February Blind Coloradan

 

 

Blind Coloradoan Blog

February 7, 2022

Writer, Aggregator: Kevan Worley.
Contributors: Dan Burke & Erin Daley

Here is what you need to know-

Greetings colleagues and friends, as we put this issue to bed, we are running out the door, NFBCO first VP Scott LaBarre, Anahit LaBarre, director of our CCB youth services programs, and I, your lowly aggregator are heading to Visions of Love. This Valentine’s Day wine tasting event is held at the Anchor Center for Blind Children. It is one of their important annual events showcasing the work they do for our preschool children and families. It is work they do from the heart. We in the National Federation of The Blind of Colorado are happy to support this Valentine’s Day themed event. https://anchorcenter.org/visionsoflove2022/ But wait! There’s more! In this issue, you will read about blind kiddos dancing. Find a link to a memorable banquet address that truly makes our history come alive! Read about the next Wild West chapter adventure. How about an iPhone that is even more accessible? And a way to access at-home COVID tests because of the work we all do in The National Federation of The Blind. There is so much happening. We will need to have two issues in February.  Happy Valentine’s Day! And don’t forget to search for the contest below.

 

This is Washington seminar week!

If you would like to join our meetings with members of congress and or their legislative aids? Please be in touch. For those of you not familiar with the 2022 legislative priorities of blind Americans please check out the fact sheets here. https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washington-seminar-priorities/legislative-agenda

 

 

BRING ON THE WEATHER

Learning Box Activity

For Part Two of our Learning Box on weather, Channel 7’s Mike Nelson will join us on President’s Day, Monday February 21.

We’d love to have you join us as we learn about the job of a meteorologist and the weather from Mike Nelson, Chief meteorologist with Channel 7 News! Mike will share his experiences with the science and surprises of meteorology. Students will learn what it takes to be a meteorologist on television. Climate change may also be a topic of discussion.

When: Monday, February 21, 2022 (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

Where: A Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Register your child for “Seasons Around the World“ by February 18.

https://cocenter.org/learning-box/

This educational activity is developed and presented by The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, the Colorado Center for the Blind, and the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults. It is free of charge for all participants, but if you would like to donate, please visit our donation page. if you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Anahit LaBarre at alabarre@cocenter.org

Michelle Chacon  blindedcolo@gmail.com

 

Take Your At-Home COVID-19 Test with Aira, Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind:

The National Federation of the Blind is committed to providing at-home COVID testing solutions and holding the government accountable for making these tests accessible. As part of that commitment, we are sponsoring the use of Aira for any blind person in the United States taking an at-home COVID-19 test. If you are not already an Aira Explorer, you can set up a free account and then use the visual interpreter service to complete COVID-19 at-home tests. As part of the promotion, you will be asked a few questions that will help provide important data for our at-home test accessibility efforts. For more information on this promotion and our overall at-home testing efforts, visit http://nfb.org/covidtests We will continue to update this page so check back often.

Bust a move at the big Valentine's dance!

A 1 and a 2 and a do-si-do.

From the aggregator:  We received information about the next big activity for blind children and their parents at the Colorado Center for The Blind from Anahit LaBarre. Anahit is the director of youth services at our center. Oftentimes blind children are limited from their participation in social activities such as dances. Low expectations keep blind children from learning social skills, engagement with their peers, and activities such as dance. Blind children want to grow up to participate in all aspects of society. Socializing and dating often means participating at a jr high dance, prom, wedding reception, or sorority ball. “If you stumble? Make it part of the dance” “Dancing with the feet is one thing. Dancing with the heart is another” “You can start late. Look different. Be uncertain and still succeed.”  “And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance” “Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too.” And besides, it's healthy and fun! As Anahit points out there will also be opportunities for parents to learn the basics of orientation and mobility. So, let's dance! Here are the details from Anahit.

Learn the Moves at Our Valentine’s Dance!

On FAST Saturday, February 12 from 1-3 pm. Activities for kiddos and parents including snacks for all will take place at The Colorado Center for The Blind, a world-class facility at 2233 W Sheppard Ave, Littleton Colorado. 

Ellie White is passionate about dancing, and we’re excited to welcome her and our wonderful yoga instructor at CCB, Julie Hill to lead our Valentine’s Dance Party! Ellie won a scholarship from the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado in 2021 and appeared on America’s Got Talent with her dance troupe, Silhouettes, when she was nine. She’s also a CCB graduate! Ellie and Julie have cued up some great dance music for the Valentine’s Dance Party. They are ready to teach students all kinds of dance moves. We will also decorate heart-shaped sugar cookies to celebrate Valentine’s Day!

