May
2011
Official Publication of the North
Dakota Association of the Blind
“Not he
who lacks sight,
But he
who lacks vision is blind.”
We
strive to embrace the way of life for persons who are
Visually
impaired, to improve their opportunities for
Employment,
and to create public awareness
About
persons with sight loss.
Contents
Michelle’s
Meanderings
Gebhard
Greetings
The Health Benefits
of Laughter
Did
you know?
Bloom
Where You Are Planted
NDAB
Board Meeting, 1-9-11
NDAB
Board Meeting, 1-31-11
Lions
Foundation Video Magnifier Program
Do
You Have a Digital Machine?
Don’t
be fooled by exercise myths
Retirement
Open House
Obituary
– Sharon Pettit
Obituary
– Lola Huwe
Donations
and Memorials
The
Diversity Creed
Candy’s
Corner
NDAB
Summer Camp
Summer Camp Guidelines
NDAB
Family News
Bismarck Area News
Fargo Area News
Minot Area News
2011
Legislative Seminar
Michelle’s
Meanderings
Dear
NDAB Members;
It
has been difficult to focus on what to write for this edition as there have
been so many things in the works for NDAB. Our last board meeting was held via
teleconference Sunday, April 3 at 7 p.m.
However, there was a special meeting held on January 31st
regarding how to invest our finances.
The board has decided to diversify our investments from only certificates
of deposit and invest conservatively in mutual funds as well. Read the meeting minutes for more
details. Our next board meeting will be
held Friday, evening June 10th at the Minot Holiday Inn. Please, contact one of the board members or
myself at 298-9105 as soon as possible if you have an issue to place on the
agenda.
Recently
I attended a funeral where the priest shared his philosophy for working during
a former career. The “hit by a truck” philosophy was emphasized by the company.
In other words, it was made clear that all paperwork needed to be done in great
detail so that if he died tomorrow; someone else could step in and take up the
work load easily. Upon reflection, maybe it is because I am a transplant
recipient but I believe this is the type of philosophy I have tried to follow
during my term in office.
Much
has been accomplished over the past 3 years for NDAB. A code of conduct policy
for board members to abide by has been accepted and an investment policy is
currently being composed by a committee. We have put together 13 manuals or
guidelines which explain duties and responsibilities when holding a position
within the organization. There are only 7 left to be drafted!
Finally,
adopting a constitution and updating our by-laws will be a huge accomplishment
for NDAB. In addition, the articles of incorporation document could use a few
amendments to bring it up to date in 2012.
As
you can clearly see, still more remains to be done. None of these
accomplishments can or could have been made by just one person. It takes a team
effort to be successful and achieve much. If you are interested in serving on a
committee notify me or the committee's chairperson.
If
any of you are interested in attaining or building upon your skills, the next
Adult week scheduled at NDVSSB will begin on Sunday, June 19th
through the afternoon of Thursday, June 30th. Make sure not to miss this opportunity to have
fun learning. See the article written by Amy for further details.
Hopefully,
many of you will be attending camp this year. See Rick and Loris’s article for
all the details.
Well,
I guess that is enough of my meanderings for now.
Take
care and see you in Minot,
Michelle
Gebhard Greetings
Because of the long winter and the spring weather
that seems reluctant to arrive, I think the following article on laughter may
be just what many of us need. Therefore,
I would like to take my space in this Promoter to share it with you. Remember: take time to laugh.
Zelda Gebhard
Promoter Editor
The Health
Benefits of Laughter
Laughter is a key component of a happy life, and it has
powerful physical and mental benefits. No matter what you're facing, you can
learn to laugh and benefit from its healing ways.
Funny
movies, sitcoms, cute toddlers, and a good friend’s jokes can all offer one of
the most powerful, natural stress
relievers out there: laughter.
“I
think one of the best things is that laughter increases your sense of humor,”
says Lynda Tourloukis, a certified laughter teacher based in Park Ridge, Ill. A
motivational speaker and life coach, Tourloukis says she became interested in
the healing benefits of laughter after she and her husband spent a weekend
chuckling and guffawing at a seminar offered by the Humor Project, an
organization that focuses on "the positive power of humor." Now she
trains other laughter teachers and has become a personal laughter advocate.
The
Benefits of Laughter
The
benefits of a good laugh are wide-ranging and can include protection from
emotional issues like depression and improving the health of your heart. Here's what experts
know about the health benefits of laughter:
·
Mental health
benefits. Although you probably can’t laugh
off depression, one of the many benefits of laughter and a sense of humor is
that they buffer you against the negatives of life that could lead to
depression. As an added bonus, studies show that people who use humor to fight
stress also feel less lonely and more positive about themselves.
·
Physical
benefits. Although we can’t yet say that a
certain number of laughs every day will keep the doctor away, studies show that
people who say they laugh a lot also tend to be in good health and generally
feel well. Laughter is also one of the most commonly used complementary
therapies among cancer patients, who find that one of the benefits of laughter
is an improved quality of life.
·
Heart health
benefits. Laughter could be healthy for your
heart, too. Some research shows that when you laugh, there is an increase in
oxygen-rich blood flow in your body, possibly due to the release of endorphins,
which create a chemical rush that counters negative feelings and stress.
Activities that increase endorphins include a good
workout and listening
to music you love, and laughter deserves its place on
the list with these other stress busters.
