galactic are not named “Blue Origin.” That name belongs to
a separate commercial space company. The currently operational Virgin Galactic
plane is the company’s “SpaceShipTwo” model and is named VSS
<em>Unity</em>.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: David De Notaris]</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Joe Ruffalo]</p> <h2
id="a-tribute-that-can-only-begin-to-capture-my-friend-my-brother-and-the-most-important-member-of-my-federation-family">A
Tribute that Can Only Begin to Capture My Friend, My Brother, and the Most Important
Member of My Federation Family</h2> <p><strong>by David De Notaris</strong></p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: David is well known for his work in state government,
having served in several leadership roles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania including
as director of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) and eventually as executive
director of the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in
Pennsylvania. After seventeen years, he decided it was time for him to do what he
had long wanted to do, that being to start a training company. He and his wife
Mariann are the founders/owners of Sky's the Limit Communications LLC. In his work
he deals with everything from education at the school district level to employment,
his work includes companies such as Verizon, Comcast, Fidelity, NASA, United States
Army, and players in the healthcare industry, and even the technical giant,
Microsoft. His company concentrates on providing instruction in advocacy,
employability, resiliency training, iOS productivity, and accessible financial
literacy training for state agencies nationally. For his business, his company
does diversity, leadership, and resiliency training, meaning he knows people from
human resources to top executives. In covering everything from education to
rehabilitation to employment, his company has the ability to build relationships
that get blind folks what they need.</strong></p> <p><strong>In addition to all
of this, David is an active member of the National Federation of the Blind, and
it is in this capacity that he writes to honor a cherished friend, brother, and
treasured family member:</strong></p> <p>Seldom do I feel apprehensive, but trying
to capture the life of Joe Ruffalo is no small undertaking. I’ve known Joe
for most of my life, and he has not only been a larger-than-life character, but
he has been at the center of so many things I have wanted to do and have eventually
done.</p> <p>Not only do I want to tell Joe’s story as I have experienced
it, but I’ve tried to incorporate the experiences of so many he has touched.
Of course I am not so naive as to believe I can come close to capturing all that
he was and will continue to be for people, so let us not think of this as the
first or the last article about Joe. What I do hope is that this one can demonstrate
his generosity, humor, and enthusiasm for many generations to come.</p> <p>I met
Joe on a day I will forever remember; it was December 29, 1983, and the location
was the Essex Racket Club and Fitness Center in West Orange, NJ. It was an event
sponsored by the Association of Blind Athletes of NJ (ABANJ). We were brought
together by Rich Ruffalo, Joe’s younger brother. Rich was my high school
biology teacher and a coach who talked me into going out for weight lifting. Like
Joe and me, Rich was in the process of going blind due to retinitis pigmentosa,
more normally abbreviated as “RP.” I was a young teen trying to find
a way to distinguish myself and find something that would get me noticed for
something positive and in which I could take pride.</p> <p>I was encouraged by
Joe to always set goals and work toward achieving them. One of them had to do with
weight lifting. He taught me through demonstrating in his own life that the way
to succeed in reaching a goal was to write it down, go after it with lots of
enthusiasm, track my progress, and eventually achieve it. He said that one of the
advantages to writing down and tracking a goal came at the end. “Just think
how good you are going to feel when you write the words ‘Goal Achieved’
on your list.”</p> <p>On that cold December day not only did I start learning
about setting goals but also about the value of making friends I could look up to
for guidance and as role models. Joe and Rich encouraged me to become involved in
the Association of Blind Athletes in New Jersey. Joe’s heart came through
to me when I realized that he celebrated my milestones with every bit as much
enthusiasm as he did his own. He still holds a world record in the Paralympic
weight lifting competition, but it isn’t surprising that you heard that
from someone other than Joe. As he so often said, “It’s not about
me, me, me. It’s about we, we, we!”</p> <p>This fantastic man was
more than a role model and a friend. Joe was exactly the soldier you wanted by
your side, and as Rick Fox remarked at Joe’s memorial service, Joe was both
a general and a lieutenant. As a general, he could see the big picture, could
think strategically, and predict with remarkable success what was likely to happen
in the future as a result of actions taken today. As a lieutenant, he was marching
with his men and was in tune with the needs of each and every one of them.</p>
<p>Our friend came to the Federation in 1988. Joe’s Federation sister,
Jerilyn Higgins, has observed through much thought, study, and experience that
the best way to get someone to do something you want them to do is to nag. It took
her six months, but eventually she got Joe to attend his first meeting. Joe’s
wife Judy, knowing him better than anyone, told him “I know you’re
going to go off and join another organization. Isn’t it enough that you
are already a part of the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts,
and the special education board? You are going to join; I know it.” This
he vehemently denied and made Judy a promise that if he joined, he would take her
out to dinner. When he got home, Judy took one look at him and said, “I
told you so. You joined, didn’t you?” Joe just smiled and asked Judy
where she wanted to go out for dinner.</p> <p>Joe has often told the story of his
first meeting and what convinced him to be a part of this organization he had
previously thought to be radical, militant, and unreasonable. He shared the story
that when he arrived at the meeting, Florence Bloom, then the president of the
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey, asked if he would like a cup of
coffee. He replied in the affirmative, believing that in the meeting of the blind,
a coffee would be delivered. Florence informed him that the coffee was at the back
of the room and that the decaf was on the left and the regular on the right. He
found this both interesting and motivating. He liked the idea of blind people
doing for themselves but was worried enough about his ability to carry that he
poured himself less than half a cup of coffee, reasoning he would not spill any.</p>
<p>As the meeting progressed, the discussion turned to fundraising, and Joe observed
that the Federation could easily make dollars instead of pennies on each sale if
only it upped its marketing game. Florence was not defensive; it didn’t
bother her that he was a new person on the block proposing significant change.
She said that she could see his point and asked that he be in charge of the project.
That quickly led to his being in charge of all of the affiliate’s
fundraising.</p> <p>This was the first of many projects to which Joe lent his
name, his talent, and his energy. Just how he would be called on to serve he
couldn’t know, but one morning he got a call, and on the other end of the
phone line was President Maurer. “Good morning, Mr. President,” Dr.
Maurer began.</p> <p>“I’m sorry sir, you’ve got the wrong
number. This is Joe, and I’m the vice president.”</p> <p>“No,
I don’t have the wrong number. Congratulations, President Ruffalo.”
It seems that the previous president gave up her job, and Joe’s assumption
to the presidency was first communicated by a man he was so honored to serve under
for decades.</p> <p>So by 1993 Joe was the president of the National Federation
of the Blind of New Jersey, and he held that position until 2020. State convention
attendance was from fifteen to twenty when he joined, and now convention planners
routinely count on three hundred or more to fill convention sessions. An affiliate
that had two chapters when he joined had seven chapters and seven special interest
divisions when he left the office some twenty-seven years later.</p> <p>I attended
my first national convention in 1992, and if memory serves, it was the first
national convention for Joe as well. I remember seeing him at the New Jersey
affiliate table, and although I don't remember what we were selling, I remember
vividly how excited he was about it: lots of folks take their turn selling, but
Joe did not regard it as a burdensome task. I will never forget observing him
standing there, rubbing his hands together, and shouting out with enthusiasm that
was infectious. As the crowd would come and make their purchases, you could hear
Joe saying “Isn't this great! Isn't this great!”</p> <p>One of the
things I remember about Joe is that every time he approached me with a request,
the way he introduced it was to say “Dave, I would like to ask you for a
small favor.” A small favor seemed so little, and with Joe it was never a
big favor, not even when he asked me to be the coordinator for the job opportunities
for the blind program. Just having gotten a job myself, I argued how very busy I
was. Joe was sympathetic. He said, “Well, how about this? Let’s say
you try it for a couple months, and if it doesn’t work out, get back with
me, and we’ll find someone else.” Well that two-month temporary
appointment turned into most of a decade of service, but I got as well as I gave,
learning from people like Lorraine Rovig and others how to organize activities,
advertise them, and generate excitement about them. Here, too, Joe was a tremendous
help, always reminding me that the best way to get someone enthused was to capture
in a lead phrase or a sentence (a hook) exactly what you intended to do. He
understood the importance of establishing momentum from the beginning and then
maintaining it throughout the life of a project. His constant refrain was,
“nothing ever happens without enthusiasm,” so it is not surprising
that enthusiasm was something he brought in large measure to everything he did.</p>
<p>In talking with Carol Castellano, I learned that Joe was a master of the small
ask. “He would call me and always start out by saying, ‘Two minutes,
three minutes, that’s all I need.’ This might happen five or six
times a day, and almost always those two or three-minute conversations went half
an hour. I knew it would, but I loved being a part of whatever Joe was a part of,
and I knew I was honored to be on such a team.”</p> <p>Of course, Joe was
about much more than selling, competition, growing, and achievement. He was about
kindness, manners, being a gentleman, and living the Golden Rule. He often observed
that the important thing was not the growth that took place in the affiliate but
the difference we were able to make in the lives of people who interned, then
decided to become a part of the organization. He deeply believed that if you did
what was right for people, organizational growth would take care of itself. Joe
would always say, “People don’t care how much you know unless they
know how much you care.”</p> <p>When Joe learned about somebody who was
going blind, whether it was talking to them in person or to one of their relatives,
the time he was willing to spend on the phone with them knew no bounds. He knew
it was all about forging relationships and through them giving the hope that would
determine whether blindness was a tragedy or simply a nuisance and an inconvenience.
