NFB
GEM STATE MILESTONES
Summer 2011
A Publication of the
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF IDAHO
Dana Ard, Editor
301 Bruce Ave.
Boise, ID 83712
E-mail: danalynard@msn.com
208-345-3906
Elsie Dickerson, President
211 N 70 E
Malad City, ID 83252
E-mail: elsiedickerson@ymail.com
208-766-2266
Available in large print, email, Braille, Newsline
or on our website: www.nfbidaho
Presidents Message
Hello everyone,
First I would like to thank everybody for your vote of confidence. I will work to change what it means to be blind in Idaho. We had a great state convention! We tried some new things and they seemed to work for us. One new issue was discussed, Grace Jacobson, who described in detail the challenges of our warriors coming back from war. Traumatic brain injuries and explosions are causing many of our veterans to return having been blinded.
We have been fostering a new cooperative effort with a non-profit entity called Tranquil Valley Sanctuary. This organization rescues horses that no one wants and uses them in equine therapy for current and past military personnel. An individual will frequently say things to a horse that they will not tell their therapist. In group discussions a horse can represent someone who has abused another. This therapy saves lives and families. Tranquil Valley shares our dilemmas when it comes to fundraising. The organization has agreed to help us with some of our fund raising activities. The use of these horses can bring attention to our organization in parades and other activities.
The Snake River Valley Chapter traveled to Tranquil Valley for an exciting chapter activity! Members were able to ride horses. I was told that Delynn Bateman did not want to get off the horse.
We tried something new with our hospitality room and attendees seemed to enjoy it. Our annual jeopardy will be turned over to our student division next year, at their request. One of the best parts of convention is interacting with people around the state creating long lasting friendships. I would like to thank everyone who helped make the convention a success. We have already started to work on next year’s convention which takes place in Twin Falls, Idaho from April 13 thru 15, 2011 at the Canyon Springs Red lion Hotel. I sincerely hope to see you all there. Until next time, Elsie Dickerson
BBARD: Enjoy a Virtual Library at your Fingertips
By Dana Ard
As a blind person and a Braille reader, I have always wished I could browse the library and take home books I wanted to read. No more being dependent on others to choose for me. Now, with the advent of the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), provided by the National Library Service, this dream has become a reality. Even if you don’t feel like you want to download books from this site, it is a great way to look for titles to order from the Commission on Libraries talking book department.
In order to get started in accessing this wonderful source of books, you need to have a computer with DSL, (dial up Internet will be too slow). Even an older computer, (ours was purchased in 2003), will work. To get started, you will need to call the talking book library and give the librarian your e-mail address. You will receive an e-mail with a temporary password, which you can change. The librarian can also tell you how to get on the site. It is handy to set this site up in your favorites.
When you log in, you can begin by navigating by headings. You can select books by title, author, or subject matter. You can even put in a search term and BARD will find the category that best fits what you have entered. If you are searching for a particular topic, each book will appear as a link. If the title interests you, you can enter the link to get a description of the book. If you want to download it, you can arrow down to the download link. Even if you don’t download, you will have book titles to order from the library.
If you decide to download a title, you either need a cartridge for your digital talking book player or a thumb drive. If you decide on a thumb drive, which is what I have, ask the library for the adaptor which positions your drive parallel to the side of your player, rather than sticking out at a right angle. Before I downloaded my first book, I created a folder which is where the downloaded books are saved. Once I saved the first book in this folder, the computer automatically saves future books there.
There are three stages to getting books from the BARD site to where you can read them on your player. First, the book needs to be downloaded from the download link. Second, the downloaded book needs to be extracted by going to “extract all” off of the context menu. Finally the book needs to ether be copied and pasted to your cartridge or thumb drive or sent to it. There are probably other methods that people use. This way of looking at the download process works well for me.
I hope those readers with a computer will get qualified and look at the BARD site. It is truly a way to have books of your choosing at your fingertips. Please e-mail or call me with your BARD experiences. I will be happy to publish information that may be helpful to others in future issues.
