[Mt-blind] Recent Topics

[Heather Stone]

This is Heather Stone. Even though I am not a parent,
I spoke out in support of the parent division at our
convention. I have been away partaking in GPS training
at Leader Dogs for the Blind while my email box was
filling up with all the recent talk on MT Blind. I am
going to add my thoughts to these topics. In regards
to those of you who feel that the M A B should
strictly focus on the S O P & not support programs &
divisions for younger members, I feel this type of
thinking is rather childish. For example, when parents
have a 2nd child, it's not like they don't love their
1st child any less. There is enough love for each
child. That is how I like to think of the M A B - that
it is becoming an organization that offers programs &
support for all blind Montanans regardless of their
younger age. This whole issue almost seems along the
lines of reverse age discrimination. I found it
interesting that within the same post, one member
expressed his dislike for the N F B & then went on to
say that parents & students need to join the N F B for
support rather than the M A B which I am interpreting
as that he is suggesting that the M A B can continue
to exclude these potentional new members by not
allowing the M A B to expand to meet these new members
needs. Like I stated at the convention, a year round
local connection is much more beneficial when seeking
support in your own community/state. As for the matter
of the M A B changing its name, I would be against it.
I accept that it is in the M A B's best interest to be
associated with the N F B because there is strength in
#s & some issues can't be handled on an individual
basis For example, the current hybrid cars problem. I
do realize that the actions of the N F B has made
quite a difference on the national level in regards to
equal civil rights for the blind. I respect Jim Marks
& Dan Burke very much. I know that they are very fond
of the N F B & I do not wish to hurt them with what I
am about to type but based on my experience with the N
F B & trying to communicate with N F B  members from
other states, I have come to the conclusion that it is
best for me to try to keep my association with that
organization to a minimal. I will not apply for a
scholarship from the N F B because I have no interest
in attending their annual brain-washing convention.   
And finally, someone posted "Through the efforts of
MAB members, reaching out to the blind and visually
impaired in our communities, this is how we are
known.". I would like to know exactly how other M A B
chapters are doing this because to my knowledge here
in Missoula, the only ways we get a new member is from
B L V S informing the newly blind person about the M A
B or if the person seeks us out because they were a
member in the community that they moved from. B L V S
didn't inform me about M A B because I am not in the
older blind program. I discovered the M A B from a
newspaper article about Jim Marks that a sighted
friend brought to my attention but there was no
contact information, so months went by until I met
someone who knew his office & here I am - proud to be
a member of the M A B.









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