It was not uncommon to find Joe on the telephone late in the evening and sometimes
during the very early morning. This is what all of the organizational stuff was
about. Bringing hope, creating opportunity, and seeing change were all results of
Joe’s positive attitude and at the same time the very reason for it.</p>
<p>After college there were times when I wanted to participate in some particular
activity of the Federation and simply didn't have the money. When Joe found out,
he would pull me aside, slip me some money, or let me know that this or that would
be taken care of: “Your room is covered.” “We have your
registration and banquet already, so don’t worry about them.” I
listened closely during chapter and affiliate treasurer reports, but never did I
hear about a fund that made me a grant. I asked Joe about this once, my theory
being that perhaps the costs were rolled into convention revenue or maybe there
was a scholarship covered by other attendees’ registration. His response:
"No, Dave, I just take care of it out of my pocket. You know, if people don’t
have it, they can't come, and letting them show up and hearing something positive
just may change their life, and that makes all the difference."</p> <p>I used to
tease him and wonder why he so frequently won in the 50-50 drawing. Of course,
the greater number of tickets you have, the greater chance you have of winning,
but I think there was also something else involved. Joe would tell me repeatedly,
“Dave, don't worry about being a go-getter; concern yourself with being a
go-giver." I think that kind of attitude was reflected back to him in the form of
what we called luck but may have been a bit of the Divine intervening to see that
Joe could continue his good work.</p> <p>The one thing I treasured most about Joe
was his ability to laugh not only at situations but also about himself. One story
I love to share is a bunch of us at a United States Association of Blind
Athletes’ event went out to dinner at a busy restaurant. They directed/controlled
its customer lines using poles connected together by velvet ropes often found at
banks/restaurants/registration areas. We found ourselves in a long line, and
Joe’s brother Rich decided to play a prank. He did this by gently unfastening
one of the long velvet ropes and attaching it onto Joe’s backpack. Once
Rich knew the rope was secured, he yelled to Joe “Come on Joe, get moving,
you’re holding up the line.” Of course, Joe set off with real
determination, and the ropes and polls that made-up the crowd-control system of
the restaurant made a joyous crash, boom, bash noise as it collapsed. The only
noise louder than those clanking poles was the laughter of Joe Ruffalo, the man
who, no matter the circumstance, never got ruffled.</p> <p>Joe used to tell me "I
don't have a college degree, but I will work harder than anyone else." What a
great lesson that was to me: a lesson about taking what some would consider an
adversity or a detriment and turning it around to be a major source of motivation.
But it was more than work; it was about attitude. "It is not about me, me, me;
no, it is about we, we, we."</p> <p>Joe was hardworking, determined, and driven;
when he got an idea he would run with it! Some close friends would playfully call
him “Joe Rockhead” a reference to Fred Flintstone’s good
friend from the Water Buffalo lodge.</p> <p>Joe was not only a great soldier for
the National Federation of the Blind but also for the Knights of Columbus and the
Lions Club, the latter giving him the highest award they could offer. There was
no question that Joe was loyal through and through, the finest in what you would
want in a good soldier. If there were things that bothered him or questions he
couldn't answer, his standard refrain, in which he believed totally was, "They
are in a better position to know than I am. I'm sure they know more than I do and
have already considered this."</p> <p>One of the things that most endeared me to
Joe was his concern about me and about my family; his questions were not general
but specific: how is Marianne, young David, MaryKate, and Emily.</p> <p>I used to
love it when Joe would show up at the NFBNJ Christmas Party at the Gateway Hilton
Hotel in Newark, and the kids would go crazy because they observed that Santa
Claus was carrying a white cane. A blind man who was happy, a blind man who was
a major part of a celebration; a blind man who was always leading in holiday
festivities! What an example of a role model and what better way to let young
children know that blind people can be givers too.</p> <p>Joe was very involved
with the programs of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. Much of his work
was as a volunteer, but he did have at least two paid positions with funds from
the Commission. One of them was working in the Leadership Education Advocacy and
Determination Program serving children from thirteen to twenty-one. I interviewed
one person who remembered one meeting that was held at Joe’s house, and
the activity was cooking. He helped a young man make a pie, and at the end of the
session the young man pleaded with Joe to adopt him.</p> <p>I played a small role
in helping Joe gain a paid position working with seniors. I was asked to review
a proposal to fund a program through the Commission. It was called the Senior
Community Independent Living Skills Program. As I read, I could see Joe written
all over the success this program could have, but, near the end of it, I came upon
a stumbling block. I noted with regret that the manager must have a college degree.
That was too limiting, so I inserted a part of a sentence that said "or equivalent
life experience." When I turned the proposal back to the director and told him
about my addition, he agreed that it was something that should have been included
in the document from the beginning.</p> <p>As soon as I completed that call, I
called Joe Ruffalo and suggested he apply. At first he was skeptical, noting his
lack of formal qualifications. I told him about the substitution of life experience.
Then he was concerned because he had no resumé, but with a three-way call
between Joe, Carol Castellano, and myself, Joe was able to submit an application
the very next day, and he served for more than a decade helping seniors. He loved
the work, it showed, and just as he had with his transition-aged students, he and
others could see that his work was making a positive difference in the lives of
blind folks. What I learned that day was that even the most positive among us
occasionally need encouraging. Joe had some doubts about Joe, but his friends did
not. One of his often quoted remarks came to serve Joe as well as the many men
and women he helped: "People need encouragement like flowers need rain."</p>
<p>Although this article is about Joe’s life, it would be incomplete if we
did not say that Joe is being buried at Arlington Cemetery, an honor reserved for
those with distinguished service. Among his medals is a bronze star, representing
heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.
His service came at a cost, Joe returning with occasional eruption of PTSD. One
day when he threw himself and his sister Jane to the ground and she asked what he
was doing, is a subdued and apologetic voice he apologized: “I thought I
was saving us; for a moment we were both in Saigon.”</p> <p>As flattered
as I am to try to chronicle the life of my friend, one of the hard things about
writing this is that I have known him the majority of my life, and he is so much
more than a friend: he was my advisor, my older brother, and my mentor. Interestingly,
he would at times argue otherwise, many times identifying me as his mentor and
then quickly letting people know that one did not need to be more advanced in age
in order to mentor. One simply had to have experiences from which another could
benefit, and he credited me generously with that, using as but one example the
observation that I encouraged and helped teach him to use the screen-reading
program JAWS.</p> <p>The only reason I can write this is that I know that no single
article can capture the larger-than-life character that was Joe Ruffalo, and I
trust others will fill in the blanks and tell all of the other stories that must
be told. In writing remembrances, we sometimes ask ourselves what we should leave
out—those things less flattering, less admirable, more revelatory of
one’s darker side. This has not been my issue, for there was little of this
in Joe. My problem is simply that there isn’t enough space in this article
or creativity in me to say the kind of thank you that Joe deserves. I trust that
he knows the enormity of the task we are all trying to undertake in honoring him,
and he would encourage us to be kind to ourselves, give one another the time and
love he can no longer give, and to understand that this really was never about
him but about us.</p> <p>One day I recall Joe calling me and sharing, “David,
do you know what NFB stands for?”</p> <p>“Yes Joe, of course, National
Federation of the Blind.”</p> <p>“Yes, correct, but it also stands
for Never Felt Better!” Joe was blessed to find the NFB, and then he found
himself.</p> <p>I end this with tears in my eyes, love and respect in my heart,
and gratitude in my soul for having the opportunity to know, learn from, and, like
so many, be encouraged by our good friend, brother, and mentor, Joe Ruffalo! Joe
would so often end what he wrote with: We care, we share, we grow.” And
yes, Joe, we promise to keep doing all of this and more. Thank you Joe—you
were and still are a difference maker!</p> <p>--------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION:
We're With U! concert logo. A concert to benefit the blind of Ukraine.]</p> <h2
id="music-in-the-service-of-those-who-sorrow-the-world-blind-union-extends-a-helping-hand-to-the-blind-of-ukraine">Music
in the Service of Those Who Sorrow: The World Blind Union Extends a Helping Hand
to the Blind of Ukraine</h2> <p><strong>by Gary Wunder</strong></p> <p>Far too
often for my liking, I find myself swinging between extremes: I must do something
about the condition of the world; I can do nothing about the condition of the
world. I absolutely must help this person; there is not a thing in the world that
I can reasonably do to help this person. You can imagine the relief that came over
me and probably many others when we realized that we did not have to stand idly
by and watch as the blind of Ukraine suffered under the aggression of a Russian
invasion. We could not be active combatants; we had no stage to host our persuasive
arguments for peace. But we weren’t prohibited from taking action; in some
measurable way, we could reach out to the blind people of Ukraine—be they
in country or refugees—and say that we care enough to share; we live and
therefore we give; we will trade apathy, indifference, and impotent rage for a
more positive journey. We won’t stop our own fight simply because we
can’t stop the world from fighting, and we won’t let the fact that
we can’t throw back all the starfish in the sea prevent us from doing what
we can.</p> <p>Two articles follow this brief introduction. One is from the
president of the World Blind Union, Martine Abel. She is in charge of the relief
effort. The second is from Jonathan Mosen, perhaps the best-known voice of any
blind person in the world. He brought the spirit, the technical expertise, and
the track record of success that made this effort look doable, and doable it was.
Of course, I am proud to be a part of our nation's contribution to the effort,
made possible in large part by the active role played by our own National Federation
of the Blind. We promoted the event, helped connect people, and gave our technical
and financial expertise to collecting money both on the day of the concert and in
the days following. Our Performing Arts Division helped by providing some of the
musical talent that made the concert a sheer delight to attend, and, with enough
prompting, we got our President to play his guitar and give us a song.</p> <p>In
this concert we were not the leaders, not the experts, but the facilitators. In
that spirit, let me stop this introduction and let the real experts speak for
themselves. Thank you to all who participated, not only for the people of Ukraine
but for people like me who need a way to show that we believe, we care, and we
act.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Martine Abel-Williamson with her
guide dog.]</p> <h2 id="were-with-u-we-choose-not-to-be-neutral">We’re With
U: We Choose Not to Be Neutral</h2> <p><strong>by Martine Abel-Williamson</strong></p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: The “We’re With U” concert is
symbolic of so much that we in the National Federation of the Blind and our
colleagues in the World Blind Union have come together to demonstrate. We, the
too often down and out, the too often underestimated, the too often counted out
when it comes to thoughts about meaningful contributions—we long ago decided
that this would not be our place in the world. This was not a one-time decision;
it only has meaning if the commitment of love, energy, and resources is ongoing.