You Are Never Too Old--Zipline Adventure
By Mary Ellen Halverson
I love new experiences, and at my age, I've done a lot of things, at least those that are near where we live and are affordable. So when our students in the ATC (Assessment and Training Center) decided to go to Horseshoe Bend to Zipline Idaho, I knew I had to join them. After all, how many opportunities would I have to zip down a mountain, flying through the trees, while attached to a cable one hundred feet in the air? Before we went, I had no idea what a zipline really was like or how it worked.
So off we went on a beautiful spring day, ready for fun and hopefully some thrills. The staff at Zip Idaho were great, friendly, willing to answer lots of our questions, and seemed happy to show us the ropes, or should I say cables. From Horseshoe Bend, we all got in their vans and drove for about twenty-five minutes up a steep, windy, muddy road to the mountain top. This was the take off point for our first of six ziplines down the mountain. We had very careful instruction on how to put the harnesses on, and the staff double checked each one to be sure it was on correctly. This was very reassuring!
We climbed up about fifteen steps to the first platform for the first line. The staff person attached me to the zipline, and then he expected me to step off into thin air and zip on down! Well I trusted him and the cable, so I went for it! I was zipping along at a fast clip up in the trees, and before I knew it, I was approaching the next platform where a staff guy was waiting. He told me I was close and to lift up my legs so I could land on the tree house type platform. My landing went fine, although not the most graceful landing I'm sure. At that point, I was attached to a new cable, and sent on my way zipping through the air to the next platform. If you curl up in a ball, you can go faster, so of course I had to try it, always keeping one hand on the cable to avoid spinning. It was a good thing the staff person stopped me as I landed on the platform still cruising at a fast speed. Oh, we did have helmets on too.
The last two ziplines were the longest, 1800 feet long, at 100 feet above ground, and their landing strips were on the ground. These were my favorites; we even got to race someone on the last double zipline. I won't say I made a crash landing, but let's just say I did not land on my feet! Also for those last two lines, you could take off running down the hill until there was no ground under you, and then you were soaring through the air at about 35 miles per hour. By then we all had the hang of it, and we were sorry our adventure was over. Everyone had a good time, even those who were reluctant at first.
I have to commend the staff for their very positive attitude about blindness and for their clear and complete instructions. They were eager for us to join the ranks of other enthusiastic veteran zipliners. There is not an age limit, but you must weigh at least 80 pounds. If you would like more information about Zip Idaho, go to www.zipidaho.com.
My Experience as a State Scholarship Winner
By Makenzie Stevens
I was so grateful for the opportunity to be a scholarship winner this year at the state convention. It was such a great experience to meet so many wonderful people and learn more about the NFB of Idaho. It was a privilege to meet with the scholarship committee and participate in the play. I cannot express the surprise and gratitude I felt when my name was announced as the top scholarship winner. Currently I am debating between two career paths which will both require many years of schooling. These are health or law. As I pursue my career goals this scholarship will help me to not worry so much about finances and mainly focus on my education. My favorite part of the convention was the banquet. I really enjoyed talking and getting to know members of our chapter. I have such a long list of people to thank. This was an amazing experience that I will never forget, thanks to all of you!
2011 NFB CONVENTION ATTENDED
By Mohammed Hadeghe
Scholarship Winner
This is Mohammed Hadeghe. “Warm greetings.”
Today, August 25, I celebrated my first year anniversary as a refugee in America with a group of friends. This is the day full of excitement to reach my final destiny, Boise, at least for this temporary life. Another happy day is when I was introduced to the Commission for The Blind in Boise in mid September 2010, and when I met Dana Ard, who became my vocational rehabilitation counselor. The commission became the right place to which I refer for my personal and vocational affairs as a blind refugee in Boise.
