President:
Debbie Grubb
4215 17th Ave. W
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 749-6178
E-mail: debbiecg@verizon.net
First Vice President:
Robert Miller
2201 Limerick Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32309
(850) 906-9821
E-mail: easytalk@earthlink.net
Second Vice President:
John S. Richards, Jr.
939 NE 18th St.
Ocala, FL 34470
(352) 629-4530
E-mail: jsrj@embarqmail.com
Treasurer:
Patti Land
6933 Alpert Dr.
Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 521-9047
E-mail: pattianne1@cfl.rr.com
Membership Secretary:
Sally Benjamin
1531 Dempsey Mayo Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 877-1512
E-mail: floridacouncil@comcast.net
Recording Secretary:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Immediate Past President:
Paul Edwards
20330 NE 20th Ct.
Miami, FL 33179
(305) 692-9206
E-mail: edwpaul@bellsouth.net
Editor of White Cane Bulletin:
Sharon Youngs
237 Maple Ave.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 937-8631
E-mail: sky11@tampabay.rr.com
Articles for the White Cane Bulletin must be submitted to Sally Benjamin no later than the 20th of the month before it is published. Sally’s email is: floridacouncil@comcast.net
If you do not have access to a computer and email please find someone in your chapter to help send it. We would like to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our newsletter. If you don’t have a way to write an article you can call Sharon Youngs at the number above and she will be glad to write it for you.
Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright.
If you are moving please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also if you know of anyone interested in joining FCB and who would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum please contact me at: (800) 267-4448 or E-mail: floridacouncil@comcast.net
As I write to you, the Convention Committee is busily working to put the finishing touches on FCB’s 2010 Convention. Sila Miller, Convention Chair, and I collaborated on the convention announcement letter which will leave the Library and find its way into your mailboxes shortly. The FCB bus will bring attendees to Jacksonville on Thursday evening, May 20 and leave shortly after the conclusion of the May 23, Sunday afternoon Post convention Board meeting. On Thursday evening, you have the option of enjoying a dinner cruise. This year’s convention program offers many and varied opportunities for convention attendees to improve their computer skills; customize an exercise program for home use; view some of the latest innovative products available for purchase from local stores and shops; hear what is currently going on at the Library that serves us so well and receive hands on tutoring in how to download digital books from the NLS website; learn about the latest trends in grant writing and how to bring other valuable resources to your local chapter; receive valuable information in how to make your community more accessible; experience a workshop designed especially for guide dog users emphasizing aspects of day to day work with these wonderful animals; participate in the annual legislative seminar; benefit from a meaningful workshop put together by FCB’s Employment Committee; participate in the annual town hall meeting with staff from the Division of Blind Services; honor the wonderful volunteers who richly enhance the work of the state organization and its many vibrant affiliates at FCB’s annual awards banquet; enjoy delicious food and wonderful fellowship at our annual Saturday evening banquet during which you will hear a dynamic presentation that makes some reasoned assumptions regarding where blind people will be in 30 years; enjoy wonderful music from a local band and participate in our annual raffle drawing. Come prepared to cast your vote for the men and women who, between the annual Board meeting and Convention, will lead FCB for the next two years. Please consider running for an office and share your past experience in your Chapters or other organizations with us. If you know of someone who will bring talent and commitment to excellence to an FCB office, please ask them to allow you to place their names into nomination at the meeting of the Nominating Committee or from the floor at our Sunday morning business meeting. FCB has much important work ahead of it. This administration hands off to the next administration an organization that has built on its previous history of excellence. There are several important initiatives that require continued hard work. It is the duty of every FCB member to do his/her part to insure that our brightest and best occupy the organization’s offices. FCB is counting on each of you to honor that responsibility.
On Friday, February 19, I traveled to Washington, DC to represent FCB at the annual Affiliate Presidents’ Meeting and the ACB Legislative Seminar. The closure of the Oregon School for the Blind prompted ACB President, Mitch Pomerantz, to put together an excellent panel to discuss the future of schools for the blind in this country. The President of the Oregon Council of the Blind, shared with us the valiant attempt made by the OCB and other interested organizations of and for the blind to keep the school open. We who listened to this wonderful presentation came away moved by the tragedy in Oregon and even more committed to keeping our own state schools for the blind viable. We learned much from presentations regarding responsibilities of affiliate leadership, planning conventions, using the global coverage of ACB Radio which, by the way, was excellently facilitated by our own Paul Edwards, and affiliate accounting responsibilities.
On the afternoon of Sunday, February 21, Mike and Debbie Drylie joined me for the ACB annual Legislative Seminar. We participated in the training session on Sunday afternoon and all day on Monday, February 22. Highlights of this training session included presentations by Daniel F. Goldstein, Managing Partner, Brown Goldstein Levy who provided an Update on ACB's Settlement with Arizona State and Amazon regarding access to commercially produced digital books; Lynnae Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education introduced herself and discussed the purview of RSA; Kathy Martinez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor introduced herself and discussed the mandate of her office.
ACB brought forward two legislative imperatives for their state affiliates to present on Capitol Hill. The first was the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. The second was The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. What follows is a quote from the ACB Legislative Imperatives document that Mike and Debbie Drylie and I left with every member of the Florida Delegation when we visited their offices on Tuesday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 24. “ACB strongly urges the House of Representatives to pass H.R.3101, Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act which has been introduced by Rep. Ed Markey. ACB strongly supports the following provisions in the legislation:
· Require that mobile and other Internet-based telecommunications devices have accessible user interfaces and offer people with disabilities access to a full range of text messaging and other popular services that are currently largely inaccessible;
· Provide people who are deaf-blind with vital, but costly, technologies they need to communicate electronically;
· Restore the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) modest video description rules and provide clear authority to expand such regulations.
