[Iabs-talk] The Braille Examiner Winter 2007.doc
Connie J. Davis
condav8950 at att.net
Mon Dec 10 21:35:11 CST 2007
The Braille ExamineR
A Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Winter 2007
Table of Contents
Contact Information.............................................................................................p. 1
Announcements.......................................................................................................p. 1
Message from our president..........................................................................p. 5
Chapter News.............................................................................................................p. 6
Blackhawk
Chicago
Ferris Wheel
Heartland
IABS
Local Newsline Numbers.................................................................................p. 13
2007 Resolutions.................................................................................................p. 15
NFBI Scholarship Class 2007....................................................................p. 16
Appreciation.............................................................................................................p. 17
Meet A Fellow Federationist :Peter Grunwald.............................p. 19
Editors: Connie J. Davis & Debbie Stein
President: Patti Gregory Chang
CONTACT INFORMATION
President: Patti Gregory-Chang, (773) 307-6440, pattisgregory at comcast.net
Editor: Connie Davis, (773) 338-6922, condav8950 at att.net
Editor: Deborah Kent Stein, (773) 631-1093, dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net.
Print Duplication & Distribution: Carmen Dennis, carmen88 at comcast.net, (773) 583-0899
Tape & Braille duplication: Debbie Pittman, Pittman Enterprises & Associates, pittman.e.a at cometlink.com, (773) 779-1856, fax (773) 779-2763
Website: www.nfbofillinois.org; Webmaster, Ruth Anne Wheeler
Proofreaders: Carmen Dennis, Charlie Dennis, Patti Chang & Meghan Joost
Announcements:
Address and format changes should be mailed, e-mailed or phoned to Connie Davis.
Comments or compliments about the print newsletter should be addressed with Carmen Dennis.
Comments or compliments about the cassette or Braille edition should be addressed with Debbie Pittman.
Comments or compliments about the electronic version should be addressed with Connie Davis.
Members with e-mail addresses are kindly requested to receive their newsletter in electronic format to help defray production costs.
Please return your cassette in the enclosed self-addressed envelope for tape recycling.
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2008 NFB Junior Science Academy
By Kelly Doty
On July 23-27, the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Maryland will open its doors to the youngest group of scientific explorers yet. Thirty blind and low vision students in grades three through six (ages 8-12) will be accepted for this unique opportunity. Participants will discover that science is FUN through hands-on instruction, field trips, and interactive activities. Students will find the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects more accessible and engaging with the use of alternative techniques demonstrated by blind educators and mentors.
Each student will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. While the students are busy experiencing the excitement of science, workshops for parents/guardians will take place. Topics covered will include Braille literacy, orientation and mobility, advocacy, and much more. These workshops will give parents/guardians the tools and resources necessary to help their child succeed in the future.
The National Federation of the Blind, at no cost, will provide transportation, room, and board for each student and one parent/guardian who participate. The Jernigan Institute must receive applications by March 31, 2008. For further details visit www.blindscience.org or contact Mary Jo Thorpe at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407, or at MThorpe at nfb.org.
March for Independence 2008
Submitted by LeAnne Mayne, from www.nfb.org
If you haven't signed up yet for our March 2008 the National Office reminds us to do so.
"SPONSOR A MARCHER OR BECOME ONE YOURSELF"
"What Is the March?"
"The March for Independence is a 5K walk-a-thon and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind, their friends, family, and supporters, which will raise funds for the Imagination Fund. The Imagination Fund supports local and state outreach efforts for
blind people in your local community, and blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision through the programs and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Jernigan Institute.
When Is the March?
The March for Independence will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 amidst the 68th National Federation of the Blind annual convention in Dallas, Texas. Learn more about our national conventions and remember to visit www.nfb.org often for updates on the registration process. Please note that registering for national convention is a completely separate process than registering for the March."
If you have questions, please contact LeAnne Mayne, leanne at uddle.com.
A Message from Our President
Presidential Report, December 2007--January 2008
By: Patti S. Gregory-Chang
At this writing we are all recovered from an awesome convention 2007. We registered 104 participants and can boast the highest luncheon attendance I can recall. Speakers came from as far as Harvard University. Both of our national representatives, Ryan Strunk and Joanne Wilson, carried out their duties with enthusiasm and caring.
On December 15th, 2007 from 1:00 until we are done, we will have an envelope-stuffing and pizza party at the home of Debbie Stein. We will prepare to mail 1500 packets containing NFBI scholarship, internship, and student seminar applications to schools and individual students throughout the states. Please give Debbie a call at 773-631-1093 to let her know if you are coming.
We look to 2008 with energy. We're planning another student seminar, and we're finalizing arrangements for our state convention to be held in Kankakee. We'll be sending a strong delegation to Washington Seminar, and our next state legislative endeavor begins soon. I'll send out committee appointments by the end of December. Please let me know if you wish to serve on any state committee. My phone number is 773-307-6440.
Our state NFBI board meeting will be on December 16, 2007 via conference call. Just dial 712-432-2700 and use NFBI (6324) as the code to enter the call. All are welcome.
-- Patti S. Gregory-Chang President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois pattisgregory at comcast.net, www.nfbofillinois.org
Chapter News
News from the Blackhawk Chapter
By Bob Gardner
The NFBI Blackhawk Chapter holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Our meeting place is the South Moline Township Center located at 637-17th Avenue, East Moline.
In November, 9 chapter members attended the NFBI state convention at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island. Chapter member Harold Palash spoke to the general session, reflecting on his many years of involvement with the NFB. Chapter member Nancy Gardner hosted the Significant Others' Breakfast. Chapter president Bob Gardner was reelected to the state board of the NFB of Illinois. Besides participating in the many seminars and business sessions, chapter members had fun singing, or doing what passed for singing, in the "IABS Idol" event on Friday night.
Our Christmas party on the evening of Saturday, December 8 took the place of our regular December meeting. The Christmas party was held at Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline, and featured a terrific dinner prepared by the Wesleyan Group of the church. Over 40 members and guests attended the event. A Christmas program of singing and inspiration was presented by chapter members Alfonso Ayew-ew and Linda Jasper.
Our first meeting of the new year will be held on Saturday, January 12. We will discuss as a group what we should do in 2008. We plan to come up with ideas and suggestions which will strengthen our chapter and push us in new directions. This should be an exciting meeting, a chance for all to contribute to a new era for our chapter.
The NFBI Blackhawk Chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, "Hawk Talk". The newsletter is available by E-mail through the NFBI IL-Talk listserv and on the NFBI website. You can also be put on a mailing list for either an E-mail version or a hardcopy version by contacting Bob Gardner.
We are the blind speaking for the blind, and are changing what it means to be blind in the Quad-Cities and northwestern Illinois.