There is yet another happy day when I was introduced to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and particularly when I attended the NFB convention at the Owyhee Hotel in April 2011. At the convention, I had the privilege of meeting more people from various places in Idaho, which made me known to many. I enjoyed it very much, and I loved the way it was organized and conducted. It was my first convention in America.
One thing unique about that conference is that it was organized and conducted 90% by people with vision impairment, and this is a sign of how effective and how independent we can be in our performance despite our physical defect. Everybody was helpful in whatever way possible. Example: Those with low vision assisted those who are totally blind, and those familiar with the setting at the hotel helped those who were new.
My roommate was an elderly man from Idaho Falls, and he was so cooperative. He arrived late to the conference, and so he did not get a room to stay. He asked me if he could be my roommate and I accepted his request. The man in his turn became very helpful to me in my mobility in such unfamiliar location throughout the convention using the limited sight he had. I wonder if I was to make it without the man staying with me. Therefore, you can see how important we are to each other and how much help we can offer if we understand we can do.
There is a psychological virus of which the blind and the visually impaired are to be careful. It is called: "CANT" virus. We get this kind of virus when we say, "We can't." The term is described as follows: "Challenges avoid never try. Never ever say, "I can't!”
At the convention, I had the privilege of receiving the NFB 2011 state scholarship, which was again my first scholarship in America. I could not believe I would get such a scholarship only living in Idaho for a few months. I still remember that scholarship whenever I use my Victor Reader. I think this is how we can write unforgettable memories in the hearts of individuals with an ink that cannot be erased.
BRIGHT IDEAS
Get Curvaceous at Curves
By Dana Ard
I have always found trying to work out in a gym frustrating and discouraging. The environment is usually open, noisy and echoic. The machines seem to be organized in a random fashion, and usually require some set up to be used properly. Sometimes I have even had to go to the front desk to find a missing part. For these reasons, I have chosen to do my strength training at home with my free weights. Now, however, I have learned about an exercise option, which sounds fun and promising. Members Ramona Walhof and Delaine Wardell exercise at Curves. I interviewed both of these women to find out what they liked about Curves, how they had benefited by the experience, and why this might be a good exercise option for other blind women. Sorry, guys, Curves is just for us ladies. Both Delaine and Ramona learned about Curves from other blind women who went there. Before going to Curves, Ramona called to find out if the machines had digital displays that would have to be read, and if there would be any set up. When she started, the machines had no displays. They do now, but reading them is not required in order to exercise. There is no set up. The machines, which are hydraulic with no electronics, are set up in a circle. There is a cardiac station, where you can run in place between each machine. A person usually stays on a machine for 30 seconds doing as many reps as she can but staying on the machine for a minute is also an option. An overhead announcement lets participants know when to change machines. Ramona uses her cane to move from one machine to the next, placing it behind the machine while she exercises. This has worked out very well, and no one worries about the cane. At first, a Curves employee observes the new person on the machines to be sure that correct form is used. Both Delaine and Ramona say they have met people that they wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise. One woman now drives for Ramona occasionally.
What are the benefits of this program? Delaine reports that she is able to do physical exercises that she hasn’t been able to do since high school. She has lost weight and inches. Ramona reports better lung capacity and better overall conditioning. Both Delaine and Ramona enjoy the socialization, which makes exercise fun. If you want to know if Curves will work for you, just go visit. If you are not sold on it, and your community has more than one location, try a different one. It’s a great way to get moving.
If you readers have other exercise options that work for you, please call or e-mail me about them. Maybe someone should open a “curves” for guys.
National Convention and Scholarship Opportunities
By Mikaela Stevens
Scholarship Winner
A wonderful National Federation of the Blind Convention was held this year in Orlando. I was honored to be chosen as a scholarship winner. There were 30 of us selected from all over the country. I can’t express enough how grateful I am not only to be the recipient of a scholarship, but also for the opportunity to attend the NFB Convention the third time.