Improving the lives of the blind means choosing action over apathy, hope over
hopelessness, and never letting the realization that we cannot change everything
for the better in one day stand in the way of our doing what we can when we
can.</strong></p> <p><strong>Martine is the president of the World Blind Union
and has long been active in the affairs of the world. Here is what she has to say
about the “We’re With U” Concert:</strong></p> <p>It’s
a great pleasure to meet you in my role as WBU president, although the situation
of me checking in with you at this time is extraordinarily unfortunate. I met some
of you when I attended your 2019 Convention in Las Vegas, and I do hope I’ll
enjoy the experience again.</p> <p>I now live in New Zealand, but I was born in
Namibia and spent most of my childhood years in South Africa, and, it was a fellow
South African, Desmond Tutu, who said it simply, “If you are neutral in
situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”</p>
<p>Yes, I was as equally shocked as many others when Russia invaded the Ukraine.
I couldn’t believe it—in today’s day and age!</p> <p>At the
WBU level, we realized we needed to act swiftly in the most appropriate way.
We’re not a humanitarian or international aid organization, but in these
situations we need to do what we do best, so we established the Ukrainian Unity
Fund.</p> <p>Many blind people also told us they’d wish to contribute in
a creative and meaningful fashion, and that’s how the Ukraine Unity Fund
met with the “We’re with U” Ukraine benefit concert [hashtag
#BlindWithU on social media].</p> <p>So, based in New Zealand, at 6 a.m., Sunday,
17 April, I tuned into the start of the We’re With U Ukraine benefit concert,
and I remained tuned in until around 7:15 p.m. that day. It was an honor to
experience the solidarity, the effort, the talent, and the witnessing of financial
contribution on that day, and which are still going as we speak. When the World
Blind Union (WBU) established the Ukrainian Unity Fund, we didn’t realize
just how people would rally and stand together—not just to raise funds but
to give of their time and unique talent, in other words, to give of their soul!</p>
<p>I want to use this opportunity to assure people that the WBU will act in good
faith and with due diligence when attributing the funds you’ve so generously
contributed. The following principles are meant to guide decision-making concerning
how funds from the Ukrainian Unity Fund are disbursed.</p> <ul> <li><p>WBU will
endeavor to partner with disability organizations and mainstream relief organizations.
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and other formal agreements will be developed
as needed to govern these partnerships.</p></li> <li><p>In addition to the principles
below focused on humanitarian relief, WBU will advocate for systemic change
regarding a more inclusive response to war and other disasters. The primary purpose
of the Ukrainian Unity Fund will be to assist blind and partially sighted Ukrainians
directly; however, some of the funds may be directed toward advocacy initiatives
to have a long-lasting impact.</p></li> <li><p>Due to legal constraints, WBU will
not be able to provide financial and/or other resources directly to individuals.
However, direct aid may be possible through established partnerships.</p></li>
<li><p>WBU will focus support on those who are blind or partially sighted; however,
those assisting the blind/partially sighted individual, such as family and friends,
may also benefit from the supports.</p></li> <li><p>WBU will try to focus support
on needs related to blindness, such as assistive technology, blindness skills
training, and access to apps like Aira, as opposed to core needs like shelter and
food. However, where core needs exist, if WBU is the only or the most suitable
organization able to assist, then WBU will assist with core needs.</p></li>
<li><p>WBU will assist both those still living in Ukraine and those who have fled
to other countries. Supports may relate to responding to the emergency, such as
support with evacuation, or may relate to assisting those who are adjusting after
being displaced, such as replacing lost adaptive equipment.</p></li> <li><p>Funds
may also be used to support rebuilding efforts once the war is over. This could
include replacing damaged adaptive equipment or supplying Braille paper to a school
for the blind.</p></li> <li><p>WBU will endeavor to disburse the funds in a timely
manner while doing so in a way that is responsible.</p></li> </ul> <p>I also wish
to use this opportunity to thank the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and
Jonathan Mosen and his crew at Mushroom FM for your tremendous support in helping
us to raise these funds and to promote the amazing concert. So, let’s keep
on demonstrating our support to our fellow blind and vision-impaired Ukrainians,
their families, and the organizations and communities who are assisting them, for,
as someone once very aptly reminded us: “Freedom is not free.”</p>
<p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Jonathan Mosen]</p> <h2
id="were-with-u-the-blind-community-at-its-best">We’re With U: The Blind
Community at its Best</h2> <p><strong>by Jonathan Mosen</strong></p> <p><strong>From
the Editor: No voice is more internationally known among the blind community than
that of Jonathan Mosen. He is unquestionably a Renaissance man, a person who has
his hand in music, technology, literature, and who clearly demonstrates a healthy
concern for his community. Jonathan’s production skills and his willingness
to share resources did much to make the concert a success, and it is with pleasure
that we print the article he has written for readers of the <em>Braille
Monitor</em>:</strong></p> <p>The world can seem like a gloomy place at times.
Momentous events occur that concern us, but their magnitude overwhelms us. Yet,
sometimes, the spark of an idea occurs which catches fire, making us realize we
have more influence than we thought.</p> <p>There is no better example of this
than the We’re With U concert for Ukraine. It showed us that with an inspired
idea, planning, and unity, no problem is too big that we can’t make a
difference.</p> <p>It all started with one blind man’s belief that we could
assist the people of Ukraine through music. Jaffar Sidek Ahmad, a musician from
Singapore, started a discussion on relevant email lists about blind musicians
holding a virtual concert to raise money for blind Ukrainians, both those who
remain in Ukraine whose lives have been torn apart by war, and those who have had
to flee. Jaffar’s original idea was to run the concert as part of a
fundraising initiative being undertaken by his church.</p> <p>Having covered the
invasion from a blindness perspective in my podcast, I was outraged by what was
happening and eager to find a way to assist. So, I contacted Jaffar offering my
assistance in any way that might be useful to him. Ideas I ran by him included
being the MC for the event, donating Mushroom FM’s resources and infrastructure,
and seeking the support of others in the blind community. Jaffar was happy to
accept my offer of help. We immediately got to work. I created a website, and
Jaffar continued to encourage blind performing artists to submit content.</p>
<p>As part of my initial contacts with people in the blind community, I reached
out to Mike May, who became an unsung hero of this event. His enthusiasm was
infectious, and he single-handedly recruited several of our corporate sponsors.
Mike briefed President Riccobono, who was quick to offer NFB’s full support.
This support took many forms, including infrastructural, fundraising, and messaging
assistance.</p> <p>The event’s success depended on identifying a credible
partner to receive the funds. It had to be an organization the blind community
knew well and trusted, and it had to have the links to ensure that funds raised
were dispersed in the most impactful way. Through President Riccobono, we were
connected with Marc Workman, Executive Director of the World Blind Union, which
had just set up a Unity Fund for Ukraine.</p> <p>Since its founding in 2010,
Mushroom FM has hosted many successful events making innovative use of social
media. But one of the most consequential decisions I made early on was to make
the concert available to any internet broadcaster who wanted to carry it. There
are a surprising number of internet radio stations run by the blind, for the blind.
Often, they compete for the same audience. On the day, the event was carried by
over twenty broadcasters in a resounding display of unity for the blind of
Ukraine.</p> <p>We are bombarded by so much information nowadays that it is easy
to become desensitized to the fact that war equates to millions of personal
tragedies. To make it clear why money was so badly needed, it was important that
we hear from blind people or those assisting blind people, be they still in Ukraine
or now refugees. So, the concert was interspersed with first-hand accounts of the
war.</p> <p>Many people made this event what it was, but the true stars of it are
undisputedly the performers, who so generously donated their talent and kept so
many people listening throughout the entire concert. Most were blind, a few were
not, but all performances were exceptional. We heard many styles of music and even
some poetry.</p> <p>We couldn’t all gather together in a stadium, but we
were brought together virtually via a Twitter hashtag, and I was able to acknowledge
many listeners on-air. Donations came pouring in via NFB’s and WBU’s
accessible online platforms.</p> <p>For the radio and audio geeks, and the blind
community has a good number of those, let me share a few behind the scenes details
of an event, which, despite its complexity, was technically flawless for its 11.5
hours. We played 224 separate audio elements during the concert. This included
the music, anecdotes from Ukraine, sponsorship messages, and calls to action.
Every element was normalized to a common LUFS value and had it crossfade point
set manually.</p> <p>We streamed two versions of the concert concurrently. The
version on Mushroom FM included our usual audio processing, while a separate stream
offered an unprocessed version for Internet radio stations wishing to retain their
unique sound.</p> <p>The result of it all was that on the day, we raised over
$80,000. When other donations were processed because of the event, the amount
raised exceeded $100,000. While I have no doubt that it will be easy to find worthy
ways to allocate those funds and that more are needed, it is a significant sum
for a grassroots movement of concerned blind people to have raised in a project
that went from idea to global event in the space of a month.</p> <p>Whether you
donated your talent, your time, your money, or all of the above, thank you so
much. You can look back on the contribution you made and feel proud of being a
part of something very special. We made a difference for the people of Ukraine.
In the process, we also provided a powerful, moving demonstration that, no problem,
even a war, is so big that we can’t make a difference. We are stronger
together. We are better when we focus on what unites us. We have more power than
many of us realize.</p> <p>The memory of the concert may be fading, but the conflict
is ongoing. Please continue to look for ways that you can show the people of
Ukraine, “We’re With U.”</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Christine Faltz Grassman]</p> <h2
id="chapter-chatter-part-2-intention-prevention-and-intervention">Chapter Chatter
Part 2: Intention, Prevention, and Intervention</h2> <p><strong>by Christine Faltz
Grassman</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Christine is a chapter president,
but she is so much more. She is sensitive, perceptive, and especially tuned to be
a peacemaker without avoiding topics that should and in fact must be discussed.
