(Up there on top is the NFB of Colorado Logo followed by “Live the life you want.”)
Blind Coloradoan
Blog December 14, 2018
Writer, aggregator
Kevan Worley. Co-editor Dan Burke.
Here is what you
need to know.
Before We Move to
Christmas and New Year’s Celebration, I want to recognize the Jewish members of
the National Federation of the Blind and their families. This year, the
celebration of Hanukkah took place the evening of Sunday, December 2 through
the evening of Monday, December 10. There have been many prominent Jews who
have led the civil rights movement, including members of our Federation over
many generations. That shouldn’t be a surprise. The word “Hanukkah” means
“dedication. “The holiday of Hanukkah commemorates a time (2,180 years ago)
when God empowered the ancient Israelites to defeat the powerful Syrian-Greek
army. The army, under the leadership of Antiochus Epiphanes, sought to conquer
Israel and cruelly deny the Jews their right to worship God or practice their
faith. Although vastly outnumbered and short of weapons, the brave Israelites
miraculously defeated the Syrian-Greek army over a three-year period. The Jews
re-claimed their land and holy sites, including the Jerusalem Temple, and
re-dedicated it to God.”-Shannon Carollo. The FamilyConnect blog has some ideas on how to include your
child who is visually impaired in Hanukkah traditions.
Fred Rogers Said, “I like to compare the holiday season with
the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar
way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar
moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.”
Don’t Forget the
Blind Kids at Christmas. Some might read that and say, “what?” Of course, we
wouldn’t forget our little darlings. Not intentionally. It’s fun to think a
little about ways to include your blind child that would enrich the experience
for her. I remember my siblings ooh-ing and ahh-ing over Christmas lights and
nativity displays. When I was a child the family would bundle into the car and
drive around the neighborhood looking at the displays. I enjoyed the love and
laughter of the family, but I missed all of the visual magic. When the family
gathered for church pageants, school plays, and Christmas movies, I couldn’t always
tell what was going on. I am not suggesting that we make such an extraordinary
effort to include blind children that they become the center of all activities.
Keep these things in mind: describe the
scenes of Christmas as they occur around you. Again, it doesn’t have to be the
dominant feature of social interaction but a few descriptive words every now
and then will enhance the experience. Most blind kiddos love noise and things
they can touch. Get the little ones toys that will make you crazy. That is,
toys that squeak and whine and rumble and talk and sing. How about choosing
tactile and crinkly wrapping paper. You might choose to wrap your blind child’s
gift in different textured paper with some kind of tactile or different shaped
tags. It is a perfect opportunity for braille. Don’t forget to include your
blind child when making those Christmas cookies. Include them in decorating. Search
out some braille and braille print books to read as a family. Check out these
resources: NFB.org, Dolly’s Imagination Library, National Braille Press, The Braille Book Store, and Seedlings. I would be very interested in your ideas. After all, there are
only 372 shopping days before Christmas ’19.
We must not let our
blind children be sedentary during the holidays. We know they will eat their
share of Christmas cookies. When I was about four, I recall receiving a
transistor radio. (Millennials and Generation Z can look it up.) The wonderful
gift necessarily kept me occupied with sound without any moving around. Our low
vision kiddos need access to digital play like their peers. But one of my
Christmas wishes is that we do not substitute digital access for social
activity and movement.
Braille cards and
board games, skates and scooters, weights, bicycles, balls, Fitbit, jump ropes,
hula hoops, yoga mats, and trampolines are as appropriate for most blind
youngsters as they are for children who see.
Will Rogers Said, “The only difference
between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress
meets.” Dan Burke says, “Scholarship Available for Blind High School
Students: Attend the NFB Washington Seminar Jan. 27-30, 2019.”
Learn about
advocacy and legislation.
Meet Colorado’s
U.S. Senators and Representatives.
Travel to our nation’s
Capital with dynamic blind leaders.
Scholarship
includes: airfare to Washington DC, lodging at the Capitol Holiday Inn
and a food allowance. Chaperones from the Colorado Center for the Blind will be
with each student.
Applicants must
be legally blind Colorado high school students and at least 16 years old.
Applicants must
submit an essay of 350 words. Write about why you want to attend this
event and how it will enrich your life.
Return your
essay to Dan Burke no
later than December 20, 2018. Winners will be notified no later than
January 2, 2019.
Colorado Blind
to Be a Part of History. NFBCO never endorses candidates but we are always a
part of civic endeavor and many of us engage in political activity as we live
the lives we want. I note that some of us will be at the upcoming inauguration
for Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. During his
service in Congress, Mr. Polis has often been a champion of people with
disabilities. State Representative Dianne Primavera has a background in
Vocational Rehabilitation. During her time in the General Assembly she always
took time to listen to our concerns. It is likely that without her objective
advocacy, rehab services for the blind would not have evolved over the past few
years in a way that has brought about significant positive change. Here is the
inauguration information.