This year was a different experience than the previous years. Each day of the convention week I had a mentor, who are experienced federationists and members of the scholarship committee. I was impressed with the quality people that I was privileged to meet. These contacts will be lifelong friends who are willing to assist me in college and in my future career. Getting to know people was one of my favorite parts about that week.
It was a busy week, filled with memories. As a scholarship winner, I was given the chance to speak at the board meeting. I really enjoyed this and thought it went well. The competition was great because the other winners are truly accomplished, but fortunately I didn't feel like anyone had hard feelings. We got along and I made friends with many of the other scholarship finalists.
Between the many hours of meetings, late nights and early mornings, it was fun to spend time with my friends from Idaho. Thank you for your support and encouragement! Those of you who were unable to be there, I hope you get the chance to experience the national convention if you haven’t yet, and if you have been before I hope you can again.
"Ask for Large Print Menus"
By Al Schneider
My name is Al Schneider, and I am a new member of the Treasure Valley Chapter of NFB Idaho. Because of increasing vision loss, I have recently retired from teaching English at Emmett High School, and have begun training in the Assessment and Training Center at the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI). During a discussion period at my first orientation meeting, I was struck by comments from three different teenagers about how they hate to go to a restaurant and have to have their friends read the menu for them. I thought, “This is my mission!”
Working through the ICBVI, the Lt. Governor's office, Lions' Clubs, and the Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association, we have come up with a simple plan for restaurants: if we get their menu, we will—for absolutely no cost to the restaurant—make large print versions and mail them back along with a sticker showing they have large print and Braille menus. All we need are the menus. Lions' Clubs throughout the state have agreed to be our boots on the ground going individually from restaurant to restaurant asking for their compliance and a menu. In addition, the restaurant supply companies have agreed to just add large print menus whenever establishments order new menus.
But we know that we will still miss many restaurants and some may put this on the back burner and need a reminder. For these reasons, we are also planning Public Service Announcements as well as writing articles for newspapers throughout the State. However, we really want to encourage complete involvement. Will you help spread the word about this worthy cause that is absolutely free to restaurants? Ask for large print menus in your favorite dining places and check to see if our sticker is on the door. If you find an establishment that is not yet involved, encourage them to contact us. You can call ICBVI at 208-334-3220. Probably the easiest place to remember is simply icbvi.idaho.gov. Then click on the link for large print menus.
Thank you for taking the time to help spread the word. For additional information, you can contact me at 208-870-4831 or email me at aaschneider@hotmail.com or you can contact Raelene Thomas at the ICBVI at 208-639-8374 or email at raelene.thomas@icbvi.idaho.gov.
Bike Ride Thank You 2011
By Ramona Walhof
The sun came out to greet the crowd,
The blind are thankful, tired, and proud.
Wonderful cyclists we want you to know
We think you're the best in Idaho!
And volunteers and businesses all;
You're the greatest; We love you all;
Cycle for Independence is done;
We rode, we worked, and it was fun.
All who helped, we thank you so!!
We are the blind of Idaho!
Prizes, music, socks, and lunch;
Hams, lions, and riders are a perfect bunch
Of friends, and neighbors and we're proud to say
You did it! You made this a terrific day!!!
You were part of our success this year!
So thank you! thank you! We wish you good cheer
Cordially,
Ramona Walhof Chair
Cycle for Independence
NFB Treasure Valley Chapter
MINIGEMS
By Ramona Walhof
Election: At the State Convention last April there were some changes on the NFBI Board of Directors. Below is the list of our current elected leaders: President, Elsie Dickerson; First Vice President, Wanda Jolley; Second Vice President, Vickie Bateman; Secretary, Dana Ard; Treasurer, Harry Gawith; Board Members serving until 2013: Mary Ellen Halverson, Gus Tropea, and Ramona Walhof; Board Members serving until 2012: Russell Smith, Larry Dickerson, and Jona Jacobson.