Here are more thoughts she has to offer about fairly handling difficult topics
and those who bring them:</strong></p> <p>Ten percent of conflicts is due to
difference in opinion and ninety percent is due to wrong tone of voice.<br />
— Susan Wiertzema</p> <p>I think it is safe to say that when individuals
or groups gather with positive purpose and common interests, there is a collective
intention to collaborate and recognize the interdependence that is necessary for
efforts to bear fruit. As people who are blind, we have more than a passing
acquaintance with how even the best intentions can lead to unhappy results.</p>
<p>Previously, I discussed the importance and necessity of speaking up. Now I want
to address handling situations where speaking up in particular ways and at particular
times may not be ideal and provide some respectful techniques for de-escalating
what could become an awkward and/or upsetting incident.</p> <p>Virtual and hybrid
meetings have become the norm for many of us over the past couple of years, and
they offer undeniable advantages. Their disadvantages, however, introduce a level
of significant complexity when it becomes necessary to tam down conflict.</p>
<p>There is often good-natured joking about the power of the “Mute All”
and “Remove” options on conferencing platforms. All jesting aside,
however, we have likely all witnessed the benefit of these tools. Genuinely
destructive and hurtful attacks have occurred on meeting platforms, and the
“Mute” and “Remove” options act as virtual security
guards and bouncers. However, it is not the unsavory and unscrupulous alone who
can derail a discussion, demoralize a meeting, or start something that could yield
repercussions for weeks, months, or longer.</p> <p>We all have bad days and we
all make mistakes. A sincere apology after a significant outburst goes a long way
toward righting an ill-timed statement. Perhaps it might take some time to recognize
that an apology is needed until after some reflection or after someone has
diplomatically pointed out the issue, perceived or otherwise. Waiting too long,
however, or tossing out an apology simply because one is hounded to do so will
likely be considered insincere, and a delay gives time for the incident to imbed
itself into memories, the grapevine, and potential exaggeration or attachment to
other incidents people are suddenly recalling, particularly by those who were most
hurt or offended.</p> <p>What should you do if a discussion at a meeting takes a
turn that is not conducive to a productive and welcoming environment? The individual
running the meeting can set guidelines and should follow through with those
guidelines. Do not show favoritism by allowing more latitude to board members,
the newbie, your best friend, your spouse, or the most senior member. Everyone
must behave respectfully, and everyone should receive respect. This does not mean
that the more wordy among the crowd cannot be asked to move on, wait their turn,
or give someone else a chance to speak. Chapter meetings are not places for
monologues, and the person who is constantly dominating the discussion, being
contrary, or putting down someone may require a time limit and perhaps a private
discussion about etiquette in the meeting.</p> <p>Never return rudeness with
rudeness or name-calling with name-calling. If someone uses words like
“ridiculous,” or “idiotic”, do not get upset if those
adjectives were used for a proposed idea or activity. Sure, it could have been
worded differently, but try to avoid feeling and acting as if the adjectives were
used to insult the person proposing the item in question.</p> <p>There might come
a time when things become heated between two or more individuals. It might be
helpful to designate someone to quietly go over to (or if virtual, text or email),
the individuals in question while the meeting moves on. To the greatest extent
possible, efforts should focus on keeping the meeting on track with the least
disruption. Even if someone needs to step outside with a person or two, the meeting
should proceed, and anyone not directly involved should act as if nothing of note
is occurring.</p> <p>After such incidents, it is difficult for people to refrain
from passionate discussion, finger-pointing, or rehashing past incidents involving
the same person or persons. Please try to avoid doing this. Unless there is a
persistent pattern of disruption from a particular individual or group, dwelling
on something unpleasant gives it more power and significance, and what should
remain at the center are the goals of the chapter as defined by its agenda and
subsequent decision-making.</p> <p>It might be necessary to talk with one or more
people several times between meetings if a personality conflict or repeated flouting
of meeting discussion guidelines occurs.</p> <p>What guidelines might be put into
place? Generally, the standard fare will do: no interrupting unless someone is
dominating the conversation and meeting time. (Perhaps there should be a set time
limit if others are continually unable to get a word in, and that time limit must
apply to everyone if a question is being asked or a comment is being made. Obviously,
speakers, activities, and necessary discussion of chapter business would not have
such limits applied.)</p> <p>Be especially cognizant of the fact that the leaders
and most active members set the tone. If harassment, belittling, or gossip is
tolerated (or worse, encouraged), de-escalation tactics will not be effective. If
all do not walk the walk, talking the talk will be considered window dressing,
lip service, and rank hypocrisy.</p> <p>It is absolutely fine to stop pejorative
or derogatory statements or disruptive behavior in its tracks without attempting
to address it quietly. All attendees should witness that bullying, ridiculing, or
other words or behavior that are meant to marginalize, put down, or threaten are
categorically forbidden. Chapter and division meetings, activities, and events
should be welcoming, comfortable environments that all look forward to attending.
At no time should anyone ever feel it emotionally necessary to avoid one or ever
leave one feeling badly, unheard, or ignored.</p> <p>Leaders should be receptive
to constructive criticism and consider solutions to any friction. Work hard to be
approachable by anyone who attends meetings who might feel that the chapter or
division is not as warm and inviting as you might wish it to be or perceive it to
be. We can all improve, individually and as a group.</p> <p>In an upcoming article,
I will discuss mediating conflict. If anyone wants to provide an example of a
local conflict (no names, please), write to me at <a
href="mailto:cfgrassman@icloud.com">cfgrassman@icloud.com</a> and I will use it
as an example. Obviously, all strategies and techniques must be tailored to your
group’s dynamics—whether you are dealing with an isolated incident
or a pattern—and other variables, but the guidelines provided should give
an effective foundation for conflict resolution.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Renée Valdez]</p> <h2 id="lessons-and-lifelines">Lessons and
Lifelines</h2> <p><strong>by Renée Valdez</strong></p> <p><strong>From the
Editor: Renée is a person who has tremendous value to the National Federation
of the Blind not only because of the energy she brings to our cause but because
her memory of going blind is fresh enough that she can relate to people who think
all doors have been closed and are starved for what we have to offer. This is a
spectacular article, and if it is half as much fun to read as it has been to edit,
prepare to be thoroughly engrossed in this experience.</strong></p> <p><strong>In
case you want to know what she does when not writing, Renée is the chair of
the NFB of Virginia Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee; the co-chair of
the NFB of Virginia Fundraising Committee; a mentor in the NFB of Virginia Project
RISE Program; and the vice president of the Northern Virginia Regional Human Rights
Committee. Here is her most splendid article:</strong></p> <p>"Life is a succession
of lessons which must be lived to be understood."</p> <p>— Helen Keller</p>
<p>Ain't that the truth. It's like I woke up one day and found myself—fifty-six
years young, blind, and still learning. WOW! And let me tell you, some of these
lessons along the way have not been amusing!</p> <p>I believe that God, the
Universe, and Mother Earth all have a very warped sense of humor. I mean, C'MON,
MAN! The last time I looked up, not only did I have my eyesight, but I was
forty-eight years old, enjoying a rewarding and quite lucrative career, traveling
around the United States and Canada training the "untrainable"—TSA Supervisors
and Air Marshalls—and having a BLAST! And, I am happy to report that by
day two of a five—day intensive training, I had these tough guys and gals
eating out of my hand.</p> <p>It was Octoberish, 2013, when I began to notice a
slight change in my vision, especially at night. I suppose I should have considered
it a clue when I was driving into a 7-Eleven parking lot and hit the very large
garbage can at one corner of the lot head on! But no! I politely backed up and
tried my parking efforts once again, and I pretended like that trash can thing
never happened. I never mentioned it to my Honey, Scott, or anyone, for that
matter.</p> <p>Then, on a midnight run to Micky D's, I came to the four-way stop
not far from our home. As usual, I stopped. I looked to the right, then the left,
then the right again. Seeing nothing in the darkness, I stepped on the gas to go
through the intersection, and BLAM! Quite suddenly, the airbag deployed in my face
after the car came to a very severe and arduous stop. I had broadsided a van, I
found out later. But at that moment, sitting with the airbag in my lap, I, once
again, looked to my right, where the thing I hit should have been, and I saw
nothing.</p> <p>I drove forward to the next block, where there was a street light.
I got out of the car, checked the damage, and delightedly saw that there was none.
So I got back in the car, decided that the other vehicle left as well, and continued
on my midnight mission to McDonald's. Despite the fact that there happened to be
a vehicle behind me who witnessed the whole thing and called it in, I was fortunate
not to get charged with hit-and-run by the grace of God, the Universe and Mother
Earth! When I received the police report, I called the family I had broadsided,
apologized, and wished them well.</p> <p>You'd think that after that crazy incident
I would consider my eyesight—or the lack thereof. It wasn't until late
December of 2013, when my eyesight had declined to a dangerous level during the
day, that I mentioned it to my Honey and my best friend.</p> <p>Fast-forward now
through doctors not knowing what was happening, and finally being diagnosed by
the NIH docs at the National Eye Institute that I had VKH, a very rare autoimmune
disease that affects Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans. This qualifies me
twice; then came the megadoses of wonderful and dangerous medications. My eyesight
fluctuated drastically up and down for the next five years, taking with it my
emotions. This made me an emotional and psychological basket case!</p> <p>The next
four years were busy for me, my days filled with remembering to take my mega-meds,
sitting on the couch with my fur baby, MJ, who never left my side, and watching
the television show Forensic Files—somehow, I found that soothing as I
licked my emotional wounds. The intro music still has that effect on me. I was
mourning, and I was so deep in it.</p> <p>I mourned the life I knew and loved—my
career, mostly. I loved what I was doing. I loved meeting a group of people on
the first day of a training they didn't want to attend and breaking the ice. I
loved the experience of witnessing the hardest shells crack by day two when they
started sharing their stories. I cherished the moments on days three through five
when it was a safe enough environment to share a few tears with those stories.