· Require emergency announcements and similar information to be accessible to people with disabilities through audible presentation of on-screen alerts.
· Ensure that video programming offered via the Internet will be both captioned and described, and call for all devices that receive and play back video programming to employ accessible user interfaces and allow easy access to video description.
The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. Key Provisions of the Bill
1. The Secretary of Transportation is directed to conduct a study beginning within 90 days of passage of this legislation and to complete it within two years of its commencement, at which time, the Department of Transportation shall report the study's findings to Congress.
2. Within 90 days after the conclusion of the study, the Secretary is then directed to establish a standard that will take into account the results of the study, and will set forth the minimum information that must be provided by motor vehicles required for blind and other pedestrians to travel safely and independently in urban, rural, and residential environments.
3. The bill provides that the standard shall apply to all "new motor vehicles."
We ask that you cosponsor H.R. 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, or the companion bill S.841.
The Drylies and I visited the entire Florida delegation, making 13 visits on Tuesday and 13 on Wednesday. We did our best to represent each of you in a manner that would make you proud to be associated with the Florida Council of the Blind. I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mike and Debbie Drylie for their multi-year commitment to our Hill visits.
In my last President’s Message, I wrote to you about the initiative afoot to extend the deadline from 2012 to 2016 by which Florida’s supervisors of elections have to make the voting process used by the general public accessible to all of us who have difficulty reading ink print text or handling paper. There is now a Senate Bill with a provision allowing this to happen. There is a House companion bill that does not incorporate this provision. The FCB in coalition with the Florida Association of Agencies serving the Blind, (FAASB); the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, (NFBF); Blind Veterans Association, Florida Regional Group; and the Florida Voters Coalition will respond in writing to members of the Florida Legislature and to the press regarding this unfair and unnecessary Senate Bill provision by Tuesday, March 2. We will do our utmost to insure that our civil right to vote using the same system deemed by the Florida legislature to be best for the general public is guaranteed. As I stated in my last President’s Message, the rationale for the postponement of the deadline from 2012 to 2016 is that there will be telephone and Internet options available as a viable voting process. The coalition believes that this argument is disingenuous because we know from past history of the commitment of the Florida Legislature to the paper ballot and its accompanying paper trail. People with disabilities do not wish to vote on a separate system when technology certified by the State of Florida, already exists to make the paper ballot voting system mandated by State law accessible to us. I want to thank the FCB Executive Committee for seeing the wisdom of reaching out to the other members of the coalition to invite them to work on issues of importance to all people who are blind and visually impaired.
FCB is your organization. Our desire is always to work on initiatives that will positively impact the lives of Florida’s citizens who are blind and visually impaired. I look forward to seeing many of you in Jacksonville in May.
Jacksonville is anxiously awaiting the return of the members of the Florida Council of the Blind for our 57th annual State Convention. The 2010 event will take place from May 20th thru 23rd. Many exciting items are being prepared for the agenda! Please make your reservation by calling the hotel directly at (904) 741-4404 by April 15th, 2010 to ensure your group rate of $90 per night. Complementary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel is just one of the perks.
If you have any problems, questions or comments, please e-mail me directly so they may be addressed.
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Jacksonville.
Rosanna Lippen
Hotel Coordinator
rmlippen@bellsouth.net
Below are some quick facts to help you in planning your stay in Jacksonville with FCB. We look forward to seeing lots of you there. This year’s agenda promises to be one of our best and is filled with informative, fun and valuable workshops and information!
Transportation:
· Gator City Taxi (904) 355-8294 – Charges approximately $30.00 from bus station and $20.00 from train station to hotel.
· Jacksonville Para-transportation (904) 265-6999 – Must coordinate 1 month in advance to be eligible for the service.
FCB has again secured the two-meal package for Friday and Saturday evening’s banquets for only $55.00. Our banquets are a time of celebration, motivation and coming together and we hope many of you will join us at these important meals.
Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF) invites you to join them for a boxed lunch and exciting program on Friday morning. Lunch is only $10.00 and you’ll leave with a new product, compliments of their hostess, Rita Princivalli.
FCB has the convention room rates three days before and after our conference so if you have a little time to play . . .
· Jacksonville Zoo is located at 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218. Their phone number is (904) 757-4463 and their website is www.jacksonvillezoo.org
· River City Market Place, a nearby plaza has many restaurants and shopping establishments. The hotel offers a plaza pass and will transport you there and back for $3.00.
· Subway Sandwiches, Waffle House and Denny’s are all within walking distance of our hotel.
Questions? Contact Sila Miller, Convention Registrar at either silam@earthlink.net or call her at (850) 251-5556.
Paul Edwards Seeks Presidency
I am writing this brief article to announce that I will be a candidate for election to the office for President of the Florida Council of the Blind. I have worked closely over the past four years with Debbie Grubb and believe that I have the skills and knowledge to offer Florida the kind of leadership our organization deserves.
I know that, by myself, I cannot run the organization well. However, I believe that with the support of the Executive Committee and of the various affiliate Presidents, I can do a good job. I hope that many of the affiliates will feel comfortable supporting my candidacy and, whether I win or lose, I look forward to working with FCB to see the needs and interest of people who are blind well represented in the Sunshine State.
Paul Edwards, Candidate for President
Don Moore Seeks First Vice Presidency
I’ve lived in Florida since 2005, I’ve been a member of ACB since 1973. One of the things I’ve learned is that ACB is a dynamic organization which has accomplished much over the years.
It is in this spirit that I wish to run for the position of First Vice President in FCB at the convention in Jacksonville.
In New York, I served as President and Vice President of both my State and local ACB chapters. I have also served as Guide Dog Users of New York President.