State Scholarship Winners: Two outstanding students were selected by our Scholarship Committee to win awards for use toward their college expenses. Makenzie Stevens of Eagle graduated from Eagle High and will be a freshman next year at BYU Idaho. She received $750 toward her college expenses. Mohammed Hadeghe, who recently immigrated to this country, received $500 toward his expenses at Boise State University. Both of these young people deserve our highest congratulations!
National Scholarship: Mikaela Stevens, who is completing her sophomore year studying communications at BYU Idaho, received a $5000 scholarship at our National Convention in Orlando FL. In addition, she received an expense-paid trip to the entire convention where she was mentored by NFB leaders and participated in as many activities as possible throughout the Convention. She was expected to make two brief presentations to large gatherings of conventioneers and performed admirably. Her award was one of the eight highest of the 30 scholarships presented. We are all very proud of you, Mikaela.
Jernigan Fund Scholarships: Eve Sanchez of Idaho Falls and Jona Jacobson of Pocatello were selected as Jernigan fund scholarship winners enabling them to attend their first National NFB Convention this year. We also congratulate each of these women and trust that the convention experience was as meaningful for them as it could possibly be.
Pageant: Makenzie Stevens was chosen as Miss Southern Idaho at a pageant last spring. In this capacity she made numerous public appearances, including one at the Cycle for Independence May 21. Therefore, she was a finalist for the Miss Idaho pageant which occurred in June. She competed against 21 other young women at the Idaho Center in Nampa. We understand that she was admired and complimented by many who attended.
Cycle for Independence: Approximately 475 riders participated in the Cycle for Independence May 21, which was a beautiful day this year. More than 50 volunteers, (members and others), helped to make the bike ride a huge success. Prizes, Goody bags, free bike socks, music, and lunch for all added to the party in the sun.
Summer Picnics: The Senior Division held a potluck picnic in Twin Falls at Rock Creek Park August 6. Members from Boise, Blackfoot, Malad, and Pocatello, were pleased to have the opportunity to meet ten or more of our newest members from our newest chapter in central Idaho.
The Treasure Valley Chapter held a pot luck dinner and swim party at Ramona Wahof’s back yard July 23 and invited students and staff from the Summer Work Experience Program managed by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI). Fourteen teenagers brought a lot of energy to the pool and the dinner. We asked them to tell us their goals, which were very impressive.
Snake River Valley Chapter: July 22, 13 members and family members went to Tranquil Valley Sanctuary near Malad for horseback riding. Then they returned to Shelley for a chapter picnic and bingo party at the Batemans' home. About 32 people gathered for the picnic and bingo. Several people won bingo and door prizes. October 8 will be a busy day for this chapter. Customers at Barnes and Noble will be able to ask that a small percentage of their purchases be donated to the Snake River Valley Chapter, and NFBI members will be reading Braille stories for story time in the store, and others will be passing out information about the organization. On the same day they will have a table at the farmers market in Idaho Falls to pass out information and sell items.
National Convention: Seventeen Idahoans traveled to Orlando for the 71st Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. The first three days of this annual gathering include meetings of 30 special interest divisions, the largest display of technology for the blind anywhere in the country or the world, seminars, committee meetings and much more. The last three days include general sessions, awards, and the banquet. Even with 17 people in attendance, it was not possible to cover as much of this exciting, work-packed week long event as we would have liked. Our representatives did the best they could and brought back a great deal of valuable new discoveries and experience.
Retirements: After 34 years as a counselor for the ICBVI, Mike Blackaller retired this August. Beth Peterson will fill in for two months. In October Jeff Weeks will relocate from Lewiston to Boise to handle the caseload in Southwest Idaho outside Boise. In April Norma Turnbaugh retired as rehab counselor in Eastern Idaho after 30 years. Matthew Queen is the new counselor based in Pocatello.
New Baby: Krista Rose is the fourth daughter of Mat and Lori Halverson and granddaughter of Mary Ellen and Ray Halverson. She was born March 27, 2011, and is a lucky baby to find herself in this family!