And, when the training was over, I miss the hugs and the "see you again sometime"
wishes.</p> <p>All I could think, sitting there in the safety and seclusion of my
cocoon, was that I had to find a way to close that chapter of my life forever,
and the mere thought of it seemed to cut off the air to my lungs, making it almost
impossible to breathe.</p> <p>Early in my diagnosis, I stumbled on the Department
for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI). They came in like a lifeline, providing
me with air. I met my new mobility instructor, Joanne Laurent, a strong-willed
little woman who, with her infectious laughter, kind spirit, and constant affirmations
(I called it nagging) forced me to escape my cocoon for brief periods and taught
me to use a white cane and not get hit by a Mack truck. Another powerhouse, Alex
Castillo, came to my home and proved to me that I could cook and clean my counters
and wash clothes and, and, and...be independent.</p> <p>I think it was late 2017
when I stumbled once again. This time, it was Brian Miller. I can't remember who
gave me his email address, but one day I mustered the courage and the will to
email him. Much to my surprise, he responded with an invitation to meet for coffee.
YIKES! It was time to put the lessons I had with Joanne to the test. I did.</p>
<p>Meeting Brian was like falling backward onto a thick, fluffy, soft comforter.
He had a way about him that was calming, welcoming and accepting and inspiring.
I was bragging to him about my ability to once again be able to make coffee, my
drug of choice, using my French press, even grinding my own beans! Well, he shared
with me his mutual love of coffee and how he purchased his RAW beans from Misha's
Coffee and roasted them in his home with his own roaster. WHAT! HOW? He explained
the cracking sound the beans made when they were close to being done and the aroma
that filled his home. OVERACHEIVER! When he shared with me how he roasted his own
beans or how he traveled to exotic places around the world by himself, it was
totally without arrogance or pride; it was simply Brian sharing a glimpse of his
heart and spirit.</p> <p>In March of 2018, I received an email from Brian telling
me I had to go to this meeting. (I still have that email.) He said he was starting
a chapter for the National Federation of the Blind in our community. I didn't want
to go, but how could I say no to Brian? I attended that first meeting, and it was
God or the Universe or Mother Earth—or Brian—who made sure I was
elected to serve as a board member. What! Another lifeline. I am forever grateful
to my friend.</p> <p>The rest, as they say, is history. I was connected, and I
became hooked. I started to venture out of my self-made cocoon more and more and
began to feel a sense of purpose again. I attended bits and pieces of my first
NFB state convention and met a few people who became lifelines—Evelyn
Valdez, Sandy Halverson, Bonnie O'Day, Joe Orozco, and so many more that would
make this blog much longer than it already is! And I shared a little time with
Tracy Soforenko, the Virginia state affiliate president, at a legislative visit
on Capitol Hill. He asked questions. I told him about my period of mourning, my
hopeless journey into blindness, my desire to be useful and fulfilled once again.
As I spoke, I really didn't see how that could happen in my life. I was looking
through the lenses of my past, and I could not fathom how I could ever be like
Evelyn or Tracy or any blind person who laughed and smiled and lived their lives.</p>
<p>Tracy listened to me. He continues to challenge me to spread my wings. Today,
as secretary/treasurer of the Greater Alexandria Chapter, a position that I
absolutely love; a student in the Chapter Leadership Institute; mentor in Project
RISE; coordinator of the 2021 Mini BELL Program; co-chair of the NFBV Fundraising
Committee; and member of the NFBV Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, I
am feeling fulfilled, and I am happier than ever! I have a sense of true belonging.
I have a mission.</p> <p>I believe that God, the Universe, and Mother Earth, in
their warped kind of way, know what they are doing. And I believe that Helen Keller
was right. To be fully understood, life's lessons must be lived ... and savored.</p>
<p>Peace!</p> <p>----------</p> <h2 id="you-can-make-a-difference">You Can Make
a Difference </h2> <p>Blind children, students, and adults are making powerful
strides in education and leadership every day across the United States. For more
than eighty years, the National Federation of the Blind has worked to transform
the dreams of hundreds of thousands of blind people into reality. With support
from individuals like you, we continue to provide powerful programs and critical
resources for decades to come. We sincerely hope you will plan to be a part of
our enduring movement by including the National Federation of the Blind in your
charitable giving and in your estate planning. It is easier than you think.</p>
<p> </p> <p><strong>With your help, the NFB will continue to:</strong></p>
<ul> <li><p>Give blind children the gift of literacy through Braille.</p></li>
<li><p>Promote independent travel by providing free, long white canes to blind
people in need.</p></li> <li><p>Develop dynamic educational projects and programs
to show blind youth that science and math careers are within their reach.</p></li>
<li><p>Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers and magazines to provide blind
people the essential information necessary to be actively involved in their
communities.</p></li> <li><p>Offer aids and appliances that help seniors losing
vision maintain their independence.</p></li> </ul> <p><strong>Plan to Leave a
Legacy</strong></p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind legacy society, our
Dream Makers Circle, honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of members
and special friends of the National Federation of the Blind who have chosen to
leave a legacy through a will or other planned giving option. You can join the
Dream Makers Circle in a myriad of ways.</p> <p><strong>Fixed Sum of Assets</strong></p>
<p>You can specify that a fixed sum of your assets or property goes to the National
Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance policy,
brokerage account, or other accounts.</p> <p><strong>Percentage of Assets<br />
</strong>You can specify that a percentage of your assets or property goes to the
National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance
policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.</p> <p><strong>Payable on Death
(POD) Account</strong></p> <p>You can name the National Federation of the Blind
as the beneficiary on a Payable on Death (POD) account through your bank. You can
turn any checking or savings account into a POD account. This is one of the simplest
ways to leave a legacy. The account is totally in your control during your lifetime
and you can change the beneficiary or percentage at any time with ease.</p>
<p><strong>Will or Trust</strong></p> <p>If you do decide to create or revise your
will, consider the National Federation of the Blind as a partial beneficiary.</p>
<p>Visit our Planned Giving webpage (<a
href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving"><u>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving</u></a>)
or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.</p> <p>Together with
love, hope, determination, and your support, we will continue to transform dreams
into reality.</p> <p><strong>Ways to Contribute Now</strong></p> <p>Throughout
2021, the NFB:</p> <ul> <li><p>Sent nearly one thousand Braille Santa and Winter
Celebration letters to blind children, encouraging excitement for Braille
literacy.</p></li> <li><p>Distributed over five thousand canes to blind people
across the United States, empowering them to travel safely and independently
throughout their communities.</p></li> <li><p>Delivered audio newspaper and magazine
services to 126,823 subscribers, providing free access to over five hundred local,
national, and international publications.</p></li> <li><p>Gave over six hundred
Braille-writing slates and styluses free of charge to blind users.</p></li>
<li><p>Mentored 232 blind youth during our Braille Enrichment for Literacy
and Learning® Academy in-home editions.</p></li> </ul> <p>Just imagine what
we’ll do next year and, with your help, what can be accomplished for years
to come. Below are just a few of the many diverse, tax-deductible ways you can
lend your support to the National Federation of the Blind.</p> <p><strong>Vehicle
Donation Program</strong></p> <p>The NFB accepts donated vehicles, including cars,
trucks, boats, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. Just call 855-659-9314
toll-free, and a representative can make arrangements to pick up your donation.
We can also answer any questions you have.</p> <p><strong>General Donation</strong></p>
<p>General donations help support the ongoing programs of the NFB and the work to
help blind people live the lives they want. You can call 410-659-9314 and elect
option 4 to donate by phone. Donate online with a credit card or through the mail
with check or money order. Visit our Ways to Give webpage (<a
href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give"><u>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give</u></a>)
for more information. </p> <p><strong>Pre-Authorized Contribution</strong></p>
<p>Through the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters sustain the
efforts of the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring monthly
donations by direct withdrawal of funds from a checking account or a charge to a
credit card. To enroll, call 410-659-9314, extension 2213, or fill out our PAC
Donation Form (<a href="https://www.nfb.org/pac"><u>https://www.nfb.org/pac</u></a>)
online.</p> <p>If you have questions about giving, please send an email to <a
href="mailto:outreach@nfb.org"><u>outreach@nfb.org</u></a> or call 410-659-9314,
extension 2422.</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Deborah Kent Stein]</p> <h2
id="coming-to-our-senses"><em>Coming to Our Senses</em></h2> <p><strong>by Susan
R. Barry</strong></p> <p><strong>Reviewed by Deborah Kent Stein</strong></p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: I am often asked if the <em>Braille Monitor</em> would
like to review a book, and my answer is usually yes. My reservation is whom I can
ask to do it. Debbie Stein volunteered to review this one, and I am very glad she
did. Debbie’s history as a writer and a Federationist is so well known that
I will not repeat it here. The wonderful review she provides follows:</strong></p>
<p><em>Coming to Our Senses: A Boy Who Learned to See, A Girl Who Learned to Hear,
and How We All Discover the World</em></p> <p>by Susan R. Barry</p> <p>Basic Books,
2021</p> <p>ISBN: 9781541675155</p> <p>Available from Amazon, Kindle, audible.com,
and bookshare.org</p> <p>In the 1954 film <em>The Magnificent Obsession,</em> the
beautiful female lead (Jane Wyman) is blinded in an automobile accident. Years
later, the young doctor who loves her (Rock Hudson) performs a miraculous operation
that restores her vision. To the joy of her family and friends, Helen can see
again!</p> <p>Miracle cures like this appear so often in fiction and film that
they are woven into our cultural imagination. Yet the case histories of blind
people who gain vision through surgery tell a very different story. One of the
best-known cases in modern times is a man described in an essay by Oliver Sacks,
"To See or Not to See." Virgil, as Sacks called him, lost his sight in infancy
due to cataracts. When he was in midlife the cataracts were surgically removed,
and suddenly Virgil could see. However, his sight proved of little benefit, as he
could not interpret what he saw. He grew depressed, unable to live as a blind
person yet incapable of using the sight he had gained.</p> <p>MRI studies in people
who have been blind from birth or early childhood indicate that the visual cortex
is soon re-purposed to handle a variety of other tasks. Today it is widely believed
that vision restoration in a person blind from birth or early childhood is likely
to be unsuccessful after the age of eight. Similar findings raise questions about
the effectiveness of cochlear implants for people who are prelingually deaf. People
who receive implants after the first few years of life have trouble adjusting to
their new hearing.</p> <p>In <em>Coming to Our Senses</em> journalist Susan Barry
recounts the history of Liam, a young man with albinism whose vision was dramatically
improved with the implantation of a device called an intraocular lens (IOL). She
compares and contrasts Liam's story with the case of Zohra, a woman deaf from
birth who gained hearing when she received cochlear implants. Both Liam and Zohra
were in their teens when they had their surgeries; they had passed the age when
they might be expected to reap serious benefits. Yet, through ongoing effort spread
over many years, they both taught themselves to make use of the sensory information
that was now at their disposal.</p> <p>Liam was never totally blind. As a small
child he could make out blurry images up to four feet away, though his acuity
diminished, as he got older. His mother insisted that he begin Braille and cane
travel instruction in kindergarten, and he also learned to read large print. Liam
learned to deal with his low vision from early childhood, and he never regarded
his blindness as a tragedy.</p> <p>In 2005, when he was fifteen, an ophthalmologist
suggested that an IOL might greatly improve Liam's vision. After careful thought,
Liam and his mother decided he should undergo the surgery. Liam's perception of
colors improved, as did his depth perception, and his lifelong nystagmus
disappeared.</p> <p>Nevertheless, Liam struggled to interpret what he saw. "He
saw lines where one object ended and another began, where an object in front
occluded an object behind, or where a shadow was cast on a surface," Barry writes.