Chicago Chapter Roundup
By Debbie Stein
In October the Chicago Chapter hosted a New Members' Tea before our regular business meeting. After socializing over coffee and pastries, we settled down for an excellent program on adaptive technology led by Ronza Othman. Ronza, David Wright, Dave Meyer, Patti Chang and Byron Lee described the technology they use and answered a host of questions. At our November meeting Frankie Shipman from the Cook County Department of Health gave a presentation about emergency preparedness, and opened discussion about how communities can best meet the needs of the blind population.
For Meet-the-Blind Month the Chicago Chapter sponsored a "Carson's Day". Joe and Mary Monti and Dave and Theresa Meyer sold discount books and distributed NFB literature at the store. The Chicago Chapter and IABS held a jointly-sponsored event at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Ronza Othman and Steve Hastalis spent the day at the college, meeting students and talking about blindness-related issues. Carmen Dennis, Kelly Doty, Mary Lou Grunwald and Bob Widman staffed a booth at this year's Discovery Vision Conference at the Merchandise Mart on December 6 and 7.
Do you have an old laptop that you haven't used since you bought your new one last summer? When you upgraded your cell phone, did you shove the old one into the back of a drawer? Dig them out and bring them to the Chicago Chapter! We have launched a brand-new fundraising endeavor, recycling electronic equipment with EcoPhones. EcoPhones gives us cash for cell phones, laptops, ink-jet cartridges, DVDs, and many other items. If you would like to help, please contact me at 773-631-1093 or dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net.
In addition to EcoPhones, we are still holding our traditional fundraisers. If you have a sweet tooth, holler for a Chicago Chapter member. Our fall candy sale is in full swing, and we have a generous supply of World's Finest Chocolate to brighten your day. We're also selling tickets to a Chicago Bulls game with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, March 25th. At our December meeting Anthony Thomas conducted our annual holiday auction.
The Chicago Chapter meets on the second Saturday of the month at 1 P.M. at the Exchequer Pub and Restaurant, 226 S. Wabash in Chicago. Please join us!
Ferris Wheel Chapter News
By Cathy Randall
The NFBI Ferris Wheel Chapter will hold a "pack the house" leafleting and fundraising dinner at El Rancherito Restaurant in Jacksonville on Monday, December 17. We will receive 15 percent of the restaurant's earnings between 3 P.M. and 9 P.M. that evening. We'll hand out Kernel Books stamped with my phone number to all restaurant patrons at this event. This fundraiser will serve as our chapter's Christmas dinner. It will be an excellent opportunity to educate the public about positive attitudes toward blindness.
Our Chapter van brought eleven people to State Convention in November, including three students from ISVI, thanks to Convention sponsorships from Rock Island and Jacksonville Lions Clubs. We will continue to work to involve ISVI students in our chapter. We wish to thank Tammy Balthis for driving the van this year. The Prairieland United Way helps support our annual Convention expenses.
For more information, please phone Chapter President Cathy Randall--217-243-3529.
Kankakee Heartland News
By Bill Isaacs
On Saturday, December 1, 2007, the Kankakee Heartland Chapter met at Capriotti's Restaurant in Bradley for our annual Christmas luncheon. Eighteen people were in attendance. We enjoyed good fellowship and a delicious lunch.
On Saturday, January 5th, we will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Bourbonnais Public Library, 250 West John Casey Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois. Judy Krecek will tell us about her extended travels in Hawaii with her guide dog Nepa. In February, we will meet on the 2nd, again at the Bourbonnais Public Library. Our program will include a play from the Louisiana Center for the Blind entitled "The Path I Did Not Know". Discussion will follow. On March 1st, we will convene at our usual meeting spot at the usual time. We will hold our annual elections.
Kandi Power is scheduled for a second kidney transplant. Member JoAnn Rushing is donating a kidney for her. Mike Doris, immediate past president, is now living in a nursing home in Gillman, Illinois. He's had a rough time but his health shows signs of improving.
Chapter President Bill Isaacs and Kankakee Heartland members wish everyone a good Christmas.
Items from IABS
By Ronza Othman
The Illinois Association of Blind Students enjoyed a very successful State Convention. On Friday afternoon we hosted a workshop on interacting with the press, led by Megan Joost and Rob Hobson. The workshop featured interactive role-play on proper and improper ways to be interviewed by the media. Participants learned techniques for conveying useful information and publicizing events and programs.
IABS also hosted the Second Annual IABS Idol on Friday night. Participants performed originals and covered musical acts. Congratulations to our Buffalo Boy and Girl, Joe and Mary Monti, on their award-winning performance. Judges Simon Julia Chang, National Rep JoAnn Wilson, and NABS Rep Ryan Strunk critiqued the performances and selected the winner. Thank you to everyone who participated. A CD is available for purchase for $10. Please contact Ronza Othman at 708-829-0523 or by email at aznor99 at aol.com to place your order.
IABS also held our Fall Business Meeting during the IABS Breakfast. More people attended than at any prior IABS meeting. We discussed our past accomplishments and future plans. Information on the Winter Business Meeting will be forthcoming.
The Illinois Association of Blind Students hosted the Student Luncheon Saturday afternoon. We honored students for their work, their triumphs, and their determination. NABS Rep Ryan Strunk gave a moving keynote address, discussing the need for blind students to explore their abilities, resist the fear of failure, and combine blindness skills and philosophy to find a meaningful and productive place in the world. Additionally, IABS presented Excellence in Teaching Awards to Michelle Peterson (first-grade teacher) and Gaylan Kapperman (university professor). IABS also honored Carmen Dennis for her service to IABS. Finally, the 2007 scholarship class introduced itself to the Convention. Each scholarship recipient spoke about his or her background and educational goals. And of course, the food was amazing.
Once again this year, IABS held a 50/50 raffle during Convention. The winner of the raffle generously donated his prize back to the IABS treasury. As a result, we earned $232 from the raffle.
IABS is accepting dues for 2008. Anyone wishing to join IABS should send a check for $5 to Alyson Slaughter at P.O. Box 3066A, Chicago, IL 60690, or by bringing checks or cash to any Chicago Chapter meeting. Please make checks payable to Illinois Association of Blind Students. We welcome both students and non-students. IABS will forward $2 of the $5 to your local chapter to cover 2008 dues.
As 2007 comes to a close, we look back on what we've accomplished this year. This was our first full year of existence in several years. We came together, Board members and the general membership alike, to plan, to work, to dream. We wanted our student division to have a place in this state, to do meaningful work, to improve the standard of educational excellence among blind students. Through our efforts and programs, we've done that. We put on a wildly successful spring student seminar. We sent members to Washington Seminar and National Convention. We met with our legislators on the Hill. We worked with state agencies to ensure that students receive quality services. We increased our membership from 2006 by nearly 300%.
