[Mt-blind] NFB of Montana

[Edward C Robbins]

Mt-Blind list,
        The following message was from me, Ted Robbins.
  It got out in siber space before I finished or sined it.
Sorry about that.

Ted
Edward C "Ted" Robbins, CFO, Montana Business Enterprises, Inc. (MBEI)
Manager, MAB Elder Blind Equipment Program
Phone & Fax:  406 453 6678   Cell:  406 799 6268
 
On Wed, 7 Nov 2007 15:11:45 -0700 Edward C Robbins <robbinsec at juno.com>
writes:
> Jim & List,
>         I too am proud to be a member of the MAB, ergo NFB.
>         When I lost my sight in 1979, I knew there had to be some 
> help
> "out there" and I was finally put in touch with the MAB.  I attended 
> the
> SOP and learned some of the basics.  While at the SOP, I was taught 
> about
> the MAB and the other programs of the MAB and became a great 
> promoter of
> the MAB because of this.  It provided me with additional confidence  
> to
> do my own thing.  I was farming and doing Accounting work.
>         I was encouraged to attend the NFB convention each year, 
> until in
> 1983 I finally broke down and consented to go.  It was to me the 
> most
> exciting activity since the SOP.  There were people in the same 
> situation
> as my self and I was able to learn new techniques, see what 
> adaptive
> equipment was available and thus was able to see for myself, just 
> what
> the NFB was all about .
>         I very much enjoy reading the publications provided through 
> the
> NFB, namely the Braille Monitor, Voice of the Diabetic, 
> Presidential
> addresses, kernle books, etc.   publications.  They are provided in
> alternative formates such as electronic text, Braille, cassette tape 
> and
> even in print.  The articles are written by folks just like you and 
> I. 
> Their experiences help myself to gain confidence, thereby 
> independence to
> go about my activities without being afraid or concerned.
>         .
>         I was told by one of the past MAB leaders, that at one point 
> in
> time, the MAB didn't had the funds to pay its staff at the SOP and 
> that
> the NFB stepped in and provided the funds to the MAB so the staff 
> would
> receive their compensation.  (I believe this has happened on more 
> than
> one occasion.)
>          
> On Wed, 7 Nov 2007 10:46:14 -0700 "Jim Marks" 
> <blind.grizzly at gmail.com>
> writes:
> > Someone asked me off line why I sometimes refer to the Montana 
> > Association
> > for the Blind (MAB)( as the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) 
> 
> > of
> > Montana.  The reason is simple.  The MAB is Montana's chartered 
> > affiliate of
> > the NFB.  Just like chapters are part of the MAB in that they are 
> 
> > chartered
> > by the state organization, the state MAB is part of national.  I 
> > know that
> > some MAB members feel strongly about the NFB.  Some see the NFB as 
> a 
> > threat,
> > and the feeling is really just that, a feeling without the merit 
> of 
> > facts.
> > Fact is, the MAB is the NFB.  The charters prove this.  We ought 
> to 
> > be proud
> > of our state group, and we should feel the same for our national.  
> 
> > Also,
> > there is a very practical reason for affirming our relationship 
> with 
> > the
> > NFB.  Blind people need the name recognition in our advocacy to 
> > improve our
> > lives and the lives of blind persons who follow us.  The NFB makes 
> a 
> > huge
> > difference in my life and the lives of all blind Montanans.  For 
> > example,
> > right now the US Congress is considering a law that will provide 
> > accessible
> > textbooks to blind and visually impaired college students.  Guess 
> 
> > where this
> > law comes from.  If you say the NFB, you would be right.  There 
> are 
> > many
> > other examples of how important the NFB is to blind Montanans.  I 
> 
> > know that
> > the fear of the NFB is based much on the high expectations for the 
> 
> > blind.
> > Those who do not share the high expectations often bristle at the 
> 
> > uppity
> > nature of the NFB.  If you look closely at who opposes the NFB, 
> you 
> > will see
> > people who really do not believe in the abilities of blind people. 
>  
> > This is
> > my experience, at least.  Let me hasten to say that the NFB is not 
> 
> > perfect.
> > No organization or institution is.  But the NFB is a solid vehicle 
> 
> > for
> > change, and goodness knows that we blind Montanans need change.  I 
> 
> > am very,
> > very proud to be part of all three aspects of our organization, 
> the
> > national, state, and chapter parts.  And that's why I like to 
> refer 
> > to our
> > state organization with the name, the NFB of Montana.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Jim Marks
> > blind.grizzly at GMail.com 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Mt-blind mailing list
> > Mt-blind at nfbnet.org
> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/mt-blind
> > 
> > 
>  
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