Swearing-in
Ceremony
Tuesday, January
8, 2019
Public Viewing
Area Opens at 9:00 AM
Ceremony Begins
at 11:00 AM
West Capitol
Steps
200 E. Colfax
Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
This is a free,
non-ticketed event. Due to limited space, we encourage the public to arrive
early. This event is outdoors and will be standing room only in a public viewing
area, so dress and plan accordingly.
The evening of
the inauguration ceremony, a fun, exciting celebration and concert will take
place at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
The Blue
Sneaker Ball
Tuesday, January
8, 2019
General
Admission doors open at 6:30 PM
Denver Museum of
Nature and Science
Tickets go on
sale: Thursday, December 13 at 9 AM at Coloradoforall.com. General Admission
Cost: $75. I will see many of you on the capitol steps. And, right across the
street at 1525 Sherman, you can enjoy breakfast and lunch at Jack Sevier’s
Capitol Cafe. Jack is new to the Business Enterprise Program, BEP. He is a
trained chef and bakes some marvelous pies. And, let’s not forget to go in and
visit our colleague Nate Hecker. Nate has a Business Enterprise Program coffee
kiosk and vending business at the capitol, Hai Hai’s Limited.
Isn’t Hai Hai
the Chicken from Moana? I know these things, I’m a grandpa now.
With the Change
of Administrations, Governor Polis will be appointing the new Director of the
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, CDLE. The current Director, Sam
Walker, has served for approximately 1 year. Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, DVR, is housed in the department so the Governor’s choice will
impact the lives of people with disabilities.
“For She’s A
Jolly Good Fellow Which Nobody Can Deny.” Forty voices of admiration and
appreciation rang out for the retiring manager of Blindness and Low Vision
Services, BLVS, Julia Zanon. Camaraderie made such a beautiful noise at the
Colorado Association of Blind Merchant Wild West Chapter gathering at the
Downtown Courtyard Marriott Saturday evening December 8. The 5th
annual has become the social event of the season. Observed in attendance was
the LaBarre family, Steve Anton, Krista Hedlund, Wild West Chapter President
Melissa Fishburn, and blind entrepreneur Gary Nelson. Kuddos to Brad and
Marlene Basta for organizing another groovy time. Brad’s already working on the
date for 2019! He says folks should pencil in December 14. Now there is a
planner.
For Most of Us
Holidays Are About Family. This is no less true in our NFB family. I guess this
is why I like to visit our chapter holiday gatherings. Each year the Colorado
Springs Christmas get-together is worth the price of the $10 white elephant.
More than the surprisingly good food at Old Chicago, in my opinion, the chapter
welcomes guests and is always inspired by the humor of Brian Smith. Chapter
President Jeanette Fortin, mom, does her best to control our unruly family.
Join the Springs group sometime, you will be glad you did! The chapter
typically meets on the second Saturday morning of the month at 10 a.m. The
meeting is at the Garden Ranch YMCA. Join on us February 9!
Jessica Beecham Says: WE Fit Wellness has
partnered with The Anthem Foundation and United States Association of Blind Athletes to
offer 25 athletes the opportunity to take steps toward better health. Members
of the Denver/Colorado Springs group, along with 450 participants from 17
partner agencies located across the United States, will wear the Fitbit Flex 2
in order to increase their steps to 10,000 per day. Denver/Colorado Springs
athletes will also have the opportunity to participate in several 5K and 10k
race events.
Saturday, December 15, we will “don now our
gay apparel” and “run, run Rudolph” in the Santa Stampede. After the race,
National Fitness Challenge participants will head over to the Colorado Center
for the Blind for the Denver Chapter Christmas Party. We have heard tale that
Santa himself will be present!
While this is our first official race, our
participants have been on the move! Chris Parsons is a common name to see at
the top of the leader board along with both Batron’s. Our own Chaz Davis
stepped it up to take first place in the Visually Impaired Division of the
California International Marathon, which is the National Championship race for
blind runners. Gotta run!
Get Active! Here Is
an Item from our friends at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, CSDB:
Recently, CSDB hosted a presentation by Susan Scott, a member of Generation
Wild, an agency which helps people become more active outside. Ms. Scott
discussed how she was working hard to do a sport that best fit her physical
needs. For example, she ended up on the swimming team because she struggled in
using her knees in the sport of track. She competed on the swimming team in
South Africa and swam in a tournament in London. Ms. Scott won three medals
that she showed students, during her presentation. She currently works at the
United States Association of Blind Athletes and, in her role as a member of
Generation Wild, talks to community members about getting healthy by becoming
more active.
Our Colleague Brent
Batron Serves as Chair of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Board
of Trustees. He tells the Blind Coloradoan that the school continues the search
process for the next superintendent. Deadline for submission of application is
December 21. Interested candidates can reach the search-firm Ray & Associates, Inc.
Tis The Season. But
I am already thinking of the season of love and romance. Valentine’s Day is
just around the corner. The Anchor Center for Blind Children is hosting Visions
of Love 2019. This charming event pairing wine and chocolate celebrates the
artistry of all things decadent. Enjoy this opportunity to pamper your palate
and share the magic of Anchor Center’s building and mission during the season
of love. Hosted by the Denver Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter benefiting Anchor
Center for Blind Children.