And yet, we know that we still have much to do. We know that we've only just begun making our mark. We know it takes hard work, commitment, and resilience to change the status quo. But we know, as students and as Federationists, that the work is necessary and vital. That's why we will continue the work we began in 2007 throughout 2008. But we will do it better, harder, stronger. And we'll do much, much more because our future begins now.
Local NewsLine(r) Numbers
By David Meyer
Ever since I've been the NFB-NEWSLINE(r) coordinator, I've had people asking me what local number they should call. Unfortunately, I've never felt quite certain if I was giving the right information. As is so often the case, we manage to complicate things here in Illinois. Because of the way phone services have been structured, particularly in the Greater Chicago area, Illinois has a lot of local Newsline(r) numbers--29 to be exact!
With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a list of local numbers. Please remember that NFB-NEWSLINE(r) has a toll-free number which you should continue to use if you do not have a phone plan that includes unlimited long-distance, or if you live in an area which is not served by one of the local numbers listed below.
If you are using NFB-NEWSLINE(r) from a local phone for the first time, your local number should be given when you reach the service. If you are not sure whether any of the local numbers might serve your area, call the National Federation of the Blind toll-free at 866-504-7300. If you know that you do not have a local number and you do not have unlimited long-distance as part of your phone service, continue to use the toll-free number: 1-888-882-1629.
Without further ado, here are the local numbers and the communities they serve.
Aurora: 630-631-0333.
Bensenville: 630-948-1099.
Chicago Heights: 708-843-4040.
Chicago Zone One: 312-924-9110.
Chicago Zone 6. Lafayette: 773-299-7122.
Chicago Zone 7. Hyde Park: 773-358-7171.
Coal City: 815-634-3588.
Des Plaines: 847-539-0155.
Downers Grove: 630-824-9066.
Elk Grove Village: 847-258-7177.
Franklin Park: 847-260-2144.
Grayslake: 847-223-2644.
Harvey: 708-225-0711.
Hinsdale: 630-570-7099.
Lockport: 815-293-3711.
Resolutions Committee Report
By Bill Reif, Chair
NFBI Resolutions Committee
The NFBI Resolutions Committee is the forum in which issues of concern to leaders or members are considered, put into words, refined, and presented to the convention for adoption. I was privileged this year to work with a good mixture of young Federationist and "grizzled veterans", combining an understanding of the new issues facing blind persons with a historical perspective of the ground we've already covered. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Resolutions Committee Members Jan Creighton, Carmen Dennis, Mary Grunwald, David Meyer, Ronza Othman, Bruce Paul, Debbie Pittman, Alyson Slaughter, and George Villa for their participation both in email discussions before the meeting and their informative comments during the meeting itself. Much of the convention attended this meeting; and comments from attendees indicated most were interested in the discussions.
Our Committee considered seven resolutions this year, four of which were recommended to the convention as "do pass" and were passed unanimously by the convention. In light of our recent legislative activity and legislation we will be proposing early next year, it is no surprise that three of the four resolutions passed this year deal with legislative matters. Resolution 2007-01 commended Senator John J. Cullerton and Representative Sara Feigenholtz for their help and support in the enactment of the Electronic Information Accessibility Act, an act which will result in standards that assure that computer and other information technology purchased or upgraded by the state will work with technology used by the blind and by others with disabilities, thus permitting information access. Resolution 2007-02 calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to recognize the importance of an effective and affordable mass transit system, and to enact a combination of structural reforms and an adequate funding mechanism that preserves this important system. Resolution 2007-03 calls upon the NFBI to support timely access to instructional materials for college students by supporting legislation that mandates that publishers provide materials to a central clearinghouse in an agreed-upon format that can be used to produce accessible materials at the time students in question need them. This approach is similar to that recently enacted in legislation applicable to students in grades K through 12. It will now fall largely to the Legislative Committee to turn this policy into action. Finally: Resolution 2007-04 recognizes the considerable efforts of Joan Forney, Interim Superintendent at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired during the past year, in supporting increased spending for Braille textbooks and technology to begin addressing major inadequacies in those areas.
In addition to the four resolutions recommended for passage, there was much discussion regarding a resolution that would require that all elementary students with a visual impairment be taught Braille. The state of Braille instruction in Illinois is an issue about which most Federationists remain concerned. The discussion and comments of committee members and of audience participants reflected our conviction that this issue, while addressed in legislation we proposed and which was passed in 1995, needs to be revisited and further action may need to be taken. The defeat of that resolution regarded only the Committee's disagreement with the method proposed.
The NFBI Scholarship Class of 2007
By Debbie Stein
Each year meeting the new set of scholarship finalists is one of the high points of our NFBI convention. We had five winners this year, who received their awards at the Saturday-night banquet.
This year the NFBI awarded two Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships valued at $1500 apiece. The first went to John Devine, a junior at Knox College in Galesburg. The second Jernigan Scholarship recipient was Dan Randolph, a freshman at Bradley University in Peoria. Jimmy Sanders, a freshman at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale, received a Harold Knapheide Scholarship of $1750. Stephen Kissel also received a Knapheide award; he is a junior at McKendree College.
This year the Peter Grunwald Memorial Scholarship was given in the amount of $2250. The recipient of the Peter Grunwald Scholarship was Janice Creighton, a sophomore at McHenry County College. Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!
Appreciation
By Janice Creighton
November 5, 2007
I woke up this morning after about 13 hours of sleep, thinking about all the people and things I experienced at my first NFBI Convention. I was a guest at Convention as a scholarship finalist. When I arrived at Convention in time for the scholarship dinner, I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit apprehensive and could only hope I knew what I was getting into. Of course, as many of you can guess I had no idea! I had the extreme honor of being mentored at Convention by three powerhouse women: Debbie Stein, Cathy Randall, and Kelly Doty. I couldn't have picked a more knowledgeable group of people if I tried. It was great to hear firsthand their answers to any questions I had about things going on within the NFB.
I had a great time at the scholarship dinner, finally getting to meet some of the people I only knew from reading about them on IL-talk. After dinner I attended the Friday night session, which included the very lively Resolutions meeting where I had the pleasure of being a committee member. The Resolutions Committee meeting forum gave me a greater idea of the true democracy that exists in the NFBI. I was impressed with the lively participation of everyone present to debate the merit of each proposed resolution. A special thank you to Bill Reif for assisting me at moments of true loss during that session. You'll never know how much I appreciated your help!
Saturday was another whirlwind of general sessions, where I learned of so many things the NFBI is doing. Saturday evening was the very wonderful banquet, where the final decisions of the scholarship committee were revealed. I had the greatest honor of being selected for the Peter Grunwald scholarship of an unexpected $2200.