Here in Florida I have served on FCB’s Publicity and Publications committee and the Constitution and bylaws committee. I have also served as Treasurer of CCTB, and Membership Secretary and Recording Secretary of Guide Dog Users of Florida.
It is my hope that the experience I have gained, together with my involvement in Church, Fraternal and civic organizations, will lend itself well to me doing a good job for FCB.
Sharon Youngs Seeks Second Vice Presidency
To: All FCB Members:
In this issue of the White Cane Bulletin are letters from lots of people who are seeking your vote in the election at the Convention in May. This is another one of those letters.
I think I became a member of FCB back in 1981. I was first elected to the position of FCB secretary in 1983. Now, I think FCB can use my experience and knowledge of past history. So, I’m asking for you to consider me for the position of second vice president.
In addition to serving as FCB secretary for all these years, I’ve been involved with the special interest group, FCCLV. I’ve held most of the offices in that chapter. I was actually president for one term. I have served my local chapter also. I am currently finishing up my term as president of the Pinellas Chapter. I also hold the office of secretary in my local Lions Club. I retired from work outside my home last year.
Please consider me for the office of Second Vice President when we come together at the Convention. Sharon Youngs
Shelley Justice Seeks Second Vice Presidency
Dear FCB members and Friends:
I am Shelley Justice from Orlando and I am taking this opportunity to announce my candidacy for the office of FCB 2nd vice president. I am currently employed as a medical transcriptionist, working for the Lighthouse of Houston, and I am MFCB chapter president.
Our FCB leadership is about to undergo great change; and while this can appear overwhelming and a bit frightening, I do not believe it has to be so. Change is often a good thing and with strong leadership and a good support team, surely much that is of a positive nature can occur.
No doubt, you are asking, “What qualifies you to run for this position?” I can tell you that I have been a member of FCB since 2000, when I joined MFCB. I attended my first FCB state convention in 2001. Since that time, I have served as recording secretary of MFCB from 2002 through 2006. In 2006, I was elected chapter president and I am currently serving my 4th and final term in that office. I also serve on the Employment, Project Insight and Resolutions committees at the state level. As you all know, MFCB, along with FCB hosted the ACB National Convention this past year. It was a challenging but rewarding experience for me. There was a lot of work to do, but we had fun doing it. It could not have been done without the able assistance of my fellow chapter and host committee members.
My experience at holding office dates back to my school days. Throughout elementary, junior and high school I held all class offices at one time or another. During that time, I learned a little about good and not-so-good leadership. I also learned a little about areas in which I excel, and areas in which I do not. I learned, for example, that I make a better secretary than a treasurer. I am told that I am a good listener, and my communication skills are good.
The position of 2nd vice president requires someone who is responsible, level headed, can carry out assigned tasks, and above all, is supportive to the president and the rest of the members of the board of directors. While I have learned a great deal and have enjoyed serving as MFCB president, I have come to believe that I serve better in a supporting role than as the star of the show. I do believe that I can hold this office and fulfill its responsibilities very effectively. I urge the members of FCB to give me the opportunity to prove that by supporting my candidacy for the office of FCB 2nd vice president.
I thank all of you for taking the time to read this and for considering me. Mostly, I extend my heart-felt thanks to FCB and to ACB for being the organization that it is; an organization in which all members can find a place to belong, to excel, and to be the very best people we can be. Should any of you have questions or comments for me, my contact information is below. I look forward to seeing all those who are able to attend the state convention in May in Jacksonville.
Sincerely,
Shelley Justice, MFCB President
Seabelle913@att.net
Phone: (407) 668-4745
Sila Miller Seeks Secretary
Dear Fellow Members of FCB:
As many of you know, FCB will hold its biannual election of officers at our May convention. Thus, the time is now to begin the process of determining who the candidates are and for whom you will cast your important vote. As our President, Debbie Grub has mentioned in her President's Report and messages, almost every officer of our current Executive Board has announced that they will either not be seeking re-election or are not eligible to run for their same position. Boy, we've got our work cut out for us, don't we?
After much consideration, wise counsel and prayer, I'm writing to let you all know of my decision to seek the office of FCB's Recording Secretary. While no one can fill Sharon Youngs’ shoes, I believe that with her good example, limitless advice and the support of my fellow FCB family, I can do a good job of keeping accurate records for FCB.
I have been a member of FCB since 1992. I currently serve as FCB’s Convention Committee Chair, Convention Registrar and on both the Publicity and Archives committees. I read both braille and large print proficiently and love to write, though I do tend to be a bit flowery with my words. I have served my local chapter, Tallahassee Council of the Blind, as President, Secretary, and Treasurer. I love FCB and what it stands for and believe my long-time commitment to our organization will show that dedication and love.
I would appreciate your vote and support in May at our election of officers. Please feel free to email or call me with questions. My contact information is: silam@earthlink.net or (850) 251-5556.
Respectfully:
Sila Miller
Dale Roberts Seeks Treasurer
Dear FCB,
My name is Dale Roberts and I am a native of the state of Oklahoma. What do I bring to the table that qualifies me as a good candidate for the position of Treasurer?
I received a BS degree from Louisiana State University and attended one year of graduate school after which I worked for twenty-six years in the oil industry as a geophysicist. Ten years of which I owned and managed my own consulting business. The last four years I was employed by Champlin Oil Company as their division geophysicist having under my command eight employees and managed a budget of eight million dollars annually. After retiring from the oil business I moved to Florida and formed my own bookkeeping and tax preparation company.
In 2001, I was declared legally blind and set out to learn how to live as a blind person. With the help of The Florida Department of Blind Services I attended the school for the blind in Daytona where I studied the food service business. I quickly learned that food service was not for me. The Florida Department of Blind Services stepped forward and financed my training at Lions World School for the Blind in Little Rock Arkansas. Here I studied to become a CSR in the Tax Law division of the IRS. I was offered a job in the IRS’s Jacksonville office, where I worked for three and a half years.