"He saw a tangled, fragmented world." As Barry explains, "understanding the lines
and colors he saw required constant attention and analysis." The effort was
overwhelming and exhausting.</p> <p>Over time, Liam gained a greater understanding
of the visual world, and the effort grew less intense. Yet fifteen years after
his surgery, he continued to piece together whole images by studying their
components. Climbing stairs posed dramatic challenges. "All the while, when I
move, the stairs are skewing and changing," Liam wrote, "and if you move around
a staircase extremely, some weird stuff can happen." In many instances, such as
taking buses and light rail, Liam continued to use his long white cane.</p> <p>Like
Liam, Zohra had to adjust to the hearing she acquired. She struggled to make sense
of the sounds that flooded her life after she received her cochlear implants. With
the help of her family, especially a devoted aunt, she worked every day to sort
through the cacophony and to master the enormous complexities of spoken language.
More than a decade later, she was still learning new sounds and discovering new
coping strategies.</p> <p>Unlike Sacks's Virgil, neither Liam nor Zohra regretted
undergoing their surgeries. Yet both of them acknowledged that adjustment to the
new sensory input required unending effort. They rose to the challenge and approached
their acquired senses with a sense of adventure.</p> <p><em>Coming to Our Senses</em>
thoroughly dispels the myth of the miracle cure. Barry reveals the vast complexity
of the mental processes most of us take for granted as we move through our noisy,
dazzling, mystifying world.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Ronza
Othman]</p> <h2 id="an-explanation-about-the-need-for-and-beauty-of-our-code-of-conduct">An
Explanation about the Need for and Beauty of our Code of Conduct</h2> <p><strong>by
Ronza Othman</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Ronza is well known to
readers. She holds down a fulltime job working as director of Equal Opportunity
Compliance at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. In addition, she is
our state president in Maryland, is active everywhere, and has given a lot of her
heart and mind to working as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Feedback Committee.
Here is her request of us as we work to make our Federation the kind of place
where anyone would be glad to visit and participate:</strong></p> <p>"Why do we
even need a Code of Conduct?” Many of us have heard this question or some
iteration of it over the last six or so years as we worked to conceptualize, then
articulate, then socialize the NFB Code of Conduct. As an organization we heard
it again as we made updates and process improvements. We heard sentiments like,
"We shouldn’t need a document to tell us how to get along with each
other,” or “no document is going to ever cover every potential
situation,” or “I don’t want to be treated like a child to
be told what I can and can’t do.”</p> <p>But others shared,
“I’m so glad there are some concrete policies that everyone is
expected to follow,” “The Code of Conduct just puts on paper what
we’ve always expected of our members and participants, and it’s a
good thing to all be on the same page,” and “I like that we are in
lockstep with society by incorporating principles and guidance on these areas.”
We also heard everything in between.</p> <p>It is our charge, as the NFB Code of
Conduct Feedback Committee, to engage with the membership about the Code of Conduct,
how to improve and enhance it, and how to make it accessible and available to all.
The Code sets out guidance for how members of the Federation should comport
ourselves. It establishes the minimum standard for how we should interact to ensure
the safety, full participation, and inclusion of our members, participants,
employees, guests, and volunteers. As we evolve as a community, our Code evolves,
and we are doing our best to get it right. To get it right though, we need all of
you.</p> <p>In early 2018 the NFB adopted a Code of Conduct, which provided policy
guidance in a variety of areas, including anti-discrimination, anti-harassment,
prevention of and response to sexual and other misconduct, conflict of interest,
and other important categories. The work to think through what the Code should
include and how to articulate its principles began several years before its 2018
adoption. Since 2018, the Code has been updated and enhanced several times. Most
recently, the NFB Board of Directors updated a revised Code in December of 2021.</p>
<p>As part of the most recent iteration of the NFB Code of Conduct, Article XI
included language that enhanced and more clearly spelled out how the Code would
be reviewed. “The President shall appoint a Code of Conduct Committee that
will review data and procedures regarding reports filed under this Code. The
Committee will monitor actions under this Code, gather feedback from the Federation
community about the Code, assist in educating the community about the Code and
procedures, and make recommendations to the National Federation of the Blind Board
of Directors as needed.”</p> <p>In early 2022, President Riccobono appointed
the Code of Conduct Feedback Committee to undertake this work. This Committee is
representative of the membership in that it consists of leaders and non-elected
members from across the Federation. Some of the Committee members are long-time
Federationists, and others are fairly new. The Committee includes mental health
professionals, teachers, mediators, parents of blind children, crisis support
personnel, and a variety of other professions. The members range from recent
graduate to retiree. The Committee is a cross section of the organization, but
also each member has a particular skillset or background that makes this work
particularly meaningful to them.</p> <p>As part of our charge, we are soliciting
feedback and suggestions from the Federation community about the Code of Conduct
and its associated processes. We recognize that some have participated in the Code
of Conduct, perhaps as a filer, complainant, respondent, witness, or a responsible
leader. We are very interested in feedback on the participant experience, and we
are committing to receiving that feedback in a manner that is both trauma informed
and protects confidentiality. However, we will caution that the Code of Conduct
Feedback Committee is not able to assess outcomes of matters brought under the
Code.</p> <p>We also recognize that there are some who have not yet fully bought
into the Code. We are interested to hear from these individuals as to their
perspectives as well. We want to assess barriers to participation in the Code
process, including attitudinal barriers, access barriers, and other barriers we
have not yet contemplated.</p> <p>We want the Federation community to think about
what, if any, aspects of the Code the Board should enhance, augment, or change.
We want feedback on how the Code could be socialized more widely and how to get
buy-in from individuals who have not yet done so. We want to know how to enhance
the training mechanisms and resources that are available. We want to know what
has worked, what hasn’t, and what ideas people have that could work in the
future.</p> <p>To that end, we are inviting individuals to engage with us. Those
wishing to share feedback and suggestions are encouraged to email the Code of
Conduct Feedback Committee at <a href="mailto:Codefeedback@nfb.org">Codefeedback@nfb.org</a>
or call us at 410-659-9314, extension 2284. We plan to hold some office hours at
the 2022 NFB National Convention, where we will be on hand to speak individually
and in person with those who would like to engage with us. We also plan to send
out a survey this fall to the NFB community. If people have additional suggestions
about how we can engage with the membership, please share those ideas with us at
the email address or phone number provided.</p> <p>We want to make sure the NFB
Code of Conduct is effective, fair, and easy to understand. We also want to ensure
that people feel comfortable and safe using it if they need to do so. We want it
to be accessible, meaningful, and usable. We want the participant experience to
be as easy as it can be. We want people to trust in the Code and its processes.
And we want it to be representative of what our community wants and needs it to
be. We are asking you to help us in this effort.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Nancy Burns]</p> <h2 id="when-it-is-okay-to-say-yes">When it is Okay to
Say “Yes”</h2> <p><strong>by Nancy Burns</strong></p> <p><strong>From
the Editor: Nancy is a longtime leader in the National Federation of the Blind
and often makes contributions to our magazine. Here is another of her thoughtful
offerings, this time speaking about independence, when it must be asserted, when
it may take second place to meet the temporary needs of another, and the way in
which it may change over time. Enjoy:</strong></p> <p>Diversity in opinions and
long-held philosophical beliefs could possibly create a platform for open discussion
on a variety of issues. The following comments are based on my own personal
experiences, however, I believe that as a longtime Federationist, others will
relate to these words.</p> <p>Learning that in 1940 Dr. Jacobus tenBroek possessed
enough faith in blind individuals to create the cornerstone of the National
Federation of the Blind became the source of my own philosophy of life. Fortunately,
such Federationists as Dr. Isabelle Grant and Lawrence (Muzzy) Marcelino were my
personal mentors and contributed to my growth as an independent blind woman. These
names may not be familiar to all, but they were most incredible and positive
influences within the state of California.</p> <p>It was with the encouragement
of Dr. Grant that I joined the blind student’s group. For the first time,
I observed young, blind students traveling independently all through the city of
Los Angeles to attend NFB and other meetings. They were even planning a trip to
San Francisco for a state convention. I swallowed my fear and traveled with my
new friends. By observing students buying tickets, boarding a Greyhound bus, and
checking into a hotel, I gained valuable lessons not taught in any of my classes.
