By Tom Scanlan

Every October the National Federation of the Blind conducts a nationwide series of events and informational activities to increase public understanding of blindness and the true capability of blind people. In Minnesota, we obtained government proclamations from the state and several cities. Here is the state proclamation.

STATE of MINNESOTA

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was founded in 1940 to serve as the voice of the nation's blind, to end discrimination against the blind, and to secure first-class citizenship for all blind persons; and

WHEREAS: The National Federation of the Blind represents more than 50,000 members across the country and continues to work to secure equal rights and opportunities for the blind; and

WHEREAS: The National Federation of the Blind seeks to change attitudes about blindness by providing information to parents, teachers, school administrators, and business, political, social, and civic leaders; and

WHEREAS: The National Federation of the Blind has developed a public education campaign, “Meet the Blind Month,” to address misunderstandings about blindness and to create opportunities for the people of Minnesota to learn firsthand that blind people are basically like everyone else; and

WHEREAS: The Minnesota affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, now in its 90th year, invites neighbors, coworkers, and classmates to participate in various Meet the Blind events throughout the month of October to learn how blind people lead full and active lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2010 to be:

MEET THE BLIND MONTH

in the State of Minnesota.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at State Capitol this 28th day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten, and of the State the one hundred fifty-second.

Signed:

Tim Pawlenty

GOVERNOR

Mark Ritchie

SECRETARY OF STATE

To give a more personal and first-hand experience of the lives and capabilities of blind people, Sheila Koenig maintained a series of profiles on our Facebook page. Here are the profiles from the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota Facebook page.

Jan Bailey

In college, I worked in a dark room splicing movie film. After college, I worked in a nursing home as a social worker for five years, and then came back to Minnesota where I got a job at Minnesota State Services for the Blind and worked as a counselor for 31 years. Now I have started my own business, and work as a rehabilitation teacher, teaching braille, daily living skills to people who are newly blind, and classes for seniors.

I love to cook, bake, read, play cards and scrabble, and travel.

I can do a lot more to change the lives of blind people by being a member of the National Federation of the Blind than I could ever do by myself.

I own a condominium, enjoy entertaining and do a lot of volunteer work for my church. I had six brothers and two sisters, and wanted to do everything they did.

Jennifer Dunnam

I work on a contract with the Library of Congress, administering nationwide courses leading to certification for braille transcribers and proofreaders (and flying frequently throughout the country). Volunteer activism takes much of my time, but I also enjoy brisk walks, swimming, books, technology, music, etc. The NFB taught me that independence is more than just being able to do things for myself. It's also the expectation that we who are blind will do meaningful things for others and do our part to leave the world better than we found it.

Steve Jacobson

After completing a major in mathematics, I have been working as a computer programmer and analyst at several levels for over 30 years. Computers and technology are very much a part of my hobby, too. I particularly enjoy how one can process and edit sound on computers. Collecting and listening to old historical recordings is also something I enjoy greatly. Music has also been an important part of my life, listening to favorite artists and occasionally playing an electronic keyboard.

The National Federation of the blind has been important to me in several ways. While I joined the NFB because its philosophy seemed closest to my own, I soon found that the NFB also stretched me to do more as a blind person than I would otherwise have done. Our annual conventions give me a chance to meet other blind persons who are doing what I do, but finding ways of doing it better. I learn a great deal from other members of the NFB while working through the NFB to open up new opportunities for all of us.

While blindness certainly affects how I do things, I am fortunate to have been able to work, own a house, and help raise two kids. This is not unusual for blind people I have come to learn, but it also shows how much of my life is no different from that of those with normal vision. Blindness has an effect upon my life but it does not control it.

Sheila Koenig

I have taught 9th grade English at South View Middle School in Edina, Minnesota for over ten years. In addition to English, I have taught Spanish, Media Literacy, and an exploratory on auto insurance! For fun, I enjoy reading, shopping, cooking, exercising, and watching movies. One of my annual highlights is hosting an Academy Awards party.

The National Federation of the Blind has shown me that blindness is not synonymous with incompetence and inadequacy. Blind people can use alternative techniques to navigate the same paths as sighted people, and we can be productive, contributing members of society.

Michele Denise Michaels

I am a singer and performer who has worked abroad and in the US. I earned two degrees, one in vocal performance and the other in music business. Although I don’t have much leisure time, I like to spend the leisure time I do have cleaning and traveling. (I just don’t like packing.)

