by Samantha Flax

(Editors' note: Samantha is the previous president of our Minnesota Association of Blind Students. She now works as the Admissions Coordinator for BLIND (Blindness, Learning in New Dimensions) Inc.) This article offers some valuable perspectives from a blind child who was raised by a blind mom, sighted dad, and blind stepfather).

By Brook Sexton

(Editors' Note: Those who doubt that a blind person can successfully raise a child have often not stopped to consider that many adults are walking around in the world today who grew up being taught, kept safe, and provided for by blind parents. Here is another such grown-up—one of seven siblings raised by a blind mother—to share her insights on her own experiences).

by Catherine A. Jacobson

(Editors' note: Catherine Jacobson is a long-time Federationist who works as a Health Equity Strategic Initiatives Project Manager at Health Partners. This perceptive piece was in the works well before we knew its author's father would become our affiliate president.)

“What’s it like having blind parents?”

“I don’t know. What’s it like having sighted parents?”

Instead of collecting and matching pledges to the tenBroek fund at the semiannual convention as our affiliate did for many years, a decision was made by the 2021 annual convention that the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota will, going forward, match individual contributions made by Minnesota Federationists to our national White Cane, Jernigan, Sun, and tenBroek funds between May 1 and June 30 up to a total of $6,000 (that is, up to $6,000 from individuals is matched by up to $6,000 from the affiliate treasury).

by David Andrews

(Editors' Note: Dave Andrews is a Federationist well-known for his management of the listservs and technological acumin—and possibly just as famous for his talents as a cook. In this article, we have the privilege of his thoughts on raising children and advice to new and aspiring parents).

by Steve Decker

(Editors' note: Steve Decker is a frequent, thoughtful contributor to these pages. This simple yet multi-layered story of interaction between a blind dad and his sighted daughter offers much to consider and learn from).

“You’re so amazing!”

(Editors' note: Past issues of this publication provide ample evidence that blind people raising children is hardly a new phenomenon. The following appeared in the "News Notes" in the September, 1954 issue of the Minnesota Bulletin).

by Kotumu Kamara

(Editors' Note: Kotumu Kamara delivered the following testimony before the Minnesota House of Representatives' Judiciary Finance and Civil Law committee, in support of our parental rights bill. Kotumu is a member of our state board of directors and a mother of two. This is just one illustration of why Minnesota law must be strengthened to protect the rights of families).

Madam Chair, members of the committee: ...

by Matt Langland

(Editors' note: This is the winning entry in the Metro chapter's essay contest held earlier this year. Matt Langland serves, among other roles, as a member of our state legislative committee).

by Steve Jacobson

As most of you already know, Ryan Strunk felt that his new job responsibilities would not permit him to devote the time and energy that he felt was required to be president of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota. On April 13, he announced on our NFBMN-NEWS email list his decision to step down as president. As vice-president, the responsibility of the office of president has therefore come to me.