I simply observed, learned, and enjoyed this trip. It was a challenging and totally
exciting experience for me. I learned that I, too, could travel independently with
the use of my long white cane and my hearing. My self-confidence took a huge boost
during this trip.</p> <p>My good fortune continued as I met and worked with Dr.
Kenneth Jernigan. His seminars were brilliant and energizing. It was he who not
only confirmed my concept of independence but convinced me that independence was
and still is the right choice for me. A portion of this philosophy was to adapt
the belief that blindness should not be used to take advantage of certain situations.
There are negative repercussions when blindness is used in this manner. I can
still hear him saying, “There is no free lunch”. Thus, my philosophy
of life was truly established.</p> <p>In addition to formulating my own independence,
I developed the desire to work with and advocate for other blind people. While
bringing together blind individuals, it became apparent that peer interaction is
invaluable. Working with people who are recently experiencing vision loss is
particularly rewarding. It has always been my desire to share with others the
message of independence that was so generously shared with me.</p> <p>Though it
was at first surprising to me, it was sometimes difficult to make the right decision
as I practiced my own independence. For example, while standing in a long bank,
store, or other such line, there have been times when I was told I could move to
the head of the line. If I felt that this offer was based only on my blindness,
I politely thanked the person but refused the offer. It was my habit to allow time
for such situations. One such incident occurred as I was standing in a long bank
line during my lunch break. It was the manager who offered me the opportunity to
step ahead of others in the line. I thanked him and said that most everyone else
was more than likely on their lunch break, and I chose not to step ahead. The
lunch break was important to all of us, so why should I be allowed to move ahead
of others simply because of my blindness? At the time, I was working in a Federal
building in Los Angeles and knew that the majority of the people were waiting to
cash checks since it was payday. I have often pondered the basis of such actions.
Was the manager motivated by pity? Thinking of this always causes me to be
uncomfortable and encourages me to educate the public about blindness. I was
learning that microaggressions about blindness does exist and have attempted to
deal with it during my life experiences.</p> <p>Since I was working in Los Angeles,
it was necessary to navigate busy and congested sidewalks and to cross noisy
intersections. While waiting at one such intersection, all too often someone would
grab my arm and drag me across the street. This usually resulted in my becoming
rather disoriented when my long white cane missed my usual landmarks. These
incidents caused me to become resistant when such a person felt obligated to guide
me. However, if I stood at an unfamiliar intersection, I was comfortable saying
“yes” when asked if I needed assistance. There are simply times when
it becomes necessary to say, “yes please,” rather than the usual
“no thank you.” Safety is always the issue in such circumstances.
I suppose the obvious question that arises is does saying “yes”
really cause the loss of independence? This question is, and likely will be debated
forever. The answer is not easy. If I don’t know the skill and am not
comfortable using it, taking the help reduces my independence or lengthens the
time it takes me to gain it. If I have crossed the street so often that I could
do it in my sleep, perhaps saying yes is okay.</p> <p>Some years later I was
working for the California Department of Rehabilitation and had the opportunity
to travel to London with a friend. During this trip, a most favorite memory and
experience took place while walking independently down Bronson Road during lunch
hour for Londoners. I was able to step out of a department store and simply walk
along with other busy Londoners. As I stopped at a noisy intersection to listen
to traffic flow, a gentleman asked if he could assist. I said yes, that would be
helpful. I was quite competent in listening to the traffic flow in Los Angeles,
but in London, the traffic was moving in the wrong direction, and I chose not to
risk becoming a hood ornament on a fast-moving vehicle. So, when a Londoner stopped
and asked if he could assist, I said I was looking for Selfridges department store.
He advised me that it was across the street and that he, too, would be crossing.
He simply walked beside me, and when we reached the opposite side of the street,
he told me that he was going to the right and that the store was to my left. I
thanked him and continued down the sidewalk. All of this is to say that my philosophy
of independence has helped me to feel good about myself. These events occurred
during the 1970s and ’80s.</p> <p>Fast forward to the early 1990s. During
a convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Dallas, Texas, it was my
pleasure to room with a dear friend who held the same basic philosophy about
independence as I hold. It was during this conference when I met, and soon afterwards
married, Don Burns. It was the second marriage for both of us, and he was recently
experiencing vision loss. But had quickly adapted a similar philosophy of
independence. All of this is simply to lay the background for the next several
years of my life. As a blind couple, we have traveled extensively, and our
experiences are phenomenal. We have learned to accept those sometimes demeaning
and often annoying comments while at the same time attempting to educate the
offender. The general public has little connection with the blind population and
is unaware of the vast interests and abilities of those of us who happen to be
blind. We are often called amazing or even courageous. If time allows, we spout
a quick response, always indicating that we are just travelers who happen to be
blind.</p> <p>As we age, and our bodies slow down, we learned that saying,
“yes, thanks” becomes easier. This is somewhat difficult because of
my years of independence and of politely refusing such assistance. Don and I have
learned that at times it becomes necessary to swallow our pride and put safety
first. During a recent trip abroad, we were in customs and heading toward a down
escalator. Both of us were loaded down with luggage and backpacks. When a customs
agent advised us of the location of an elevator, we both readily accepted the
suggestion. Based on the years of declining such suggestions, this acceptance was
tough. We both realized that it was time to put safety first.</p> <p>All of this
is to say that we do not lose our independence when accepting assistance.
Self-confidence or the lack thereof is the true issue in such cases. The National
Federation of the Blind, the largest and most powerful organization of the blind,
is the backbone of the blind population in the United States. Throughout the
decades, hundreds if not thousands of blind people have become successful and
effective members of society.</p> <p>All of this is the result of a forward
thinking, young, blind professor. I doubt that Dr. Jacobus tenBroek had any
realization about the impact his philosophy would have on the lives of future
blind citizens. Thank goodness he did what he did, and thanks also that we continue
to do what we do.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Gary Wunder]</p> <h2
id="how-the-monitor-is-built-its-timelines-and-making-it-what-you-want-it-to-be">How
the Monitor is Built, its Timelines, and Making it What You Want it to Be</h2>
<p><strong>by Gary Wunder</strong></p> <p>It seems that the coronavirus has
interfered in everything we have come to expect, and the <em>Braille Monitor</em>
has not been immune—particularly our hardcopy formats. When we produce
hardcopy as in the case of Braille, large print, and our audio thumb drives, we
necessarily extend the time for publication if needed. As helpful as it is to put
our magazine out through email, on the web, and on NFB-NEWSLINE®, given the
speed with which electronic documents can be published, we believe there are a
significant number of readers who still want and need the publication in a form
that is delivered directly to their homes. What we always wrestle with is the
desire to publish late-breaking news and the need to get the publication out on
time.</p> <p>Here is a review of how the hardcopy timeline has been affected most
recently. Vendors have had difficulty because the virus has hit its staff, and
the virus is even interfered with necessary servicing of their equipment. One
issue had to be completely redone, so we offer our most sincere apology to those
who read the hard-copy edition in Braille. There have been minor delays in the
print issue as well. And the National Federation of the Blind is investigating
the unacceptable delays in the Free Matter service from the U.S. Postal Service.
The most recent delay comes from me, having contracted the coronavirus yet a second
time and delaying our June 2022 publication by about a week. Our goal has been
for readers to have hardcopies at least by the end of the same month, which has
not been met.</p> <p>So that our readers understand the way the publication is
built and the deadlines we use, here is a brief outline. When we get an article
that we are privileged to run, it is first read and edited by me as the editor.
It then gets a format check by Elyse Bryan, and later she takes all of the individual
articles we have assembled and places them into one document based on the order
that I specify. Normally this document is compiled as early as the tenth or as
late as the fifteenth of the month. The document, written in Microsoft Word, is
then submitted to our first proofreader, Lorraine Rovig, who examines it for errors
in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and overall clarity. Any suggestions for changes
get run by me, the word document is updated, and it then gets sent to our art
director, Suzanne Shaffer. She then uses the Word document to create the multicolumn
document we will use for the print edition by importing it to Adobe InDesign. That
layout then goes to a second proofreader, who not only looks for the errors listed
above, but also looks for errors in layout and opportunities presented by the
print format to pull out certain notable quotations. Again we do a review session,
and the corrected document, this time an electronic version of pages marked up by
pencil and pen, goes back to Suzanne who incorporates all of the changes into the
Microsoft Word document and the multi-column layout produced in Adobe InDesign.
Once this is done, we subject the final document to a light review and send it
off for embossing and printing.</p> <p>Shortly after the document is submitted
for the hardcopies, then the audio is recorded by Will Schwatka and also proofed,
and the digital formats are setup on our website under <a
href="https://nfb.org/publications">nfb.org/publications</a>. The digital format
is typically available on the first of each month. A few months ago, we made the
decision to delay a deadline date because we were waiting for an important piece
of information from the White House. With these various changes on our timelines,
we are seeking your feedback.</p> <p>Understanding your thoughts and expectations
regarding the <em>Braille Monitor</em> would be helpful in determining where we
may evolve the timelines. Is it more important for the <em>Braille Monitor</em>
to be predictably on time or would an occasional delay for late breaking news be
your preference? Are you accessing multiple formats as they become available? Do
you prefer to think of the <em>Monitor</em> being Issue One through Issue Eleven,
or do you prefer that it continue to be designated by month and be closely linked
by date?</p> <p>The <em>Braille Monitor</em> belongs to all of us in the Federation
so that we can remain informed and included. We have no higher obligation than to
meet the desire of our readers. Please share your comments with me by writing to
<a href="mailto:gwunder@nfb.org">gwunder@nfb.org</a>. Though we won’t be
using a formal survey, you will be heard, and what you say will be taken into
account. Any other input you care to share will also be welcome.</p> <p>----------</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Peggy Chong]</p> <h2 id="she-had-an-anteater">She Had an
Anteater</h2> <p><strong>by Peggy Chong</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor:
Peggy Chong is often featured in these pages because of what she reveals about
blind people who have played such a part in building what we now enjoy but would
otherwise get little credit were it not for her efforts. For me what she writes
is therapeutic. So many times in my life, I have thought I was a pioneer, but the
reality is that I was traveling a road that some blind person had helped to build.