While living in Jacksonville, I joined the local FCB affiliation and served on its finance committee and helped with updating they’re bylaws.
I moved back to Cape Coral in 2008 and joined the local FCB affiliation, where I served as Vice President until October of 2009.
My experiences in life and a desire to actively participate in matters that concern the blind community I believe qualify me for the position of treasurer.
Sheila Youngs Seeks Treasurer
Dear Fellow Members of FCB;
As many of you probably know, we are facing an extensive change in command at the helm of the FCB Board of Directors in our elections to be held at state convention in Jacksonville this May.
After much consideration and prayer, I am writing to let the members know that I am seeking nomination for the position of FCB Treasurer. It will be a difficult change for everyone, as it is going to be impossible to replace Patti Land and the outstanding job she has done during her term. I am hopeful that if I am elected, she will be a great mentor, and with her guidance we can ensure that I uphold the standard of excellence she has put forth. For those of you who do not know me, let me give you a bit of history:
I moved to Orlando in November of 2004 and joined the Mid-Florida Council of the Blind in January of 2005. My first FCB state convention was in May of 2005. Prior to moving here, I lived in Mississippi where I completed their BEP program and then became a member of the MCB State Executive Board. Before relocating to Mississippi, we lived in Virginia Beach, VA where I was a wife and mother. I volunteered for many years in the schools’ PTA, and at different times, held every office except treasurer. I have been involved in many other organizations through the years, and have always taken pride in fulfilling the duties that were required of me.
I currently hold a position on the FCB State Scholarship Committee and Access Committee, and have just begun my second term as the 1st Vice President of the Mid-Florida Council of the Blind. I am also a member on the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the Library. This past year, I had the pleasure of assisting in the planning of our national convention, held in Orlando, and felt I was an asset to that committee.
Right out of high school, I worked as a bookkeeper until I got married and had children. After my ex-husband retired from the Navy, he and I bought a Sports Bar/Restaurant in Virginia Beach, and owned it for 3 ½ years. My responsibilities in running that business included payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the purchase and inventory of supplies. Since moving to Florida, I have been employed with the Orange County School Board as a Para-professional, and have the blessing of working with blind and visually impaired children. I am a proficient computer user and a so-so Braille reader.
I have probably told you more than you wanted to know, but I do want you to know that I feel I am capable of handling this responsibility, and would very much appreciate your support. Please be aware that if I am elected, I will do the best job I can and will devote my time to accomplish the duties that will be required of me.
If anyone would like to contact me, please feel free to do so. My information is at the end of this letter. Thank you for your time, and see you all in May.
Sincerely,
Sheila Young
1st Vice President
Mid-Florida Council of the Blind
Sayoung125@att.net
407-425-9200
Sally Benjamin Seeks Membership Secretary
Hello FCB Members,
It is once again time to elect new officers. I think most every office on the executive committee will have a new face soon. I believe I am the only one who is seeking reelection. I have served as membership secretary for the past two years and enjoyed it very much.
I have been a member of FCB since the 90’s. I have been the Project Insight person since 2003. I have served as President and Treasurer of the Tallahassee chapter. I also chair the Publications and Membership committees and am also on the Convention committee.
I feel that I am just really getting a good handle on the membership list. It is a big job and I feel that I am the person to do it because you really need a database to keep everything in order.
I would appreciate your vote for membership secretary in May.
Sincerely,
Sally Benjamin
All of five foot, two inches tall, little Patricia Anne Hendricks, Patti to most of us came into this world on Christmas day, 1951 in Memphis Tennessee. "I was born at 5 p.m., a perfect way to mess up a family gathering. So after 5 PM, Momma always made a fuss over me. She’d say, "Ahh, it's not Christmas any more, it's Patti Anne's birthday," Patti says in her soft southern way. “She'd always hang on to one or two packages for the birthday deal and I never felt like I got the short end. I was a little late life surprise,” Patti laughs. “My parents were both 40 when I was born." Patti is the middle child of Velma Lourene Shaw and Sanford Hendricks, both originally from the Birmingham area. She grew up with a younger brother and older sister. “Momma stayed home and took care of us kids, animals, and daddy,” Patti says. Sanford worked in the Air force for 26 years doing aircraft maintenance. He retired as a Colonel and then had a career in mobile home sales and service. Being a military man, Sanford moved his family from Memphis to Panama City, to Newfoundland and back to Florida. Thus, by the time she reached the sixth grade, Patti had attended four different schools.
Patti is the only one in her family with a visual disability. Her eye condition is Retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor of the retina, the thin membrane on the back of the eye that works like a camera, taking pictures of what we see. The tumors consist of small round cells grouped into structures called rosettes. When the tumors are very large, small portions of them break away from the main mass and remain in suspension in the viscous fluid within the eye called the vitreous. These small tumors are called “vitreous seeds,” and are very difficult to treat. Retinoblastoma also has the potential to spread throughout the retina, into the eye and to other areas of the body. Patients may be born with retinoblastoma, but it is rarely diagnosed at birth. The first sign of retinoblastoma is usually a white reflex in the eye, often called a cat’s eye appearance, in which a white-yellow tumor/mass is seen through the pupil. Often times, the white reflex is first seen in a photograph of the child’s face. Other signs are complaints of poor vision, or turning of the eye inward or outward. When the tumor is very large, it can cause increased pressure in the eye, resulting in intense pain. If the tumor is contained within the eye, more than 95 percent of patients can be cured.
Patti had vision until she was about two. She underwent radiation treatment and several surgeries. Blessedly, Patti doesn’t remember any of this. “When I was younger, I used to dream in color but that has faded away,” Patti says.
