Finding Friends in Blind Places

I truly believe that there are no coincidences in this world. Whether you believe in God, a Higher Power or whatever is totally up to you. I choose to believe there is a Divine order to our lives.  And with that in mind, believe that every single person you meet along the way has a purpose in your life.  I read somewhere or heard somewhere, that sometimes a person comes into your life to teach you a lesson.  And many times are not meant to stay.  I refuse to accept that.  I am greedy.  I want to keep all my friends!!!

My journey into the National Federation of the Blind began with a phone call.  Not from the organization itself but from my sister Marilyn.  For those that do not know my sister, a phone call from her could last 2 hours.  She was given the task of looking-after a blind friend (Israel) of her ex-husband. She had no idea what to do.  So Marilyn did what she usually does when she doesn't know what to do, she called me.  That set me on the path to learning about the NFB.  But back to my present adventures and the subject of this blog.

Unless you happen to be blind or know someone who is losing their sight, you might not know of an amazing organization named the National Federation of the Blind (NFB).  This non-profit organization has been around since 1940.  Organized by a group of blind individuals who believed that they had the same rights and responsibilities as any other person.  People who believed they had the abilities to do anything anyone else could do. Can you imagine that?  Actually, the only thing unimaginable should be that we still allow discrimination of certain individuals and that such organization had to be created at all!

Imagine being told that you are unsuited to raise your child due to losing your sight?  And you have to go through the horror of a custody battle to prove your worth and keep your child.  Or that you don't deserve minimum wage and are paid less for doing the same job as a sighted person?  Only 32% of people who are blind are employed.  Not because they lack skills or are unwilling. It is hard to convince a company to employ someone they believe will not be productive.

Unfortunately, the first thing the public thinks about when they encounter a blind person is that they are "helpless".  I have been part of my local chapter, the National Federation of the Blind, Greater Jacksonville Chapter, since 2013; and let me tell you this group of wonderful individuals that I have grown to love and respect, are anything but "helpless".   They work and attend school.  They take care of their babies and husbands and wives.   And it is in this aspect, the changing of our nation's perception of what a blind person is capable of, that I have committed my energy and passion.

I invite all my family, friends and acquaintances to go to the National Federation of the Blind website nfb.org and read about this organization and all that it does for so many people, not just those that are blind.

Dedicated to:  Israel, Marita, Andy, Russ, Georgi, Joe, Latoya, Liz, Erica, Gina, Kirk, Quasia, Sue, Larry, Kaye, Glen, Ronasita, Toni, Doug, Carol, Jay, Levi, James B., James H., Bobby, Jessica E., Tracie,  Cheryl, Fallon, Sherry, Mary M., Mary Kay, Heather, Carla, Keisha, Sharon R., Johnny, John F., Jessica M., Sister Elizabeth, Kathy.