When the Director of Special Needs at McHenry County College gave me a scholarship application for the NFBI this last spring, just 15 days before the deadline for submission, I didn't hold out much hope as a newly blind adult returning to school. I scrambled to get all the necessary items I needed for a complete scholarship application, and mailed them off on March 26th. I didn't think much more about the application until May, over Mother's Day weekend when I received a call from Cathy Randall, a member of the Scholarship Committee, who told me I had been selected as one of five finalists. I have to tell you May to November is a long wait, folks. As the time drew closer and closer, I became more nervous. In the end, I don't believe any of my fellow scholarship recipients nor I had anything to be nervous about. Everyone we met took us all in with open arms and warm hearts. Convention was a terrific experience, and I just can't wait until next year.
Thank you very much to each and every Federationist in Illinois, for all of your efforts in fundraising over the year in order to make our scholarships possible. Without your efforts, it would be far more difficult for any of us to succeed.
For those of you who may not know me, I am pursuing my Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, with a specialty in adaptive technology assistance. This scholarship will help me obtain another year of schooling to meet that goal.
I'd also like to congratulate my fellow scholarship finalists for their success, and to wish them the greatest future success in their individual endeavors.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to every one of my fellow Federationists who made this last weekend possible for me.
Meet A Fellow Federationist: Peter Grunwald
Submitted by Connie J. Davis
Every year the NFBI awards the Peter Grunwald Scholarship to a deserving student. The newer members of our affiliate never had the privilege of knowing Peter. I did have that privilege. Those of you who don't know him have missed the opportunity to be acquainted with someone who only comes along once in a lifetime.
Pete was our legislative chairman for many years. He worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of all blind people. It is through his efforts that we have much of the legislation that benefits us today here in Illinois.
The following article is from Future Reflections, Winter/Spring, Vol. 14 No. 1". It will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye.
CHOICES AND THEIR COSTS
By Peter Grunwald
>From the Editor: Some articles do not need any introduction or explanation. This is one of them.
In early 1952 my parents and their young daughter arrived in the United States from Germany. They settled in Chicago, and in September I was born. A few short months later, however, they got the bad news that I had a cancer in the retinas of both eyes, known as retinal blastoma. The doctors told them that the cancer was already too advanced in the left eye to warrant any treatment, and that eye was removed. But they did recommend that the right eye could be treated with radiation, and that some sight in that eye might be saved.
Obviously the choices my parents faced were wrenching, and my survival was hardly a sure bet. But they did elect to go ahead with the radiation treatment. I am sure that the doctors thought that there was a reasonable likelihood that the treatment would work, and saving the sight in even one eye seemed important to all concerned. Unfortunately, however, the treatment was unsuccessful and soon the right eye was removed as well. Now came the daunting effort to raise a child and to learn whatever was to be learned about blindness. While (especially in the early years) my survival was still uncertain, my parents entered the task with uncommon determination. They became among the most educated and forward-thinking parents I have ever known regarding blindness. I was not at all a sheltered child. I got early cane training long before it was fashionable. I was encouraged to become physically and socially active. My parents also routinely took on the educational establishment to ensure a quality education for me. My mother became fluent in Braille, and she produced materials, which would have otherwise been unavailable.
Somehow I managed to grow to adulthood. I found my niche in the work place as a piano technician, tuning, repairing, and rebuilding pianos. I have been active in community affairs and in the National Federation of the Blind and have been privileged to serve in leadership positions. For the past fourteen years I have been lucky enough to be married to a wonderful, strong, and caring woman. There have certainly been difficulties and tribulation, but I have had much of what is called the good life. However, now the events of my infancy have come back to haunt me. However far from perfect our knowledge of cancer and its treatment is now, it was far more limited then. Radiation is used far more selectively now, and in much more controlled doses. Most importantly, there is much more understanding of the long-term ramifications of radiation treatment.
In August of 1992, I was diagnosed with a new and fast-growing cancer in the nasal and sinus area. This new cancer was almost certainly the result of the radiation treatment. At this writing, (May, 1993), I have received (and will continue to have) a number of chemotherapy treatments, and had an extremely major surgery. My future is still very much undermined.
I would guess that today, if my parents had it to do over again, they would not have gone ahead with the radiation treatment for me. Of course, they did not then have the experience of raising a blind child to a reasonably happy and successful adulthood, nor did they know successful blind adults. Saving my sight (even in one eye) seemed important, and they got the best medical advice available at the time. They then went on to become model parents. Yet the decision forty years ago to try to save some sight, however loving and well intentioned, may yet cost me my life.
Obviously most decisions, which a parent may face, are not this dramatic, nor are the possible consequences. Yet each choice that a parent makes does have ramifications, whether that decision seems dramatic at the time or not. My wife Mary, for example, is blind with some remaining vision. Her mother, too, lacked knowledge and experience, and therefore went along with the recommendation of the schools that Mary learn print and not Braille. Mary is bright and inquisitive, a naturally good student. Yet she dropped out of high school because she could not keep up with the reading demands. She is now a successful businesswoman, but she must rely on others for much of her record keeping and accounting. Her independence and available options have been seriously limited because of well-intentioned choices.
My plea to all is to become as well informed about blindness as possible, and then spread your knowledge far and wide. My parents could not have become more medically advanced than the doctors. But if a true understanding of blindness, what it is and is not, had been more prevalent in our society, perhaps they would then have had a different perspective on the importance of the sight of one eye.
But today we all have available to us the great resource of the National Federation of the Blind through which we can soak up the knowledge and life experiences of tens of thousands of blind people and then disseminate that collective wisdom throughout society. In this way we can, for ourselves as well as others, avoid making mistaken choices for the next generation of blind children. Choices, which, although made with love and the best of intentions, still may be harmful in their consequences. This is my fervent hope, and I invite all to join in this effort."
Season's Greetings
Season's Greetings from the Braille Examiner Committee: Connie Davis, Debbie Stein, Carmen Dennis, Debbie Pittman, Meghan Joost and, of course, Patti Gregory-Chang. We hope all of you and your families have wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy and peaceful 2008.
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The Braille ExamineR
A Publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Winter 2007
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Table of Contents
Contact Information…………………………………………………………………………………p. 1
Announcements………………………………………………………………………………………….p. 1
Message from our president………………………………………………………………..p. 5
Chapter News……………………………………………………………………………………………….p. 6
Blackhawk
Chicago
Ferris Wheel
Heartland
IABS
Local Newsline Numbers………………………………………………………………………p. 13
2007 Resolutions…………………………………………………………………………………….p. 15
NFBI Scholarship Class 2007…………………………………………………………..p. 16
Appreciation……………………………………………………………………………………………….p. 17
Meet A Fellow Federationist :Peter Grunwald………………………..p. 19
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Editors:
Connie J. Davis & Debbie Stein
President:
Patti Gregory Chang
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CONTACT INFORMATION
President:
Patti Gregory-Chang, (773) 307-6440,
pattisgregory at comcast.net
Editor:
Connie Davis,
(773) 338-6922,
mailto:condav8950 condav8950
@att.net
Editor:
Deborah Kent Stein, (773) 631-1093,
mailto:dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net
.