In the 50s, Bay County was small and not very wealthy, and in an attempt not to have to deal with her, the Bay County public school powers that were, told Patti's mother that she’d have to know both print and braille prior to enrolling in school. “My momma wasn’t going to let that stop me so she found somebody who was a special Education student at FSU to teach me Braille. I already knew print from playing baby blocks, which had raised print letters on them with my little brother,” Patti explains. “I ended up enrolling in school on time anyway, knowing how to read print and Braille and then was bored silly because nobody else knew how to read Braille,” she scoffs. “You know, you give a kid the alphabet and scare up a couple of books and they’re on their way.”
“The Daytona Library didn’t exist back then so if you wanted Braille books you had to get them through Atlanta, the southeastern regional branch of the Library of Congress. Even after talking books became available through Daytona, you still had to go through Atlanta to get Braille,” Patti explains. “One day we were at Mexico Beach. This lady came over to my mom and asked, “Is your child blind?” Momma’s first reaction was to bristle and say, what’s it to ya, but then she found out she was the librarian from Atlanta, down for a summer visit with her family. And that’s how I got hooked up with the library and Braille books, thanks to Jewell Dyer, a lovely lady,” Patti recalls.
I asked Patti who’d taught her to use the slate and stylus. She paused and said, “I really don’t remember, I was always mechanical and things like that fascinated me so I probably figured it out myself. Course, my daddy would have been one to help, something like that would have been right up his alley too, something mechanical and mathematical.”
Patti’s parents learned of Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and after a family discussion, Patti enrolled there at the beginning of her seventh grade year. She attended FSDB through her high school graduation in 1969. “When I went to St. Augustine-- except for a piano tuner who came to tune my sister’s piano-- I had literally never met another blind or low vision person in my whole life. I knew that the American Printing House wasn’t there just for me or that Braille hadn’t been invented just for me, obviously. Getting to meet teachers like Mr. Foster and Mr. Albrecht, the blind and legally blind adults who were out there doing it, that was very inspirational and encouraging to me. Just meeting the kids who were on the same level that I was, was most reassuring at a time when a kid is starting to mature emotionally and physically. Not only was I not the bottom of the barrel any more as far as kids who could see and dance and play sports and see the blackboard from the next County, I was somewhere in the middle. From having been independent all those years, I could help other people,” Patti recounts.
Following her high school graduation, Patti began attending Florida State University. “The 70s were upon us and after a year of college, I took off with my high school sweetheart, Ashley Lee who was a musician,” Patti says. “He played keyboard in a traveling band. They played hotel lounges and such. We roamed around the mid-west and finally settled in the Orlando area. Then, as young couples sometimes will, we eventually went our separate ways. We were married for seven years.”
During the early stages of her career, Patti did clerical and switchboard work. “I even did some telemarketing which I truly hated and never made a dime at,” Patti asserts. In 1976, Patti began working for the State of Florida where she remained employed for the next 23 years. She retired in December of 1999.
In March of 1982, Patti and Robert (Bob) Allen, a fellow member of the Mid-Florida chapter were married. They’d known each other for a long while but things got serious after a weekend camping trip at the Lions Camp in Lake Wales. Bob, who was originally from Illinois had suffered from juvenile diabetes most of his life. Tragically, he passed away only a short five weeks after their wedding, due to complications from the diabetes.
Patti became involved with FCB at the local level in the late 70s thanks to a mid-Florida member, Janie Clemons. “There were others whom I learned from too,” Patti says. “Jackie Gideons, a long-time member’s mother, Lourene Gideons was one of the founding mothers of the MFCB.”
During the early 80s, MFCB had some presidents who were very able and capable at the local level but for whatever reason, were not interested in becoming active at the state level or weren’t able to travel to attend those meetings. Patti served as Vice President and Secretary for MFCB for many years and as a member of the local Board, was sent to the state FCB meetings to represent MFCB as their Board representative. “I had no idea what this entailed but there were some nice people who told me what I was supposed to be doing and it was very interesting,” Patti recalls. “I hung around committees and began learning. That’s what I tell new people who are just getting involved and don’t know what to do, I say, find a committee that sounds interesting, hang around and listen and learn.” Luckily for FCB, Patti has “hung around” and now co-hosts the First-timers workshop where newcomers are welcomed and “shown the ropes”.
“Karen Lourcey chaired Education and Leadership for a while and then Vinnie Mistretta took it over. I kind of inherited it but had their good training and example to follow. I put together the scholarship criteria as it stands today. It was kind of loosely stated but we were dealing with a lot less money back then. Scholarships was my baby for years,” Patti muses.
Patti has served on the Education and Leadership, Awards, Accessibility and Employment committees. She has been honored with such revered awards as the R. Henry P. Johnson, W.A. OUZTS and President’s Special Award. She richly deserves each and every one, and then some. She has served as FCB’s Treasurer since 2000. Patti laughingly jokes, “Yeah, my statute of limitations has expired. But, I will happily mentor someone new to perform the Treasurer’s duties.” Those will be big shoes to fill since Patti’s helpmate, David serves as her eyes. “All I do is put the ink on the paper,” David modestly says. “I don’t know what her secret of keeping all of it organized is, just using a brailler and abacus but, her hard drive never crashes.”
Patti was acquainted with Stuart Davis through Janie Clemons, the lady who’d first introduced her to FCB. Janie’s neighbor, friend and sometimes driver Linda was married to him. “I knew him but we didn’t run in the same circles,” Patti explains. Several years later, both Janie and Linda had passed away and Patti had lost touch with Stuart. She was mentioned in a newspaper article having to do with an art show and the blind community. Stuart called her to ask if she was the one mentioned, invited her for pizza and to catch up, and that led to a sweet ten-year union. Sadly, Stuart passed away from a malignant brain tumor in January of 1998.