The importance of our history

From the aggregator: As readers of this blog know we are always excited to post articles and observations from our blind history lady, Peggy Chong. Our civil rights movement has an exciting history. I am reminded of a banquet address given by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan at our 1974 national convention in New York City. I highly recommend it. His words provide a vivid historical context for the need to have an assertive civil rights movement. Listen to this address. You can almost feel the history.  https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/nfb/audio/banqspeech/bsp-1973.mp3   In modern times our, “PHD, preservation of historical documents project” is bringing our history to life. There are numerous ways individuals and chapters can contribute. It cost money to do the research. So, donations are welcome and appreciated. What else can we do? Here is what Peggy Chong has to say.

The Preservation of Historical Documents, PHD project is progressing nicely.  We are nearing the end of the transcription of the old files.  We are looking for a librarian to help us prepare our history in an easily searchable system.  You have a chance to contribute to our history.  If you have minutes, news articles, stories of chapter events or other information relating to the blind of Colorado, please get in touch with me, Peggy Chong at chongpeggy10@gmail.com or 303-745-0473 so we can include your stories or artifacts into hour history.

WILD WEST GOLF CLASSIC

Let's hit the links!

From the aggregator: We saw this exciting post from Nate Hecker on our Colorado Talk list. Nate is a blind entrepreneur and leader in our Wild West chapter. The Wild West Chapter is one of our most active, growing, and innovative. We think you will want to add this event to your calendar of federation activities. We believe it will be one of our most anticipated events of the year. On a par with national convention, Washington seminar, state convention, and our NFBCO 6dot dash 5k. Please spread the word throughout our organization and beyond! As a leading golfer once said, “Mistakes are part of the game it is how well you recover from them that’s the mark of a great player.” Tell us who said that and win a $50 gift card. Sounds like it could have been a quote directly from a Colorado Center for The Blind instructor. But, back to Nate's exciting announcement.

Ever been golfing? Well now you can, with the new hottest fundraising event coming up this fall! Start saving your money, grab your mulligans, bring plenty of friends, and meet us on the course at Raccoon Creek Golf Course 7301 W Bowles Ave Littleton, CO 80123 August 22 at 8 am for our golf classic fundraiser! Registration: 8:00 AM Shotgun Start: 9:00 AM. Look below for more information. Please share far and wide!

What to expect?

FORMAT: 4-person team scramble - Singles without teams are welcome to enter and will be grouped into a team.

PRIZES: Prizes for 1st and 2nd place foursomes

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Tournament Pricing (includes Golf, driving range, prizes, lunch, and FUN!!):

$300 per player

$1000 per Foursome

For all the information you need, hit the link: http://www.eventstlc.com/wildwestgolfclassic

Nick Isenberg keeps reporting the news. Doesn’t let age or blindness hold him back.

By: Kevan Worley       

I first met Nick Isenburg at our first NFBCO 6dot dash. He was there, microphone in hand, looking for interviews to put on his radio program, The Tactile Traveler.

Isenburg, born premature in 1942 in New York state grew up with limited vision in one eye and no vision in the other, he says. Throughout most of his life, he worked as a radio and newspaper reporter. A little over 10 years ago Nick lost the remainder of his sight. But age or blindness has not stopped him. He developed a new radio program, The Tactile Traveler. The program airs each week on KDNK community Access radio in Carbondale, it’s also broadcast on the radio station in Parachute Colorado. KDNK makes it available to any stations in the community access radio network in several states Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. It's also available on the usual podcast platforms.

Nick’s very first episode of The Tactile Traveler was given an Edward R. Morrow digital news directors association award for the best small-market podcast for Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. The program is an interesting blend of travel log, how-to, and personal profiles. Nick has the persistence and inquisitive nature of a reporter. He has won numerous awards for his work. He says his goals are to increase listenership among blind and sighted people. He wants to mentor blind people who would like to learn how to be radio reporters. Nick is a progressive activist. You will often find him at meetings of people and organizations working to increase transportation and employment for people with disabilities. Nick Isenburg, a blind man, always breaking new ground, advocating for others, and truly living the life he wants. You can reach Nick at 970-945-8936.

February Braille Monitor Available:

The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship publication is now available. Read about raising expectations every day, our Code of Conduct, determination to achieve excellence, history of the KNFB Reader, a call for change, and many stories from members. Access the Braille Monitor now. https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2202/bm2202tc.htm

Civil Rights Museum Planning:

The National Federation of the Blind has begun the initial planning of a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the civil rights struggle of blind Americans, including the history of our organization as the leader in the blind civil rights movement. Our museum will highlight the struggles, triumphs, and challenges blind people have experienced and the contributions we have made as we continue to secure our place in the world as fully participating citizens.

You can help with the planning of our museum by completing our online or telephone survey. The online survey can be accessed by from our website https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1byRFNrP1741YzcukC0pcG3s4_1ufxpRuPTGXAM_q-JE/viewform?edit_requested=true, or by calling 229-632-7878 or toll-free 833-632-7878. The survey closes on February 11, so please provide us your thoughts and suggestions as soon as possible.