NFB allows me to connect and interact with the independent blind community. The training I received at Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Incorporated enabled me to return to college and succeed. Now, I work as a freelance performer and am able to work in many performance settings that were out of reach before due to my lack of blindness training. NFB taught me that it is respectable to be blind and that’s how I live my life.

I enjoy books, talks, classes and conferences on Catholic studies. I’m fascinated by the stories of others and enjoy meeting new people. I have hiked in the Swiss Alps, biked in Holland and worked as a background singer/dancer in a disco band (although I can’t believe I’m admitting that last one on Facebook). I have directed gospel choirs, performed in opera and theater productions and toured internationally.

All of these experiences have helped me launch my solo artist career. Currently, I am working on three projects: a full-length CD, a self-published book (titled “Are You Really Blind?”) and a touring music show.

Tom Scanlan

I was employed for more than 37 years in progressive positions beginning as a research analyst, then computer programmer, and ending as a computer-support manager. As a manager, I was responsible for a computer equipment and personnel budget of $5 million.

Now retired, I enjoy reading history and business nonfiction and watching TV and movie dramas. The NFB showed me that blind people were just as capable as sighted people were, and it built my self-confidence. I am just like anyone else — husband, homeowner, professional, traveler, and investor.

Amanda Swanson

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology. I work at the Nature Conservancy, where I implement my dream of helping the environment. In the future, I plan to attend graduate school.

I enjoy traveling, attending heavy metal concerts, working out at the gym, and watching baseball (both live and on TV). The NFB is important because it provides a positive network of people to talk to about blindness related issues, such as educating the public about blindness. My blindness is not who I am — I have a job, friends, family, and a variety of interests.

Emily Zitek

For 10 years, I worked at an adjustment-to-blindness training center. I started as a receptionist and then became the braille translator and life skills teacher. Teaching blind people was my way of passing on the freedom I acquired from the NFB. Now I am a sole proprietor who has a convenience store and 20 vending machines in a State of Minnesota building.

I enjoy cooking Southern dishes (I grew up in Louisiana), baking, exercising, going to ball games, entertaining and doing other things out in the community to educate the public about the true meaning of blindness.

The NFB has created a light at the end of a long and dark tunnel for me. Before the NFB, I envisioned my entire life of living in my small hometown in Southwestern Louisiana where I would have to rely on my family to help me with everything. Now, because of the NFB, I have the skills and confidence to live a successful life across the country from my family.

I own both a home and a business. In both situations, I have to make all the decisions about what happens. I no longer feel like I have to leave things in the hands of my family. In fact, I don’t even need to ask my husband about things that are my decision.

Shawn Mayo

I grew up in Bellville, Illinois and became blind from leukemia during my senior year of high school. After earning a BS in Psychology at Bradley University and winning appeals for the Illinois Department of Vocational Services to fund out-of-state blindness training, I became a student at Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Incorporated. I completed the comprehensive program and went on to earn my master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Southwest Missouri State University.

Through my training at BLIND, Inc., I had learned first hand how much more comfortable and efficient blind people could become when they learned the alternative techniques and developed a positive attitude toward blindness. I wanted to continue making this opportunity available for other blind people to discover this as well, so when I was offered the position of Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach, I felt it would be an excellent opportunity to do just that.

When Joyce Scanlan, BLIND's founding Executive Director, announced her retirement in 2003, the Board of Directors selected me to fill this position, and I have found it both challenging and rewarding and have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with such a talented and hard-working staff.

I have also worked as a baseball card dealer, a veterinary assistant, researcher and statistician, and counselor. I volunteer my time to organizations for cancer, diabetes, and the National Federation of the Blind. I have served as president of the National Association of Blind Students and president of the National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals. Outside of work, my interests include horses, theater, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Al Spooner

I am a North Dakota native, and lived in Idaho 18 years prior to moving to Minneapolis in August of 2002. Over most of the past 25 years my career dealt with computer sales and training. I have worked for two major retail corporations as a salesperson and manager. My career ended abruptly in February of 1999 when I became blind. Since that time, I completed my blindness training as well as an A.S. Degree in Communications.

From August 2002 to December 2005, I worked for Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Incorporated as the computer and technology instructor. In January of 2006, I became the Assistant Director for Marketing and Outreach enabling me to spend more time spreading the word about effective blindness training that produces confident, independent, and successful blind individuals.