In March of 2001 Patti began working at The Lighthouse of Central Florida, formerly SIGHT teaching Braille. Then, on Friday the 13th of September, 2002, she met David Land, another Illinois boy who was taking computer courses there. After completing his courses, David began helping out in their non-profit store. They became inseparable and were married on May 22nd, 2004. “Don't get me started on how wonderful David is, and what a real surprise it was when he walked into my life,” Patti lovingly states.
Patti loves cats. She and David have five. She enjoys reading, exclusively in Braille, cooking and collecting Braille cookbooks.
When I asked about people who were inspirational to Patti she said, “Jim Lamb is one. His intelligence is what intimidated me. I felt so inferior next to him. What is it they say? “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove any doubt?” Some of the women of FCB, Terry Blessing, Linda Jacobson, Debbie Grubb, women who take on a leadership role and still maintain such a lovely degree of femininity. They kick butt with a sweet smile,” Patti says, with a sweet smile of her own. “Talk about an inspiration, in the late 70s, a bunch of us attended a conference in Tampa at Stone’s Motor Lodge involving Section 504, kind of like the bridge between the Rehab Act of the early 70s and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of the early 90s. I hung out with Paul Edwards, Doug Hall, Mike Taylor and Nancy Burgess. In fact, that’s where Doug and Nancy first met. The five of us stayed up way too late that first night, talking and exchanging ideas and how we’d gotten to the point that we were in our lives and while we were doing this, we drank way too much beer. So the next morning, we’re all about half asleep and we’re all in a row in the back of this meeting room and this preacher gets up to speak. Section 504 is for all disabilities so there were all sorts of people with challenges there who would be interested in this kind of legislation. This man had a southern Baptist, “rattle the rafters” kind of way of speaking and he said something like, God bless those who do not hear the music on this earth, fore they will hear the angels’ choir. And God bless those who do not walk on this earth, fore they will walk the golden streets of heaven and on and on. When he got to the blindness, I guess he’d have rather took a whippin’ than say the word “blind,” cause he said “and God bless the unsightly among us.” We were all holding hands and I thought, if even one of them as much as breathes, I’ll just crack up and never be able to stop laughing. But we were all good and nobody laughed. That was classic!” Patti laughingly recalls.
When the topic turned to advice, Patti laughed and said, “there are some blind people who are jerks so it’s alright to treat em as such. When I was a college student, there was no way in blue perfect hell that I would have hung out with just blind people. I was trying to spread my wings and be accepted in the sighted world. And that’s fine. However people go about getting their lives together and being accepted and accepting who they are is ok. There is such a thing as the “blindness community,” for lack of a better word. And I think it’s a great thing that there are such fine, intelligent, capable, farseeing people to be involved with things that are going on like technology and legislation and such. It’s getting more and more important that we do stick together in whatever way that’s comfortable for each person. I’m glad to be involved with so many neat people.
Neat people? I can’t think of many more neat, strong, intelligent, organized and genuinely sweet people than Patti Land. From my infancy in FCB in the early 90s, she has treated me with respect and kindness. I have learned a lot from this true survivor and fine example of a “blind person out there doing it.” Thank you, Patti Anne!
Thanks once again to Sila Miller for the following poem. She wrote this poem and sent it to me. I have previously asked for special requests for poems to place in the White Cane Bulletin. When those poems are original works by our members, I will always submit them without a doubt. Sila, thanks again. I do admire poets. Keep writing those poems.
Roses From Bree
by Sila Miller
In Sila’s Words, “Dedicated to Bree Houston with love and thanks!”
"I wanted to give you your roses," a friend e-mailed to say,
"While you're alive and well and can enjoy them today!"
She had no way of knowing how much that note meant to me,
After being ridiculed and persecuted, emotionally brought to my knees.
She proceeded to relate how my past kindness had touched her world,
She said "I really like and appreciate you, Girl."
Her sweet words were like fragrant roses, as they assailed my hurting heart,
Giving me hope and reaffirming my resolve to make yet another new start.
I hadn't given that long-ago encounter a minute's thought,
I had no idea of the impression and change a small gesture wrought.
To me, helping her or anyone, is just natural and good and right,
How could I know of her turbulent emotional struggle, coping with the recent loss of her sight?
I'm so thankful for this fine example of good human interaction,
Grateful to have had a part in helping someone brings untold satisfaction.
So why not follow her example, give those "roses" to someone in need,
They don't cost a penny, just some well-thought out words or a little good deed.
Share the good things, lighten someone's emotional load,
They're powerful and perfect, a good seed sowed.
You never know when it'll be you on the other end,
Alone, misunderstood, unappreciated and needing a friend.
Thank you again Friend for my beautiful bouquet,
I have definitely enjoyed those roses that you sent my way!
As some of you already know, Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF) is one of the newest affiliates of FCB, and Guide Dog Users Inc. One of our primary goals is to educate guide dog users regarding their rights and responsibilities, with GDUF members serving as mentors and empathizers for those who seek that assistance.
To promote safe travel for guide dog teams and all pedestrians, we would like to tell you about one of our current fundraisers, which is the sale of a Lighted Safety Arm Band. This is an L E D light, visible up to one mile, with a three-position slide switch on the device. The middle position is the off position. Sliding the switch to one side causes the light to blink. Sliding the switch in the other direction displays a steady light. The band is adjustable to fit on an arm, an ankle or a guide dog harness, making it a natural fit for any pedestrian or bicyclist. Pedestrians of all ages can benefit from the added safety of making drivers aware of their presence with this easy to use, attractive and far reaching lighted armband.