Calling all iPhone nonvisual users

From the aggregator: Got that? Calling all iPhone nonvisual users. This has got to be a piece of information from one of our tech gurus, the honorable Curtis Chong. It's also a great item to share at your upcoming chapter meeting. Thanks to Curtis for bringing this to our attention.

The BlindShell Classic 2 is a cell phone made especially for nonvisual users. It has real buttons, everything talks, and you can even enter voice commands and dictate texts. In terms of sophistication and function, it sits somewhere between a plain old flip cell phone and a smartphone (e.g., iPhone). If you have been longing to get a phone with real buttons that works for someone who is blind, you should at least listen to the YouTube recording from Vision Australia before making a final decision. In the United States, the Blindshell Classic 2 is sold by our friends at A.T. Guys. Here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpzhNypaQpk

The Back Story Behind Minutes

 

When I read our old minutes from the United Workers for the Blind, I marvel at how much more detail they include than minutes of today.  However, I still feel that each set of our old minutes hides.

Below are the December 8, 1937 minutes referencing George B. Fisher’s case.  Actually, the whole set of minutes are fascinating as to the many topics included in the meeting that are an article in-and-of themselves.  Please read the entire minutes. 

Earlier minutes gave a few clues to Mr. Fisher’s identity.  I found it interesting that in none of the minutes was Mr. Fisher listed as a member.  He was a businessman and professor. The depression hi many hard and in his case he requested blind benefits more than once in the 30’s.  I wondered why did not recruit him.  First, here are the minutes from 1937.  (Note, no changes have been made in the spelling or punctuation from the original documents.) 

 

[Handwritten Minutes of the United Workers for the Blind]

The regular monthly board of directors meeting was held Wed. Dec 8- 1937, at 312 – 17^th St.  Meeting called to order at 3 P.M. with Pres. Wilcox presiding.  The first order of business was the roll call.  The following board members were present, namely Pres. Wilcox, Chas. E. Hine, Daniel L. Rattek, Dr. Chas. F. Shollenberger, Lewis D. Stockton and R. W. Rathborne. Cloud H. Bryan was absent being called out of town to the sick bed of his mother.  Pres. Wilcox excused Mr. Bryan for his absence.  The next order of business was the reading of the minutes for Nov. 10- 37, there being no alterations or corrections, it was regular moved by Mr. Rathborne and seconded by Daniel Rattek, that the minutes be approved as read, motion carried.  The next order of business was the reading of the financial report by Sec. Young, which showed a balance on hand Dec. 1- 1937 of $219.53.  There being no alternations or corrections, it was regular moved by Dr. Shollenberger, that the report be accepted as read, motion carried.  Next order of business was under head of Communications, first one to be read by the Sec. was from the state Commission for the Blind, 353 Capital Bldg., Denver, under date of Nov. 23- 37, over the signature of Kathryn C. Barkhausen, executive Sec., the communication having been received in this office Nov. 27- 37.  The communication stated that the Adult Blind Home, and State Commission for the Blind, had joined in there efforts to conduct a sale, of articles made by the Blind of Colorado the week of Nov. 29- 37 at 1621 Stout St.  The communication ask us our support in this matter.  After discussion the contents pro and con, it was regularly moved by Mr. Stockton and seconded by Dr. Shollenberger, that the communication be placed on file without comment, motion carried.  The next communication to be read, was from George B. Fisher, manufactor of Fisher Food remedies, was over the signature of Geo. B. Fisher, Box 20 – Highland Station Denver, Colo., under date of Nov. 27- 1937, received in this office Nov. 29- 37.  The contents was in form of thanking you, Pres. Wilcox, for sending Mr. Walter Burns to him.  He stated that he went into action right away and was glad to report that Judge White had promised to reopen his case and give it his most careful attention.  Pres. Wilcox stated that he had placed Mr. Fisher’s case before the Blind Commission several years ago, but had been turned down at that time.  The Pres. Stated he was glad the case was to be reopened.  Dr. Fisher stated he would keep us informed from time to time of the progress made.  No action was taken on said communication.  Said communication was ordered placed on file.  A letter was then read by Sec. Young, written by Pres. Wilcox, in answer to letter written by Mrs. Henry M. Bindt, of 2545 Hillcrest Ave, Berkley Calif.  The Pres. giving a brief outline of United Workers For the Blind of Colo., which he organized 25 years ago.  A copy of the letter was ordered placed on file.  The next order of business was under the head of verbal reports, Mr. Rathborne reported, that Mary Bushinger 314 – Commonwealth Bldg. was a teacher of Braille.  Mr. Rathborne also reported, that Mr. Bittman has called at the Colo. General hospital and received glasses.  The Pres. then called on Mr. Stockton, to report on what he had found out on vending stands in Government Bldgs. Mr. Stockton reported, that it required $500.00 dollars, to equip a stand in the Custom House, the stand to be the property of the Government, the government paying the party, putting up the $500.00.  3 ½ % on all money taken in, the equipment becoming Government property, persons conducting said stands must be blind.  The stands could be turned over from one person to another the Government paying 3 ½ %.  The matter was discussed by the board to be reported on at a later date.  There being no further business, the Pres. announced that the arrangement for the Xmas entertainment and Xmas party to be held Sat. Dec. 18- 1937 at 8 P. M. was well in hand, and a real entertainment and party was insured.  The Pres. announced that the next business session to be held immediately after the entertainment.  Sec. Young announced he secured several prizes to be given at the party.  The Pres. then announced the next board meeting to be held Jan. 1- 1938 – the time to be determined by the board.  It was regularly moved by Dr. Shollenberger and seconded by Mr. Stockton, that the meeting be held at 10.30 A.M . Sat. morning Jan. 1- 1938 at 312 – 17^th St.  The Pres. announced the Jan. entertainment to be held Sat. Jan. 9- 38 at 8 P. M. in the Wight Bldg. after a short discussion by the board members, meeting adjourned at 4.16 P. M.