I have a number of hobbies and interests, such as fishing, downhill skiing, playing guitar, traveling, reading, listening to Rock and Roll music, and of course, computers. I have also been actively involved with the National Federation of the Blind, helping organize a chapter in my home community while in Idaho and serving as its president, serving as second vice-president for the NFB of Idaho, and serving as the treasurer of the Idaho Association of Blind Students.

Rob Hobson

I was born and raised in Illinois, and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a bachelor’s degree in political Science and pre-law. I later graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind and then went on to earn a master’s degree in educational Psychology with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility at Louisiana Tech, and received a NOMC certification. Now I reside in Minneapolis working at Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND) teaching cane travel. I love to get out and experience all of the fun activities that the city has to offer. Some of my hobbies include swimming, running, and bike riding.

George Wurtzel

I am a Michigan native, born in Saginaw in 1954. I started my own business, Wurtzel Woodworking, in 1974 while in college. This architectural and millwork shop did both commercial and residential fine woodworking in Traverse City Michigan.

In 1979, Kathy Emig and I organized the national Ski for Light cross-country event in Traverse City Michigan, and were instrumental in establishing that organization for visually impaired Michigan skiers. In 1980, I was on the United States US Disabled Cross Country Ski Team, and traveled extensively in competitions. In 1981, I was one of two blind persons in an eight-person cross-country ski expedition across Lapland. It was a 45 day, 500-mile trip in March and April in many below zero days.

In 1983, I attended Catawba Valley College in Hickory, North Carolina, majoring in Furniture Production Management. During that time, I was employed in the woodworking industry making furniture prototypes for the large manufacturers, and started my own business called Sell America. It was there I honed my skills as a gourmet cook. My free time was occupied with riding, raising, and training Arabian horses.

In 1997, I moved back to Michigan and went into the kitchen design and remodeling business. I took classes and became certified in Corian and other solid surface countertop manufacturing. In 1999, I was the first blind person to get a Michigan Builders License.

In April 2010, I became the Industrial Arts instructor at Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc.

Sharon Monthei

I was born and raised on a farm near Jefferson, Iowa. At age 17, I attended the Iowa Commission for the Blind. By the end of the training, I decided to become a teacher of the blind. I hold a degree in Secondary English Education from Drake University, and a certificate in teaching English as a Second Language from Hamline University. My career has included rehabilitation teaching and counseling, teaching cane travel, teaching computer skills, proofreading braille textbooks, and now teaching English to immigrants and refugees. I am also the author of several books regarding the education of blind children, computer technology and a braille-teaching book for adults that is in its second edition. My hobbies include swimming, music, reading and writing.

Charlene Guggisberg

I grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota, where my parents and older brothers expected me to help with farm and household chores and not have blindness be an excuse for getting out of work. After being mainstreamed in the Faribault public schools six out of the seven years that I attended the school for the blind in Faribault, I returned to my home high school of Winthrop Minnesota where I graduated and later attended the St. Mary’s campus college of St. Catherine’s where I received a degree as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. I have also done coursework at St. Catherine’s campus in St. Paul, Minnesota University Duluth, and Mankato State University. After working for seven years as an Occupational Therapy assistant at New Ulm Medical center in both the Physical Medicine and behavioral health units, I worked as a rehabilitation instructor in many capacities for Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND) Incorporated as well as an independent contract worker for State Services for the Blind. I have worked with all age groups from children to seniors teaching braille, home management, cane travel and English. I have worked with soldiers from both the United States and Colombia who were coping with vision loss.

Ryan Strunk

I was born in Fremont Nebraska where I lived a “completely normal” life, and was extremely fortunate to receive a quality education in braille, cane travel, and daily living skills because of the efforts of my parents and teachers. I was one of the lucky few blind kids who are raised to believe they have the capability to compete on an equal footing with the sighted; nothing was given to me just because I was blind. I had a paper route; I sold telephone service; I even manufactured toilet paper so I could have spending cash.

After earning my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, I and my wife moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where I taught braille at Ho’pono Services for the Blind. Wanting to be closer to our families, however, we returned to the mainland and later moved to Minnesota.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in music education and have earned the National Certification in Literary Braille. I have worked in jobs ranging from manufacturing to political fundraising, and have spent a year and a half working for the National Federation of the Blind to promote our Braille Leaders are Leaders initiative.

I have been active in the National Federation of the Blind for many years, serving on both the state and national level including two years as treasurer and two years as president of the National Association of Blind Students.

When not working, I pursue a variety of interests, enjoying reading, playing guitar, computer programming, and cooking.