I sometimes have felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders,
but the reality is that people who had far less to work with carried the burden
every bit as well as I have and in many cases have done it far better. Here is a
splendid example of a woman who enjoyed her life, focusing not on her adversities
but on how she could live the life she wanted. Here is Peggy’s
article:</strong></p> <p>Hello Blind History Lady Fans:</p> <p>One of my more
interesting ancestors this past year is Emily Raspberry. There was so little
written about her and yet so much to tell. Following is a glimpse into what I have
learned of this incredibly strong woman.</p> <p>Born December 12, 1915, in Alabama,
Emily came down with the flu at age four. When she recovered from the flu, she
was totally blind. Her little sister died from the flu on December 20, 1918.</p>
<p>Emily's mother sent her to public school with her older brother. No accommodations
for a blind Black child were possible, so Emily listened and participated in class
orally, not learning to read or write. Finally, Emily was enrolled at the Alabama
School for the Negro Deaf and Blind in the fall of 1926.</p> <p>Emily was homesick,
but there was so much to learn. In only two weeks, she mastered the Braille Code
and read all 130 books the school owned. A new world opened to her. She had a
glimpse of the sighted world, and she wanted to be a part of it. Her teachers were
impressed with Emily's quick acquisition of the Braille Code and placed her in
the upper class. She studied hard to cram in several years of learning into her
first year.</p> <p>Emily returned home for the first time on May 22, 1927, to find
her mother gravely ill. Emily was home only a few hours before her mother died.
Instead of returning home as she intended, immersed in the joy of showing how well
she was able to learn as a blind child, she was faced with the shock that came
from the death of her mother and the heart-wrenching separation from her family
that would follow.</p> <p>A funeral was planned in days. After the funeral, Emily
was told she would live with her half-sister in West Virginia. She was enrolled
in the West Virginia School for the Colored Blind almost immediately. She found
they had twice the Braille books in their library and magazines in Braille. Emily
threw herself into her studies. She found the classes harder than in Alabama.</p>
<p>Unlike other schools, West Virginia held unsegregated classes that included
both the deaf and the blind students. The boys had one dorm and the girls the
other. There were no separate dorms for the blind and deaf students. Rooms were
crowded; sometimes three or four boys shared one that would have been considered
small for two.</p> <p>There is no record of when Emily graduated, but it is believed
to be either 1932 or 1933. She enrolled at the West Virginia State College for
Negro's in Dunbar. At the end of her first year of college in 1935, she knew she
wanted to be a teacher in a school for the blind. Her hope was to share her love
of reading and literature to the blind and colored students she taught, her hope
being they would come to experience many of the possibilities offered by the
outside world.</p> <p>Emily graduated in 1938 and continued classes through the
West Virginia State College, enabling her to become a certified teacher of the
blind. She received her master's degree from Hampton University.</p> <p>Emily
started as an academic teacher in the primary grades at the West Virginia School
for the Colored Blind in 1940 in Institute, West Virginia, a town located near
Charleston. She taught reading and writing for the blind and deaf children in her
classes.</p> <p>On her desk she had a toy anteater. Over the years, the anteater
showed its wear. Emily decided the toy needed to be disposed of. Knowing her
students loved the anteater, frequently saying hello or goodbye to it, she set up
a funeral for the anteater. The class went out and dug a shallow grave for the
toy, placed it in the grave, and held a short service.</p> <p>When the school for
the white in Romney and the school for the colored combined in 1955, Emily was
one of only three teachers from the colored school that made the transfer. Not
all the colored students from the Institute transitioned to Romney.</p> <p>The
staff at Romney were friendly, but Emily did not mix socially. For at least the
first year, she took a room in the student dorms, as did the other single teachers.
As a single woman, and the only Black faculty in the blind department, she may
have felt out of place.</p> <p>In reading classes when she recognized a spark,
she assigned a poetry lesson for spelling class to bring out the creativity of
the students. The children were encouraged to write a poem, including all of the
spelling words for the week. In her Braille classes, she taught the students to
work with a slate and stylus, while other teachers used the Perkins Braillewriter.</p>
<p>She incorporated listening to the radio into her classes to ensure her student's
interest. They were assigned lessons to write about what they heard. The eighth-grade
class in 1956 wrote a quiz show based on the show, "The Big Surprise."</p> <p>Emily
supervised school trips to watch plays or listen to concerts. For years, she had
season tickets to the Cumberland Classical Musical Series. Each year Emily paid
for four student season passes for those with an interest in music. She took the
students by riding the bus or hiring a driver.</p> <p>When a movie of
interest—mostly historical films such as <em>Man of All Seasons</em> came
to town, she asked students to accompany her to the movie theater in Romney. She
paid for their tickets and treated them to their own box of popcorn.</p> <p>A
memorable year was 1967 when she was chosen to supervise a student teacher. Emily
was honored and proud as the student teacher was a former blind student.</p> <p>In
1969, Emily taught health. This was most likely not her favorite subject, but she
entered the class with the same enthusiasm as her English classes, even though
textbooks were more than twenty years old. One assignment was to make up word
puzzles relating to their health lessons. When the project was over, the best
questions were put into an article for the school newspaper, <em>The Tablet</em>,
to show how much her students learned that semester.</p> <p>Later she took an
apartment above a restaurant. Rickety wooden stairs led to her door. The apartment
overlooked Main Street. The entire space may have been no more than nine hundred
square feet.</p> <p>Emily frequently took the Greyhound bus to Washington, DC.
When a student of hers also rode the bus, she talked to them about their schoolwork
or family. In class, Emily mentioned her travels to DC, commenting on the friendliness
of the staff to her and sadness that maids in the hotels were paid so little.</p>
<p>Other blind teachers from the school asked to have their meat cut or their tea
poured from the pot on the table, but not Emily. She insisted she would cut her
own meat, pour her own tea, and serve herself.</p> <p>Summer vacations were never
wasted. She took classes at Harvard. In 1961 she worked as a proofreader for
Perkins Braille Press. Vacations meant spending time in exhibits at the planetarium,
museums, concerts, exhibits on history and more. Usually these were attended in
Boston. There were also trips to attend conventions of the AAWB [American Association
of Workers for the Blind], of which she was a member.</p> <p>At one concert, she
spoke briefly to Senator Edward Kennedy, also attending. Their meeting was exciting
for Emily, and she took the news back to her students about this encounter with
a man who would make history.</p> <p>Emily retired at the end of the 1977 school
term and moved to Boston. She kept in touch with some of the Romney residents.
They wrote to her in print, and she answered them in print. She died September
12, 1988, in Vermont.</p> <p>If you would like to schedule a presentation, contact
Peggy Chong at <a href="mailto:theblindhistorylady@gmail.com">theblindhistorylady@gmail.com</a>
or call me at 303-745-0473, or cell 515-707-5915, <a
href="mailto:chongpegg10@gmail.com">chongpegg10@gmail.com</a>. You can read more
of my books at <a
href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/24325">https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/24325</a>.</p>
<p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Annie Schlesinger]</p> <h2 id="eye-talk">Eye
Talk</h2> <p><strong>by Annie Schlesinger</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor:
Annie has written before for our publication, and she is an advocate for learning
how to age and deal with the problems that come with it and with blindness. In
this article, she talks about her problems with balance, offers some comments,
and subtly asks for ideas. Anyone having them can send them to her at <a
href="mailto:anniembbs@gmail.com">anniembbs@gmail.com</a>. Here is what she has
to say:</strong></p> <p>In May 2021 I was changing clothes; I bent over, fell on
my arm, and broke my wrist. I discovered Tucson orthopedic Institute has a weekday
evening walk-in clinic. Since that time, I have had trouble with my balance as
well as some pain and stiffness in that arm and hand.</p> <p>Preparing for blindness
and aging has helped me during this time. I have been to a neurologist; and ear,
nose, and throat specialist; and have also visited physical therapy. Fortunately,
I didn’t have a stroke, but if I had called 911, the tests and scans
could<span dir="rtl">’ve</span> been done in the ER instead of waiting
months for appointments. I ended up with a diagnosis of Central Vestibular Disorder,
which seems to be a catchall diagnosis for my problems. I have an imbalance problem
and often bad pain in my head along with nausea. I have another referral to a
neurologist.</p> <p>Sessions with a physical therapist have helped me with my
balance and feelings of dizziness, but some degree of dizziness is always present.
I continue to do home exercises for both balance and dizziness. I look around my
senior living community and have incorporated some new behaviors. I don<span
dir="rtl">’</span>t bend over, or if I do, I hang onto something and keep
my head up. I seem to fall forward, but I have a friend who says she has to be
careful about falling backwards. I set up a dressing chair; it has arms and faces
the bed. I have a shower chair, hand-held shower hose, and grab bars; I need it
all.</p> <p>For a number of months I have been pushing a personal shopping cart
for support and protection—not the best solution. I need to get back to
using the long white cane to travel safely. I don’t want to use a walker,
which requires two hands and a third hand for the long cane. It<span
dir="rtl">’</span>s possible, but it<span dir="rtl">’</span>s one
step at a time. It seems my choice is a support cane, a Hemi Walker, or to propel
myself by my feet in a wheelchair with the long white cane sweeping in front. I
am trying a lightweight shopping cart I pull behind with the long white cane in
front. I am looking for help on what best to do as a blind person who has very
poor balance.</p> <p><a href="http://vestibular.org"><u>Vestibular.org</u></a>
has an incredible amount of information about diseases and balance. The eyes affect
balance; I do gaze-stabilization exercises. I have joined two of their online
support groups as I try to learn about this impact on my life and continue to
maintain as much independence as I can. Thank you for any suggestions.</p>
<p>----------</p> <h2 id="nfb-pledge">NFB Pledge</h2> <p>I pledge to participate
actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality,
opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of
the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.</p> </body> </html>