This safety armband can be yours for a $10 donation to Guide Dog Users of Florida. To purchase one, or more, please send your check or money order made payable to Guide Dog Users of Florida, to:
Patricia A. Lipovsky
1129 Bradenton Rd,
Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
We plan to have a table in the exhibit hall at the convention in Jacksonville. So, you will be able to get these armbands there also. If you would like to learn more about these armbands, or have any further questions, you may reach me at: (386) 255-0488, or Email: plipovsky@cfl.rr.com
On behalf of Guide Dog Users of Florida, President Frela Grubb and myself, thanks for your support and interest in our organization, and look forward to seeing many of you at our next convention in Jacksonville.
Cutting Through the Lingo
Before going to your local electronics store to purchase a new computer, one should become familiar with the terminology used. After reading this article, you may want to browse the inventory your local dealer has to offer or call a company that you know will put a system together for you as well as support it in the future. There are blind individuals within our own organization who own businesses who provide those types of services. Unlike your local electronics store, they can advise you as to the adaptive hardware and software currently being used. You should still visit a business that sells the products you need and read the item descriptions on the sale labels in order to familiarize yourself with what is available.
For example purposes, I am going to pick apart a heading description of an item currently for sale from a site on the internet.
HP Compaq 500B NV516UT Microtower Business PC - Intel Pentium E5300 2.60GHz, 1GB DDR3, 160GB HDD, DVDRW, Windows XP Pro
1. Brand and model of the computer: HP Compaq 500B NV516UT Microtower Business PC
2. Brand, class, model and speed of the processor: Intel Pentium E5300 2.60GHz brand: Intel, class: Pentium, model: E5300, speed: 2.60GHz
3. Memory size and type: 1GB DDR3, Size: 1GB, type: DDR3
4. Size of hard drive: 160GB HDD
5. Optical Drive Class: DVDRW
6. Operating system: Windows XP Pro
That was an example of a general description you may encounter while looking for a computer. For more specific specifications, ask to browse the product manual or get the salesman to read them to you. If he or she wishes to sell a system, they will probably be more than glad to read you the specs.
Find Free WiFi Hotspots (city, state, or zip) Follow the link below and type your zip code in to the edit field. Make sure the edit field is empty before you type. http://v4.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm
The Technology Committee urges everyone to use the FCB chat rooms that are linked To: http://www.fcb.org.
Click on the "Voice Chat for FCB" link. When the page loads, you can either click on the "Florida Council of the Blind General Chat Room" link or the "Florida Council of the Blind Board & Committee Chat Room" link. When the page loads, First time users should click the "download here button" to install the plug-in called tcConference. tcConference is a little piece of software that lets you talk with others, anywhere in the world. When you click the "Download Here" button you Will be prompted to download or run the tcConference software. Select "Run" and tcConference will be installed to your system. When tcConference has been installed, click on the "Finish" button to complete the installation process. At that point, you should return to the web page you were at before you performed the software installation. Now, click on the link that says, "Click here to enter in the room." A page will load with two edit fields, prompting you for a username and password. Type your name in the first edit field and leave the second edit field blank. Press "Enter" and you should be launched in to the room. You should hear a sound when you enter the room. If others are present, you may hear them talking. Press your Control key to talk and release it to listen. If you are unable to perform any of the above tasks, feel free to contact a member of the Technology committee for assistance.
If you know when you have a meeting scheduled in either of the rooms, ask for assistance a day or two in advance so someone can assist you in a timely manner. Please feel free to contact me if you are having difficulty with either of the chat rooms. My contact information is located in the "FCB OFFICERS, 2008 - 2010" section of this publication.
Notwithstanding the uncertainty of the weather at this time of the year, Clay Council of the Blind recently ventured out for an event at our nearby State Park. Ten members of the Clay Council participated in Gold Head Ranch State Park Yesterdays Festival held on January 30th. Although rain did occur during our three hour visit, forecasts of rain allowed us to prepare ourselves with appropriate attire and temperatures near seventy degrees, made this a pleasant outing.
Every year, Events Coordinator, Crystal Tenerani, invites those with artifacts or skills from an earlier era to bring them out and put them on display for the public to see them in this wondrous setting. Proud owners of automobiles from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s were showing off their cars from “yesterday”. The boys that enjoy blowing up things were also very much in evidence, even to the visually impaired. Even if the black powder varieties of gunpowder aren’t as potent as its modern cousins, it can nevertheless be noisy. More to our liking were people that used yesterday’s methods of producing foods. We all loved an ice cream maker and seller that employed a one-cylinder gasoline engine from 1927 to turn the churn. We all had a cup of homemade ice cream and can attest that it can give you a “Brain Freeze” as well as anything you’ll get at Dairy Queen.
Ranger Steve Earl guided our tram tour of the 2400-acre Gold Head State Park. Gold Head was one of eight original state parks established in the 1930’s. It started with a donation of 700 acres and the rangers are hoping to continue adding additional properties should they come available. Along the tour, it was pointed out that the sand hills we passed were once sand dunes, produced by the piling up of sand by the ocean. Although the current shoreline is approximately 45 miles to the east, these things come and go over eons. Ranger Earl said that the Long Leaf Pine trees that grow on these sand hills have adapted to Florida’s frequent lightning started forest fires. These pine trees do not drop their seeds until after a fire.
We also heard about the Gopher Tortoises called “Keystone Species,” that can be seen at Gold Head Branch State Park. The Keystone Gophers dig burrows for their own use. However, other species make use of these burrows. Burrows may provide refuge for as many as 350 other species. Burrows are used for feeding, resting, reproduction and protection from temperature extremes, moisture loss and predators. There were many other fascinating points of interest. There are six miles of nature trails where one can view and consider the flora and fauna at leisure.