Print Duplication & Distribution:
Carmen Dennis,
mailto:carmen88 at comcast.net carmen88 at comcast.net
,
(773) 583-0899
Tape & Braille duplication:
Debbie Pittman,
Pittman Enterprises & Associates,
mailto:pittman.e. at cometlink.com pittman.e.a at cometlink.com
,
(773) 779-1856, fax (773) 779-2763
Website:
www.nfbofillinois.org
; Webmaster, Ruth Anne Wheeler
Proofreaders:
Carmen Dennis, Charlie Dennis, Patti Chang & Meghan Joost
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Announcements:
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Address and format changes should be mailed, e-mailed or phoned to Connie Davis.
Comments or compliments about the print newsletter should be addressed with Carmen Dennis.
Comments or compliments about the cassette or Braille edition should be addressed with Debbie Pittman.
Comments or compliments about the electronic version should be addressed with Connie Davis.
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Members with e-mail addresses are kindly requested to receive their newsletter in electronic format to help defray production costs.
Please return your cassette in the enclosed self-addressed envelope for tape recycling.
************************************************
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2008 NFB Junior Science Academy
By Kelly Doty
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On July 23-27, the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Maryland will open its doors to the youngest group of scientific explorers yet.
Thirty blind and low vision students in grades three through six (ages 8-12) will be accepted for this unique opportunity.
Participants will discover that science is FUN through hands-on instruction, field trips, and interactive activities.
Students will find the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects more accessible and engaging with the use of alternative techniques demonstrated by blind educators and mentors.
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Each student will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
While the students are busy experiencing the excitement of science, workshops for parents/guardians will take place.
Topics covered will include Braille literacy, orientation and mobility, advocacy, and much more.
These workshops will give parents/guardians the tools and resources necessary to help their child succeed in the future.
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The National Federation of the Blind, at no cost, will provide transportation, room, and board for each student and one parent/guardian who participate.
The Jernigan Institute must receive applications by March 31, 2008.
For further details visit http://www.blindscience.org/ www.blindscience.org
or contact Mary Jo Thorpe at (410) 659-9314, ext. 2407, or at mailto:MThorpe at nfb.org MThorpe at nfb.org
.
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March for Independence 2008
Submitted by LeAnne Mayne, from
http://www.nfb.org/
www.nfb.org
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If you haven't signed up yet for our March 2008 the National Office reminds us to do so.
“SPONSOR A MARCHER OR BECOME ONE YOURSELF”
”What Is the March?”
”The March for Independence is a 5K walk-a-thon and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind, their friends, family, and supporters, which will raise funds for the Imagination Fund.
The Imagination Fund supports local and state outreach efforts for
blind people in your local community, and blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision through the programs and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Jernigan Institute.
When Is the March?
The March for Independence will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 amidst the 68th National Federation of the Blind annual convention in Dallas, Texas. Learn more about our national conventions and remember to visit
www.nfb.org
often for updates on the registration process.
Please note that registering for national convention is a completely separate process than registering for the March.”
If you have questions, please contact LeAnne Mayne, mailto:leanne at uddle.com leanne at uddle.com
.
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A Message from Our President
Presidential Report, December 2007--January 2008
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By: Patti S. Gregory-Chang
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At this writing we are all recovered from an awesome convention 2007.
We registered 104 participants and can boast the highest luncheon attendance I can recall.
Speakers came from as far as Harvard University.
Both of our national representatives, Ryan Strunk and Joanne Wilson, carried out their duties with enthusiasm and caring.
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On December 15th, 2007 from 1:00 until we are done, we will have an envelope-stuffing and pizza party at the home of Debbie Stein.
We will prepare to mail 1500 packets containing NFBI scholarship, internship, and student seminar applications to schools and individual students throughout the states.
Please give Debbie a call at 773-631-1093 to let her know if you are coming.
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We look to 2008 with energy.
We're planning another student seminar, and we're finalizing arrangements for our state convention to be held in Kankakee.
We'll be sending a strong delegation to Washington Seminar, and our next state legislative endeavor begins soon.
I'll send out committee appointments by the end of December.
Please let me know if you wish to serve on any state committee.
My phone number is 773-307-6440.
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Our state NFBI board meeting will be on December 16, 2007 via conference call.
Just dial 712-432-2700 and use NFBI (6324) as the code to enter the call.
All are welcome.
-- Patti S. Gregory-Chang President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois mailto:pattisgregory at comcast.net pattisgregory at comcast.net
,
www.nfbofillinois.org
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Chapter News
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News from the Blackhawk Chapter
By Bob Gardner
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The NFBI Blackhawk Chapter holds monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m.
Our meeting place is the South Moline Township Center located at 637-17th Avenue, East Moline.
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In November, 9 chapter members attended the NFBI state convention at the Holiday Inn in Rock Island.
Chapter member Harold Palash spoke to the general session, reflecting on his many years of involvement with the NFB.
Chapter member Nancy Gardner hosted the Significant Others' Breakfast.
Chapter president Bob Gardner was reelected to the state board of the NFB of Illinois.
Besides participating in the many seminars and business sessions, chapter members had fun singing, or doing what passed for singing, in the "IABS Idol" event on Friday night.
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Our Christmas party on the evening of Saturday, December 8 took the place of our regular December meeting.
The Christmas party was held at Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline, and featured a terrific dinner prepared by the Wesleyan Group of the church.
Over 40 members and guests attended the event.
A Christmas program of singing and inspiration was presented by chapter members Alfonso Ayew-ew and Linda Jasper.
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Our first meeting of the new year will be held on Saturday, January 12.
We will discuss as a group what we should do in 2008.
We plan to come up with ideas and suggestions which will strengthen our chapter and push us in new directions.
This should be an exciting meeting, a chance for all to contribute to a new era for our chapter.
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The NFBI Blackhawk Chapter publishes a monthly newsletter, "Hawk Talk”.
The newsletter is available by E-mail through the NFBI IL-Talk listserv and on the NFBI website.
You can also be put on a mailing list for either an E-mail version or a hardcopy version by contacting Bob Gardner.
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We are the blind speaking for the blind, and are changing what it means to be blind in the Quad-Cities and northwestern Illinois.