Debbie MacLeod Send
News From the CO Talking Book Library: Be sure to check out the newsletter in
January about the adult winter reading program in partnership with the Denver
Public Library. Any CTBL patron can participate. And speaking of the
newsletter, it includes new DVD’s and books that have been added into the
collection; as well as other news so be sure to check it out. We publish it on the
CTBL website, NFB Newsline, in Braille or audio.
Colorado’s Own
Adventurer, Eric Weihenmayer, was the emcee at the largest ever San Francisco
LightHouse Gala the evening of November 29, 2018. Weihenmayer is the author of
two books, Touch the Top of the World: A Blind Man's Journey to Climb
Farther Than the Eye can See and The
Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness.
These books are on BARD and they would make great Christmas gifts, www.erikweihenmayer.com. Eric is Chair of No
Barriers USA. With
the sponsorship of the National Federation of the Blind, Eric and his team
climbed to the top of the world in the early part of the last decade. The
LightHouse Chris Buckley Award honored Scott LaBarre and Maryanne Diamond for
their work advocating for the Marrakesh Treaty to make books accessible to the
global blind community without exception. Benentech’s Jim Fruchterman presented
the award. For info about the event and the other important awards read the full recap.
Two Departures from Colorado DVR Will Make
the New Year a Challenge for Those in The Business Enterprise Program. Melanie
Honsbruch has provided extraordinary service to blind operators in the area of
administrative support. After the first of the year she will accept a new
opportunity within the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. She will be
greatly missed. And as we have discussed before in this
blog, Julia Zanon, Director of the Blindness and
Low Vision Services unit, which also oversees the Business Enterprise Program
along with other programs, retires at the end of this year. We wish both of
these talented professionals all the best. Don’t be strangers.
Mark Your 2019
Calendars! Sunday, June 23. That’s the tentative date of our second annual 6
Dot Dash 5K. Details coming soon.
Doing Some Reading
Over Your Holidays? Tired of Dickens? Consider “Making
Decisions, Setting Policy, and Taking Action. The Governmental structure of the
National Federation of the Blind” by Mark Riccobono. This piece does a
nice job of explaining how and why the NFB is governed and formulates the
policies that guide our work. You will find it in the book, Building the Lives You Want. 75 Years of the
National Federation of the Blind, available on NFB Newsline or by visiting
NFB.org. The book was edited by Deborah Kent Stein. Deborah is a prolific
writer and editor. She has written a number of marvelous children’s books.
Blind Coloradoan readers may be interested to know that she wrote the book America the Beautiful, Colorado. The
BARD synopsis says, “With its high, barren plains and nearly impenetrable
mountains, Colorado was one of the last areas in the continental U.S. to be
developed. Today, it is one of the nation's fastest growing states. Newcomers
are attracted by its breathtaking scenery, its wilderness areas, and its
high-tech industries. The author discusses the geography, history, economy,
culture, sites, and people of Colorado. For grades 4-7 and older readers.” It
was published almost 30 years ago. Many statistics will be out of date;
however, the book does a nice job of capturing history, geography, and the
sensibility and sweep of Colorado. Mrs.
Stein is a leader in our NFB Illinois affiliate and is the national coordinator
of our Braille Readers are Leaders, BRAL, contest.
Sign Those Kiddos Up
Today! Tis the season for reading. We now have four young readers from the
Centennial state enrolled in BRAL. Blind students should also be practicing for
the National Braille Challenge. Read more about both of these programs in the November 21st Blind Coloradoan.
Someone Reading
This Issue Might Think That All Blind People Do is Read and Run! Not True! We
also cook. December 21 after all the adult students head home for the holidays,
the Colorado Center for the Blind will be hosting a number of blind students
from Denver Public Schools. These students will be in our CCB kitchen working
with our staff to improve their independent cooking skills. Here is hoping for
some Christmas cookies mom.
He Shoots He
Scores! Come Try Blind Hockey at The Pepsi Center! One of our BELL mothers,
Allison Galloway, says: The Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Amateur Hockey
Association invite you to learn to ice skate, try on hockey gear, and try blind
hockey with the Colorado Visionaries blind hockey team. Thursday, January 3 at 12:00-3:00 P.M. at the
Pepsi Center, main entrance. It’s FREE! You will be able to borrow skates and
hockey gear. For more information email Doris
Donley or call
719-231-6603. Click here to sign
up and check out all the fun had at last year’s event!
Did Not See Your
Item in This Issue? Be a contributor! Send announcements, ideas, articles, and
observations to either myself or Dan Burke. Enjoy this blog on NFB Newsline or read it at NFBCO.org. Select Newsletters and Blogs from the menu
on the left. Find The Blind Coloradoan Blog information and link to the blog spot. When it comes to celebrating the holidays we say, “Live the Life You Want.”
“It’s not so much what we have in this life
that matters. It’s what we do with what we have.” -Fred Rogers
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