Former NFBI members die: Former President of the NFBI, Larry Streeter, died suddenly of a heart attack last April. He was living and working in Indianapolis. His wife Sandy is working to establish a scholarship for a blind college student in Larry's honor. Anyone who would like to contribute can make a donation at their local Chase Bank under the account name “In Memory of Larry Streeter”.
Long-time member of the NFBI and past President of the Idaho Falls Chapter, Whitney Johnson, died recently and here is his obituary. Whitney Owen Johnson, 91, of Groveland, passed away Monday, June 6, 2011; at Bingham Memorial Hospital of old age. He was born November 6, 1919, in the farming community of Groveland. His parents, Michael Johnson Jr. and Elsie Mae Paskett Johnson purchased an 80-acre dairy farm in Groveland, where he would live and work for half his life. They also raised apples on the dairy farm. The Johnson’s raised potatoes, beets, hay and snakes on a second farm at the end of Bond Road near the lavas. Whitney's education included eight grades in Groveland, graduating from Blackfoot High School in 1937, a year of college in Logan, Utah, and photography school in Salt Lake City. As a young man, his passions were dancing and horses. As a middle-aged man his loves were Western novels and horses. As he aged, he loved making Americana crafts on a table saw and wood lathe. Whitney lived life with a sense of humor. During World War II, Retnitus Pigmentosa kept him from enlisting in the military. His service to the war effort was growing food for the troops and the country. For a few months, he worked in a factory in Inglewood, California, building B-52 Bombers. On May 12, 1944, he married Donna Jane Lott, "the prettiest girl in Groveland," in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had three daughters. At the age of 59, the Idaho Commission for the Blind offered him the Atomic Energy Commission Snack Bar located in Idaho Falls. For 20 years, Whitney provided sandwiches, beverages, snacks and kind words to the government workers. As an activist for the visually impaired, he spent many years serving in regional and local offices for the National Federation of the Blind. Whitney was a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his youth, he served a Stake Mission. He served for decades as a home teacher. He considers his family to be his greatest accomplishment and blessing.
Parents Seminar: September 30 and October 1 will be a very big time for blind children and their parents. Hosted by the ICBVI, the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind and the National Federation of the Blind, the Seminar for Parents of blind and visually impaired children will feature three experts on education of the blind and parenting: from Washington State, Montana, and Maryland. Blind children from birth to high school seniors and their siblings will be divided into three age groups and participate in a variety of activities designed especially for them while their parents learn and share as much as they can squeeze into these two busy days
If you are aware of news that other blind people would like to know, please send it for the next issue of the Minigems to Ramona Walhof, 3402 W. Kipling Road, Boise, 83706 or email it to ramonawalhof@gmail.com.
From the Top of the Hill
Happy birthday President Dana
We all know you're at the top of the hill, and that standing there is quite a thrill.
And that life flies by like a little pixie, when you're on the verge of turning sixty!
Now we still love you, we don't care,
We don't mind wrinkles or gray hair.
Life is great going down that hill, with good old friends, books to read,
and little Miss Vergie there to feed.
Happy days when you retire, a ways in the future, and you'll still be in choir.
Dreams of chocolate and Cheetos too,
will dance in your head the whole night through!
As those golden years give you joy, you'll learn to eat more fiber and soy.
So don't despair Dana Du, you're getting older, but we are too!
Thanks for all your chapter work, your dedication to all of us And to the NFB,
We plan to reelect you till your 83!
Hope you've enjoyed this little rhyme, and may your future years be most sublime!
Presented with love, Treasure Valley Chapter
Editor’s Note
By Dana Ard
I am looking for someone who would like to write a technology column for this publication. Guest writers would be welcome, but I want someone to coordinate the column. Presently, Gem State Milestones is produced twice per year. If you are interested in this assignment, please contact me by phone or e-mail at danalynard@q.com or (208) 345-3906.
THE END