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Chicago Chapter Roundup
By Debbie Stein
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In October the Chicago Chapter hosted a New Members' Tea before our regular business meeting.
After socializing over coffee and pastries, we settled down for an excellent program on adaptive technology led by Ronza Othman. Ronza, David Wright, Dave Meyer, Patti Chang and Byron Lee described the technology they use and answered a host of questions.
At our November meeting Frankie Shipman from the Cook County Department of Health gave a presentation about emergency preparedness, and opened discussion about how communities can best meet the needs of the blind population.
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For Meet-the-Blind Month the Chicago Chapter sponsored a "Carson's Day”.
Joe and Mary Monti and Dave and Theresa Meyer sold discount books and distributed NFB literature at the store.
The Chicago Chapter and IABS held a jointly-sponsored event at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
Ronza Othman and Steve Hastalis spent the day at the college, meeting students and talking about blindness-related issues.
Carmen Dennis, Kelly Doty, Mary Lou Grunwald and Bob Widman staffed a booth at this year's Discovery Vision Conference at the Merchandise Mart on December 6 and 7.
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Do you have an old laptop that you haven't used since you bought your new one last summer?
When you upgraded your cell phone, did you shove the old one into the back of a drawer?
Dig them out and bring them to the Chicago Chapter!
We have launched a brand-new fundraising endeavor, recycling electronic equipment with EcoPhones.
EcoPhones gives us cash for cell phones, laptops, ink-jet cartridges, DVDs, and many other items.
If you would like to help, please contact me at 773-631-1093 or mailto:dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net
.
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In addition to EcoPhones, we are still holding our traditional fundraisers.
If you have a sweet tooth, holler for a Chicago Chapter member.
Our fall candy sale is in full swing, and we have a generous supply of World's Finest Chocolate to brighten your day.
We're also selling tickets to a Chicago Bulls game with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, March 25
th
.
At our December meeting Anthony Thomas conducted our annual holiday auction.
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The Chicago Chapter meets on the second Saturday of the month at 1 P.M. at the Exchequer Pub and Restaurant, 226 S. Wabash in Chicago.
Please join us!
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Ferris Wheel Chapter News
By Cathy Randall
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The NFBI Ferris Wheel Chapter will hold a "pack the house" leafleting and fundraising dinner at El Rancherito Restaurant in Jacksonville on Monday, December 17.
We will receive 15 percent of the restaurant’s earnings between 3 P.M. and 9 P.M. that evening.
We'll hand out Kernel Books stamped with my phone number to all restaurant patrons at this event.
This fundraiser will serve as our chapter's Christmas dinner.
It will be an excellent opportunity to educate the public about positive attitudes toward blindness.
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Our Chapter van brought eleven people to State Convention in November, including three students from ISVI, thanks to Convention sponsorships from Rock Island and Jacksonville Lions Clubs.
We will continue to work to involve ISVI students in our chapter.
We wish to thank Tammy Balthis for driving the van this year.
The Prairieland United Way helps support our annual Convention expenses.
For more information, please phone Chapter President Cathy Randall--217-243-3529.
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Kankakee Heartland News
By Bill Isaacs
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On Saturday, December 1, 2007, the Kankakee Heartland Chapter met at Capriotti's Restaurant in Bradley for our annual Christmas luncheon.
Eighteen people were in attendance.
We enjoyed good fellowship and a delicious lunch.
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On Saturday, January 5th, we will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Bourbonnais Public Library, 250 West John Casey Drive, Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Judy Krecek will tell us about her extended travels in Hawaii with her guide dog Nepa.
In February, we will meet on the 2nd, again at the Bourbonnais Public Library.
Our program will include a play from the Louisiana Center for the Blind entitled "The Path I Did Not Know".
Discussion will follow.
On March 1st, we will convene at our usual meeting spot at the usual time.
We will hold our annual elections.
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Kandi Power is scheduled for a second kidney transplant.
Member JoAnn Rushing is donating a kidney for her.
Mike Doris, immediate past president, is now living in a nursing home in Gillman, Illinois.
He's had a rough time but his health shows signs of improving.
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Chapter President Bill Isaacs and Kankakee Heartland members wish everyone a good Christmas.
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Items from IABS
By Ronza Othman
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The Illinois Association of Blind Students enjoyed a very successful State Convention.
On Friday afternoon we hosted a workshop on interacting with the press, led by Megan Joost and Rob Hobson.
The workshop featured interactive role-play on proper and improper ways to be interviewed by the media.
Participants learned techniques for conveying useful information and publicizing events and programs.
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IABS also hosted the Second Annual IABS Idol on Friday night.
Participants performed originals and covered musical acts.
Congratulations to our Buffalo Boy and Girl, Joe and Mary Monti, on their award-winning performance.
Judges Simon Julia Chang, National Rep JoAnn Wilson, and NABS Rep Ryan Strunk critiqued the performances and selected the winner.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
A CD is available for purchase for $10.
Please contact Ronza Othman at 708-829-0523 or by email at
aznor99 at aol.com to place your order.
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IABS also held our Fall Business Meeting during the IABS Breakfast.
More people attended than at any prior IABS meeting.
We discussed our past accomplishments and future plans.
Information on the Winter Business Meeting will be forthcoming.
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The Illinois Association of Blind Students hosted the Student Luncheon Saturday afternoon.
We honored students for their work, their triumphs, and their determination.
NABS Rep Ryan Strunk gave a moving keynote address, discussing the need for blind students to explore their abilities, resist the fear of failure, and combine blindness skills and philosophy to find a meaningful and productive place in the world.
Additionally, IABS presented Excellence in Teaching Awards to Michelle Peterson (first-grade teacher) and Gaylan Kapperman (university professor).
IABS also honored Carmen Dennis for her service to IABS.
Finally, the 2007 scholarship class introduced itself to the Convention.
Each scholarship recipient spoke about his or her background and educational goals.
And of course, the food was amazing.
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Once again this year, IABS held a 50/50 raffle during Convention.
The winner of the raffle generously donated his prize back to the IABS treasury.
As a result, we earned $232 from the raffle.
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IABS is accepting dues for 2008.
Anyone wishing to join IABS should send a check for $5 to Alyson Slaughter at P.O. Box 3066A, Chicago, IL 60690, or by bringing checks or cash to any Chicago Chapter meeting.
Please make checks payable to Illinois Association of Blind Students.
We welcome both students and non-students.
IABS will forward $2 of the $5 to your local chapter to cover 2008 dues.
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As 2007 comes to a close, we look back on what we've accomplished this year.
This was our first full year of existence in several years.
We came together, Board members and the general membership alike, to plan, to work, to dream.
We wanted our student division to have a place in this state, to do meaningful work, to improve the standard of educational excellence among blind students.
Through our efforts and programs, we've done that.
