[nfb-talk] Self Defense Classes at Convention

[T. Joseph Carter]

For those who are going, I really think you should seriously consider
this.  A blind person can defend themselves, and enough members of society
suffer enough moral decay these days that you never know when it'll be
necessary to defend yourself or your loved ones.

I only wish I were going to convention again this year, if only to keep
from completely losing touch with Federationists.  Again.  We do have a
local Salem chapter, and in previous years it was apparently pretty big,
but I have no way to contact anyone in it.  Add to that the fact that I'm
about to move to Monmouth which is so small and so far away from Salem
that the local chapter here is unreachable.

I will still have the lists, but they are little substitute for real
people, I have discovered.  Plus, lists are a luxury I won't have time for
in September.  I'll be working both for a Master's degree and rent money,
which tends to leave little time for email not related to one or the
other, based on others' experiences.

There are actually a few other blind people in attendance at WOU already.
I've met two.  I think neither shares our view of blindness, though.  If
you listen to the people in Disabled Services, they'll basically tell you
that our philosophy is essentially prohibited there.  You MUST do things
their way or else, and their way is not the Federation way.  That's a long
story for NABS whenever I have time to write it.

But anyway, the self defense class is a really good idea.  Everyone should
take it, seriously, unless you know you already have significant skill in
the area.  It only takes one desperate or just plain evil person, and you
might not have an opportunity like this again.  Who knows where you'll
wind up next year.


On Wed, May 02, 2007 at 11:51:12PM -0500, David Andrews wrote:
> From: "Lisamaria Martinez" <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
> Subject: please forward and circulate 
> Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 17:24:02 -0700
> 
> Hi, 
> 
> The Sports and Recreation Division is wanting to host several self-defense classes this year at convention. In order to reserve a few classes I need to
> know jus how interested people are about learning self-defense. The person who would be teaching the classes comes highly recommended from folks in the
> wonderful land of Ohio. 
> 
> Fees are $30. The first class would most likely be on Saturday June 30. Several classes will continue throughout the week. The price may seem high, but
> the instructor adapts the class specifically for those who are blind. I trust my sources in Ohio, and therefore, recommend everyone attend.  
> 
> So, if you are interested please contact me at 
> lmartinez217 at gmail.com
>  or call at 510.289.2577. If you know others who are interested please call and give me an estimate of ... oh say ... five folks who would like to sign
> up. 
> 
> We'd like to have 150 people register ahead of time so that we can guarantee that this wonderful instructor gets paid. 
> 
> Best of luck to all. Please consider this fabulous opportunity. And, don't forget to call me with an estimate of people interested. I can then send you
> the contact info to send in your money. People are always welcome at the door. 
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> Lisamaria Martinez, President
> 
> Sports and Recreation Division        
> 
> What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. --Ralph Waldo Emerson