Respectfully submitted by

Chas. B. Young (Sect)

 

Now the back story.  It seems that George Fisher was not a solid citizen.  Here is part of an article from a medical journal from 1936. 

Fisheropathic College Association.-This was a name applied to a mailorder quack concern having for its president and treasurer George B. Fisher, for its vice-president Richard B. Fisher, son of George B., and for its secretary Anna L. Fisher, sister of George B. In 1911 Denver newspapers reported that George B. Fisher had been found guilty in the federal courts of sending obscene matter through the mails to the "wives of two prominent Denver business men." It was reported at the time that the judge before whom Fisher was tried gave the quack a scathing arraignment, stating that "a man who was guilty of the practices of which Fisher had been convicted was of the lowest species of humanity and not fit to mingle with decent and respectable people." Papiers at the same time reported that prior to this conviction Fisher had been charged with defrauding an aged and infirm woman out of $15,000 in notes and securities. A suit against him in the District Court, according to the same report, resulted in these notes and securities being restored to the woman. In 1923 the Department of Agriculture declared Fisher's nostrums ("Uterine Tonic" and "Kidney Food") misbranded under the National Food and Drugs Act. The federal authorities declared the Uterine Tonic misbranded because it was fraudulently represented as an effective cure for "lack of passion.'' absence of menstrual flow, cancer of the uterus, gonorrhea and various other conditions. George B. Fisher claimed to be the "only diagnostician in the world making a chemical and psychological diagnosis." A young woman, unmarried but pregnant, got in touch with Fisher 88 MAIL-ORDER CONCERNS some years ago and Fisher diagnosed her case as one of uinfantile womb, malnutrition, catarrh of stomach, and retroversion." He said that the ubloating" was due to the conditions mentioned and added that the case usuggests a dropsical inclination." He urged her to "lose no time in ordering the $10 Fisheropathic Home Special." The Fisher group put out a number of preparations. "Pugilitis Pendicitis" was mainly epsom salt with a small amount of baking soda, some citric acid and table salt dissolved in fruit juices flavored with extract of peppermint. The experts for the government testified that this laxative, if given in some cases of acute attacks of appendicitis, would be about as dangerous as could be· conceived. "Digestive Gems" were composed of senna, red pepper, table salt, powdered charcoal, glycerin and oil of peppermint. "Columbine Massage Cream," it was claimed, would develop the bust, remove wrinkles and freckles, cure eczema, ringworm, prickly heat and shingles, while if taken internally it would cure pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough and asthma I The federal chemists found that the stuff was made of mineral oil, white wax and paraffin. Fisher's "Sanitary Suppositories" were said to require neither douche nor enema and could be used by men, women and children. They were recommended for rectal or vaginal cancer, blood poisoning, fistulas, inflammation of the colon, prostate and bladder and for various other conditions. The composition of this therapeutic wonder was found by the federal chemists to be our old friend epsom salt put up in gelatin capsules. The "Dyscrasia Remedy" was said to contain echinacea. The "Gastric Assimilator'' was an alcohol-water solution of sugar, fruit juices, citric acid and oil of peppermint. Fisher's "Uterine Tonic Knowledge," advertised as a "scientific oxygenator and tissue builder," was composed of ammonium iodide, a carbonate, glycerin, formaldehyde and spirits of cloves. This was offered as a "perfect deodorant in blood poisoning" and for uterine cancer. On September 26, 1933, the mails were closed to this fraud.-(Condensed from The Journal A. M.A., Oct. 28, 1933.)

Well, I guess that might be why.  We are truly a cross-section of society.

Peggy Chong