Our ranger guide pointed out that the park has camping facilities and cabins to rent. Recent construction has provided two handicapped accessible cabins for rent.
Assistant Park Manager, Charles Smith and the entire staff of rangers at Gold Head Branch State Park could not have been more accommodating to the Clay Chapter. Our group had a wonderful time on this outing. Thankfully the number of state parks has been expanded. Most of them have public events on their calendars. Attending outdoor events is less taxing during the five cooler months of the Florida year. Clay Chapter is planning on making attendance at “Yesterday’s Festival” a regular happening. Attending special events at state parks or festivals typically held in the springtime can be fun.
The recent membership drive held by FCCLV was a success. At one point our numbers dwindled down to only 13. Now we are 37 members strong and growing.
During the Mid-year FCB Board meeting, the officers met for a breakfast meeting. Several decisions were made at that time. We plan to distribute some FCB raffle tickets to each member. All proceeds from the sale will be used to fund the $500 FCCLV scholarship. While we are talking about the FCCLV scholarship, let me mention that this scholarship is available on the FCB website.
Another decision that was made during the breakfast meeting was to have a couple of fun events at the Convention in May. We plan to hold our own raffle of some donated low vision devices. Also planned is a trivia type contest with “prizes” for those who have a font of useless knowledge.
After an absence of several years, the Viewpoint is back. We have committed to bringing news of new products and research in the field of low vision. In the winter issue there is an excellent article written by Sally Meyers, the Rehab Coordinator of the Manasota Lighthouse.
As FCCLV begins a new era of helping to supply useful information to enrich the lives of people with low vision throughout Florida, we ask you to contact us at: grillbh@comcast.net
Here are the results from the Election of MFCB Officers for 2010, which took place at the November 2009 General Meeting:
President - Shelley Justice (4th and final term)
1st Vice President - Sheila Young
2nd Vice President - Debbie Hazleton
Recording Secretary - Dick Sawyer
Treasurer - Bill Freeman
Membership Secretary - Jay Bader
Congratulations to all elected Officers. MFCB President Shelley Justice also wants to publicly extend appreciation to Dan Spoone, Larry Turnbull and Paul Hutsko for all their hard work for the Chapter. They will all be missed as Officers for 2010.
MFCB is also pleased to report that as a result of the Annual Membership Drive and Membership Renewals, we have a total of 58 Members. Thanks to all who have either joined our organization or continued to support our efforts.
After Committees were reviewed during the January General Meeting, one of the topics of the February General Meeting was the chapter’s contributions to 2 annual benefit walks: Lighthouse Central Florida’s Sight and Sole Walk, and the Southeastern Guide Dogs’ Walk-A-Thon. As has been tradition in recent years, MFCB Members unanimously voted to donate $100.00 to each of these valuable fundraisers. We wish both organizations much success with these events.
After the February General Meeting adjourned, our 2nd Vice President, Debbie Hazelton, gave a fascinating presentation on Bach Flower Remedies and aromatherapy. Debbie has been certified with both for quite a few years, and all in attendance were especially given the opportunity to sample some of the remedies Debbie talked about, as well as take some healing soap home. Then many of the Members and Guests took a short ride to O’Boys Bar-B-Q in Winter Park for a good lunch and plenty of laughs.
MFCB Members should take special note as to the next 2 Meetings. The tentative dates are Saturday, March 6th, and Saturday, April 3rd. The General Meeting times are from 12 NOON to 2 PM, and will be held at William Booth Towers in downtown Orlando. It is our hope to have Dusty Voorhees from Freedom Scientific speak with our chapter in April, and demonstrate some of the newer software available from the Florida-based company.
As we begin counting down to the FCB Convention in Jacksonville, there will be more to report from Mid-Florida Council of the Blind in the next Chapter News.
The Tallahassee Chapter, TCB, has been working diligently to inform Legislators about issues that are of concern to the Council. Three members of our chapter, Carl McCoy, Cassandra Jessie, and Gary Rogers visited two Representatives and one Senator, and spoke with them directly concerning Braille Awareness, the White Cane law, electronic information, transportation issues, and voting concerns. Members of the Committee felt that their concerns were received well by those with whom they met.
Our chapter also continues the ongoing challenge of educating Tallahassee City Officials about transportation issues that pertain to proposed changes in the City bus system.
Our chapter is proud to assist Lighthouse of the Big Bend by providing funds for furnishings for a reading room in the new Lighthouse of the Big Bend that will be relocating to a newer facility soon. The reading room will be open for visitors and consumers of Lighthouse services who need to pass some time while waiting for a ride, or who just want a place to read a wide variety of materials that will be available to them.
Vendors of Florida mandatory background screening is coming your way.
At the last committee meeting in Orlando, the agency announced that, all entering the vending program will need to pass a level II background check.
Those managers operating Department of Management Services (DMS) facilities will need to be screened, as well as their employees. The manager’s level II, employees level I screenings. Each facility will be handled on a case by case basis.
The requests from DMS for background checks have become more frequent, and the agency is working on a way to comply.
To find out more on level II background screenings check out Florida statute Chapter 435.04.
Project Insight: 800-267-4448
Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library: 800-226-6075
Division of Blind Services: (Tallahassee) 800-342-1828
American Council of The Blind: 800-424-8666 (available only 3:00 to 5:30 PM EST Monday-Friday)
ACB Legislative Hotline: 800-424-8666 (Evenings 8:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight EST Weekends 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM only)
AT&T Disability Services: 800-872-3883 Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier or, Florida only 800-982-2891
BellSouth Disability Services: 800-982-2891 from anywhere
Social Security: 800-772-1213 24-hour voice and touch-tone accessible
- THE END -
FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
1531 DEMPSEY MAYO ROAD
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308