We put on a wildly successful spring student seminar.
We sent members to Washington Seminar and National Convention.
We met with our legislators on the Hill.
We worked with state agencies to ensure that students receive quality services.
We increased our membership from 2006 by nearly 300%.
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And yet, we know that we still have much to do.
We know that we've only just begun making our mark.
We know it takes hard work, commitment, and resilience to change the status quo.
But we know, as students and as Federationists, that the work is necessary and vital.
That's why we will continue the work we began in 2007 throughout 2008.
But we will do it better, harder, stronger.
And we'll do much, much more because our future begins now.
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Local NewsLine® Numbers
By David Meyer
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Ever since I've been the NFB-NEWSLINE® coordinator, I've had people asking me what local number they should call.
Unfortunately, I've never felt quite certain if I was giving the right information.
As is so often the case, we manage to complicate things here in Illinois.
Because of the way phone services have been structured, particularly in the Greater Chicago area, Illinois has a lot of local Newsline® numbers--29 to be exact!
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With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to provide a list of local numbers.
Please remember that NFB-NEWSLINE® has a toll-free number which you should continue to use if you do not have a phone plan that includes unlimited long-distance, or if you live in an area which is not served by one of the local numbers listed below.
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If you are using NFB-NEWSLINE® from a local phone for the first time, your local number should be given when you reach the service.
If you are not sure whether any of the local numbers might serve your area, call the National Federation of the Blind toll-free at 866-504-7300.
If you know that you do not have a local number and you do not have unlimited long-distance as part of your phone service, continue to use the toll-free number: 1-888-882-1629.
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Without further ado, here are the local numbers and the communities they serve.
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Aurora:
630-631-0333.
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Bensenville:
630-948-1099.
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Chicago Heights:
708-843-4040.
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Chicago Zone One:
312-924-9110.
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Chicago Zone 6.
Lafayette:
773-299-7122.
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Chicago Zone 7.
Hyde Park:
773-358-7171.
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Coal City:
815-634-3588.
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Des Plaines:
847-539-0155.
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Downers Grove:
630-824-9066.
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Elk Grove Village:
847-258-7177.
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Franklin Park:
847-260-2144.
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Grayslake:
847-223-2644.
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Harvey:
708-225-0711.
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Hinsdale:
630-570-7099.
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Lockport:
815-293-3711.
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Resolutions Committee Report
By Bill Reif, Chair
NFBI Resolutions Committee
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The NFBI Resolutions Committee is the forum in which issues of concern to leaders or members are considered, put into words, refined, and presented to the convention for adoption.
I was privileged this year to work with a good mixture of young Federationist and "grizzled veterans", combining an understanding of the new issues facing blind persons with a historical perspective of the ground we've already covered.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Resolutions Committee Members Jan Creighton, Carmen Dennis, Mary Grunwald, David Meyer, Ronza Othman, Bruce Paul, Debbie Pittman, Alyson Slaughter, and George Villa for their participation both in email discussions before the meeting and their informative comments during the meeting itself.
Much of the convention attended this meeting; and comments from attendees indicated most were interested in the discussions.
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Our Committee considered seven resolutions this year, four of which were recommended to the convention as "do pass" and were passed unanimously by the convention.
In light of our recent legislative activity and legislation we will be proposing early next year, it is no surprise that three of the four resolutions passed this year deal with legislative matters.
Resolution 2007-01 commended Senator John J. Cullerton and Representative Sara Feigenholtz for their help and support in the enactment of the Electronic Information Accessibility Act, an act which will result in standards that assure that computer and other information technology purchased or upgraded by the state will work with technology used by the blind and by others with disabilities, thus permitting information access.
Resolution 2007-02 calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to recognize the importance of an effective and affordable mass transit system, and to enact a combination of structural reforms and an adequate funding mechanism that preserves this important system.
Resolution 2007-03 calls upon the NFBI to support timely access to instructional materials for college students by supporting legislation that mandates that publishers provide materials to a central clearinghouse in an agreed-upon format that can be used to produce accessible materials at the time students in question need them.
This approach is similar to that recently enacted in legislation applicable to students in grades K through 12.
It will now fall largely to the Legislative Committee to turn this policy into action.
Finally: Resolution 2007-04 recognizes the considerable efforts of Joan Forney, Interim Superintendent at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired during the past year, in supporting increased spending for Braille textbooks and technology to begin addressing major inadequacies in those areas.
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In addition to the four resolutions recommended for passage, there was much discussion regarding a resolution that would require that all elementary students with a visual impairment be taught Braille.
The state of Braille instruction in Illinois is an issue about which most Federationists remain concerned.
The discussion and comments of committee members and of audience participants reflected our conviction that this issue, while addressed in legislation we proposed and which was passed in 1995, needs to be revisited and further action may need to be taken.
The defeat of that resolution regarded only the Committee's disagreement with the method proposed.
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The NFBI Scholarship Class of 2007
By Debbie Stein
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Each year meeting the new set of scholarship finalists is one of the high points of our NFBI convention.
We had five winners this year, who received their awards at the Saturday-night banquet.
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This year the NFBI awarded two Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships valued at $1500 apiece.
The first went to John Devine, a junior at Knox College in Galesburg.
The second Jernigan Scholarship recipient was Dan Randolph, a freshman at Bradley University in Peoria.
Jimmy Sanders, a freshman at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale, received a Harold Knapheide Scholarship of $1750.
Stephen Kissel also received a Knapheide award; he is a junior at McKendree College.
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This year the Peter Grunwald Memorial Scholarship was given in the amount of $2250.
The recipient of the Peter Grunwald Scholarship was Janice Creighton, a sophomore at McHenry County College.
Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!
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Appreciation
By Janice Creighton
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November 5, 2007
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I woke up this morning after about 13 hours of sleep, thinking about all the people and things I experienced at my first NFBI Convention.
I was a guest at Convention as a scholarship finalist.
When I arrived at Convention in time for the scholarship dinner, I had no idea what to expect.
I was a bit apprehensive and could only hope I knew what I was getting into.
Of course, as many of you can guess I had no idea!
I had the extreme honor of being mentored at Convention by three powerhouse women: Debbie Stein, Cathy Randall, and Kelly Doty.
I couldn't have picked a more knowledgeable group of people if I tried.
It was great to hear firsthand their answers to any questions I had about things going on within the NFB.
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I had a great time at the scholarship dinner, finally getting to meet some of the people I only knew from reading about them on IL-talk.
After dinner I attended the Friday night session, which included the very lively Resolutions meeting where I had the pleasure of being a committee member.
The Resolutions Committee meeting forum gave me a greater idea of the true democracy that exists in the NFBI.
I was impressed with the lively participation of everyone present to debate the merit of each proposed resolution.
