Dear reader,
Happy New Year! In 2012 I was challenged by the president emeritus of the
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Dianne McGeorge. During a board
meeting, I said, “Why don’t we have a regular newsletter anymore? It can't be
that difficult. “ I should have known better. Mrs. McGeorge said, “your right
Kevan get to it!”
Over the past 12
years, I have tried to create a hybrid between a blog and a magazine. I have
found the undertaking very rewarding and very challenging. The work has truly been
a joy. It’s also been time-consuming and very frankly not within my skill set. “I
ain't no editor.” And I often fall behind. I apologize.
This post marks a
new era for our blog. Rather than trying to create a longer-form newsletter/magazine.
We will now be posting shorter blogs. They will consist of an article and or a brief
announcement or two of importance to members, friends, and supporters. We still
want your news items, pictures, and thoughtful articles. I am hoping that we
can post a new blog at least once or twice a week. Rather than my usual
infrequent, and sometimes out-of-date newsletters. Let us know what you think. We
look forward to reading your comments.
Are you a member
of the National Federation of the Blind, or a blind or low-vision person in and
around Boulder? Start the year off right. Boulder Valley Chapter meets on
Saturday, January 4, at 10 am on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7202842318?pwd=NlJ2NDJIZFk5S2J2MVZHUkVzaklKQT09.
For info contact Maryann Migliorelli, Boulder Valley Chapter president, maryannmigs@gmail.com.
Reflections on
2024 from the Colorado Center for the Blind
By Julie Deden,
Executive Director
From the aggregator:
as you know the Colorado Center for the Blind has been changing lives for a
generation. It is the chief program of the National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado. We hope you will enjoy reading and sharing these reflections on 2024
from the Executive Director, Julie Deden.
Reflections on
2024
I want to take a moment to thank
everyone who supports the work that we do at the Colorado Center for the Blind.
For, without your caring, dedication, and support, we would not have been able
to do so much in the last year.
We again had our most successful
Colorado Gives Day. We continue to be moved and humbled by this generosity that
supports our programs. We believe that blind people can do anything, and we are
thankful that you believe in us.
Here are some highlights I would like
to share with you:
The Taking Charge Program
In April, six women in our Older Blind
program participated in our week-long residential intensive training program.
They stayed at our student apartments and took the bus to the center each day.
They had classes in cooking, technology, woodshop, cane travel, and Braille.
On their last day, they shared their
thoughts:
• Olga
said that she was inspired and is excited to go skiing once more. She also knows now that she can go hiking again.
• Denise
said, “Confidence makes it possible to do anything.” She continues to learn
Braille and knows that she does not need to limit herself because she is
legally blind and has a hearing loss.
• Marcy
loved getting out and traveling with her white cane. She knows she can go
places by herself.
• Rose
had never used a cane before coming to the program. She realized that the cane
was the key to her independence and couldn’t wait to go for walks in her
neighborhood.
• Teri
decided that she needed nine months of training to really gain her
independence. She started in our 9-month Independence Training Program earlier
this fall.
• Kari
was looking forward to kayaking. Learning Braille was a highlight of the week’s
training. She planned to challenge herself in order to do more.
It’s obvious that just one week spent
around our positive blind instructors changes lives. And witnessing the
resilience and determination of Taking Charge students like these six women
continues to inspire us.
Family Retreat
In May, several families who have
blind kids and many of our staff members spent a weekend together in Estes
Park. Parents were given a cane and learning shades and received instruction in
traveling with the cane. Blind kids participated in a wide array of activities
including an archaeological hike and building a fire.
The blind staff were role models not
only to the blind kids, but also to their parents and siblings. They saw us
cooking, cleaning, traveling, and parenting. The parents of blind kids could
see for themselves how blind people can be self-sufficient.
This retreat far surpassed our hopes.
We have scheduled the second annual retreat for May, again in Estes Park, and
are excited to meet with new parents and blind children and renew relationships
with those we already know!
Independence Training Program
In the past two months, several
students have graduated from our program.
• Ciara
has her own apartment in Littleton and a job.
• Heather
knows that she can easily work in the healthcare industry again.
• Marty
will find a job in Georgia and knows that she does not need to depend upon
others.
• Dion
will look for work in Missouri.
• ZjeQuan
plans to attend college and he never thought he could do this before.
• Nina
is completing her GED and will find work.
Each one of these graduates has gained
belief in themselves as a blind person. They know that they can live exciting
lives and that their blindness will not be a barrier for them.
Each New Year is full of
possibilities, and I am looking forward to 2025. We will keep providing
high-quality training that teaches the skills of independence to blind people.
We have new ideas and programs in development and are excited to implement them.
Again, we appreciate all of you and
wish each of you a Happy New Year!
Forward, always forward!