A special thank you to Bill Reif for assisting me at moments of true loss during that session.
You'll never know how much I appreciated your help!
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Saturday was another whirlwind of general sessions, where I learned of so many things the NFBI is doing.
Saturday evening was the very wonderful banquet, where the final decisions of the scholarship committee were revealed.
I had the greatest honor of being selected for the Peter Grunwald scholarship of an unexpected $2200.
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When the Director of Special Needs at McHenry County College gave me a scholarship application for the NFBI this last spring, just 15 days before the deadline for submission, I didn't hold out much hope as a newly blind adult returning to school.
I scrambled to get all the necessary items I needed for a complete scholarship application, and mailed them off on March 26th.
I didn't think much more about the application until May, over Mother's Day weekend when I received a call from Cathy Randall, a member of the Scholarship Committee, who told me I had been selected as one of five finalists.
I have to tell you May to November is a long wait, folks.
As the time drew closer and closer, I became more nervous.
In the end, I don't believe any of my fellow scholarship recipients nor I had anything to be nervous about.
Everyone we met took us all in with open arms and warm hearts.
Convention was a terrific experience, and I just can't wait until next year.
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Thank you very much to each and every Federationist in Illinois, for all of your efforts in fundraising over the year in order to make our scholarships possible.
Without your efforts, it would be far more difficult for any of us to succeed.
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For those of you who may not know me, I am pursuing my Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, with a specialty in adaptive technology assistance.
This scholarship will help me obtain another year of schooling to meet that goal.
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I'd also like to congratulate my fellow scholarship finalists for their success, and to wish them the greatest future success in their individual endeavors.
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Again, my heartfelt thanks to every one of my fellow Federationists who made this last weekend possible for me.
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Meet A Fellow Federationist:
Peter Grunwald
Submitted by Connie J. Davis
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Every year the NFBI awards the Peter Grunwald Scholarship to a deserving student.
The newer members of our affiliate never had the privilege of knowing Peter.
I did have that privilege.
Those of you who don't know him have missed the opportunity to be acquainted with someone who only comes along once in a lifetime.
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Pete was our legislative chairman for many years.
He worked tirelessly to promote the welfare of all blind people.
It is through his efforts that we have much of the legislation that benefits us today here in Illinois.
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The following article is from Future Reflections, Winter/Spring, Vol. 14 No. 1".
It will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye.
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CHOICES AND THEIR COSTS
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By Peter Grunwald
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>From the Editor: Some articles do not need any introduction or explanation.
This is one of them.
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In early 1952 my parents and their young daughter arrived in the United States from Germany.
They settled in Chicago, and in September I was born.
A few short months later, however, they got the bad news that I had a cancer in the retinas of both eyes, known as retinal blastoma.
The doctors told them that the cancer was already too advanced in the left eye to warrant any treatment, and that eye was removed.
But they did recommend that the right eye could be treated with radiation, and that some sight in that eye might be saved.
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Obviously the choices my parents faced were wrenching, and my survival was hardly a sure bet.
But they did elect to go ahead with the radiation treatment.
I am sure that the doctors thought that there was a reasonable likelihood that the treatment would work, and saving the sight in even one eye seemed important to all concerned.
Unfortunately, however, the treatment was unsuccessful and soon the right eye was removed as well.
Now came the daunting effort to raise a child and to learn whatever was to be learned about blindness.
While (especially in the early years) my survival was still uncertain, my parents entered the task with uncommon determination.
They became among the most educated and forward-thinking parents I have ever known regarding blindness.
I was not at all a sheltered child.
I got early cane training long before it was fashionable.
I was encouraged to become physically and socially active.
My parents also routinely took on the educational establishment to ensure a quality education for me.
My mother became fluent in Braille, and she produced materials, which would have otherwise been unavailable.
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Somehow I managed to grow to adulthood.
I found my niche in the work place as a piano technician, tuning, repairing, and rebuilding pianos.
I have been active in community affairs and in the National Federation of the Blind and have been privileged to serve in leadership positions.
For the past fourteen years I have been lucky enough to be married to a wonderful, strong, and caring woman.
There have certainly been difficulties and tribulation, but I have had much of what is called the good life.
However, now the events of my infancy have come back to haunt me.
However far from perfect our knowledge of cancer and its treatment is now, it was far more limited then.
Radiation is used far more selectively now, and in much more controlled doses.
Most importantly, there is much more understanding of the long-term ramifications of radiation treatment.
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In August of 1992, I was diagnosed with a new and fast-growing cancer in the nasal and sinus area.
This new cancer was almost certainly the result of the radiation treatment.
At this writing, (May, 1993), I have received (and will continue to have) a number of chemotherapy treatments, and had an extremely major surgery.
My future is still very much undermined.
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I would guess that today, if my parents had it to do over again, they would not have gone ahead with the radiation treatment for me.
Of course, they did not then have the experience of raising a blind child to a reasonably happy and successful adulthood, nor did they know successful blind adults.
Saving my sight (even in one eye) seemed important, and they got the best medical advice available at the time.
They then went on to become model parents.
Yet the decision forty years ago to try to save some sight, however loving and well intentioned, may yet cost me my life.
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Obviously most decisions, which a parent may face, are not this dramatic, nor are the possible consequences.
Yet each choice that a parent makes does have ramifications, whether that decision seems dramatic at the time or not.
My wife Mary, for example, is blind with some remaining vision.
Her mother, too, lacked knowledge and experience, and therefore went along with the recommendation of the schools that Mary learn print and not Braille.
Mary is bright and inquisitive, a naturally good student.
Yet she dropped out of high school because she could not keep up with the reading demands.
She is now a successful businesswoman, but she must rely on others for much of her record keeping and accounting.
Her independence and available options have been seriously limited because of well-intentioned choices.
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My plea to all is to become as well informed about blindness as possible, and then spread your knowledge far and wide.
My parents could not have become more medically advanced than the doctors.
But if a true understanding of blindness, what it is and is not, had been more prevalent in our society, perhaps they would then have had a different perspective on the importance of the sight of one eye.
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But today we all have available to us the great resource of the National Federation of the Blind through which we can soak up the knowledge and life experiences of tens of thousands of blind people and then disseminate that collective wisdom throughout society.
In this way we can, for ourselves as well as others, avoid making mistaken choices for the next generation of blind children.
Choices, which, although made with love and the best of intentions, still may be harmful in their consequences.
This is my fervent hope, and I invite all to join in this effort."
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Season’s Greetings
Season’s Greetings from the Braille Examiner Committee:
Connie Davis, Debbie Stein, Carmen Dennis, Debbie Pittman, Meghan Joost and, of course, Patti Gregory-Chang.
We hope all of you and your families have wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy and peaceful 2008.
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