Building
Laughter Into Your Life
Loving
the benefits of laughter but don’t feel like laughing? Sometimes you have to
make a conscious effort to laugh. If you’re facing tough times such as a tight
budget, work stress, or an illness like cancer, it may help to learn techniques
to bring the benefits of laughter into your life. You can try the old stand-by
recommendations:
·
Rent a funny movie, read a funny
book, or watch a funny sitcom.
·
Spend time with an amusing buddy.
·
Look on the light side: Go places
that help you remember good times that have made you laugh in the past.
·
Practice
laughter yoga. This specialized combination of
yoga breathing techniques and exhalation creates a self-induced “laugh” that
provides all the benefits of laughter rooted in humor. You can include this
practice in your day by adding a little “ha ha ha” when you shake hands or
introduce yourself — to fellow laughter fans, of course! Check out Laughter Yoga
International for more information.
·
Find a laughter
group. “It’s always my recommendation to
get together with other people to laugh. It’s a little hard to laugh alone,
unless you have practiced it,” Tourloukis says. At Laughter Yoga International
you can search over 6,000 social laughter clubs around the world to find one
closest to you.
·
Have a
“woohoo!” Tourloukis hosts a free daily
laughter call that is only 20 minutes long and ends with a laugh-inducing
“woohoo!” But she says anytime you look at the clock, if it’s 20 minutes past
the hour, your own “Woohoo!” will help bring a smile to your face.
Any
day is a good day to start laughing more, but if you need a more significant
date to get started with this goal, pencil it in for the first Sunday of May,
World Laughter Day.
Did
You Know?
North
Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind provides adult services!
North
Dakota residents age 18 and older may qualify for services at NDVS/SB. Services
are provided at NDVS/SB, in the individual's community or both. Services are
provided at no-cost to ND residents. While participating in center-based
programming at NDVS/SB, meals and lodging are provided.
Services
provided are person-centered. This means that an adult may receive services in
one or all of the following areas based on their needs:
*Daily
Living Skills - this may include any activities you do on a daily basis that
you are having difficulty with because of a vision loss. (This may include, but
is not limited to, cooking, cleaning, etc.)
*Braille
- An adult may choose to learn the entire Braille Code or just the Braille
Alphabet.
*Travel
Skills - This may include using a cane or just learning safer travel skills for
someone with limited vision. NDVS/SB also provides training in Sighted Guide.
This is a cluster of skills where a sighted person assists a low vision person
from point A to point B.
*Technology
- This may include learning low-tech items such as magnifiers or high-tech
items such as adaptive computer software used to enlarge or read print on a
computer screen.
*Vocational/Career
- This may include helping a person enter or remain in the workforce.
*Adjustment
- NDVS/SB offers some individual counseling services while a person is at
NDVS/SB and/or continued Teletherapy services once a person returns to their
home to help deal with issues related to their vision loss. As previously
stated, services are person centered. An adult may choose what (or all)
services that are needed Some adults may feel they need only one or two service
areas and some may feel they need or want them all. We are here to help! There
are six weeks throughout the year when we provide center-based services. They
include:
*March
*June
*September
*December
An
adult may choose to come for a part of a week or a whole week. In June and
September we offer a two week option for persons who feel they need more
intensive services. Unlike other centers where individuals come to center-based
programming, graduate from the program and then go home and may still have some
areas of difficulty at home, we follow-up on an outreach basis on a monthly,
every 6 months or yearly basis, depending on the individual's needs.
We
look forward to hearing how we can assist you! In western ND, please contact
Amy (Brunner) Osvold at 701-857-7634 or in eastern ND, contact Jesse Shirek at
701-795-2731. Independence is only a phone call away!
Bloom Where You Are Planted
The Minot Convention Planning Committee would
like to invite everyone to the 75th Anniversary Conference and Convention to be
held June 10th, 11th, and 12th. We would like 100 NDAB members to attend
this convention. The Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Riverside.
There are 50 rooms reserved for this
convention. Please get your reservations early. Contact information
for the Holiday Inn Riverside:
Holiday Inn Riverside
2200 Burdick
Expressway East
Minot, ND 58701
Phone Number:
1-800-468-9968
Now that you have your packet in the mail with
the Call to Convention, return your reservation and check to:
1425 31st Avenue SW
Apartment 102
Minot, ND 58701-6960
NDAB Board Meeting –
1-9-11
7:00
PM via teleconference
Present: Shereen Faber, Michelle Zentz, Helen
Baumgartner, Allan Peterson, Rick Feldman, Mark Kueffler, Susan Jorgenson
Absent: Missy Miller, Lola Huwe
Guest:
Connie Springsted
Call to order: 7:08pm Conference call
began. Thank you expressed to Rick for arranging call.
Consent agenda: Allan made motion to accept, seconded, and
passed the minutes of October 9, 2010; Membership report; Financial Report; and
Legislative Report.
Board Meeting: Agenda accepted with five additions, Shereen
made
Correspondence: Six sympathy cards sent. President Michelle responded to an e-mail
regarding possible books on CD donation.
Anonymous Memorial received in memory of Don Neal. Donna Hepper,
chairperson of Bismarck 2012 convention, was sent information on possible
speaker.
Treasurer's Report: 65 have renewed 2011 membership as of January
9th, 2011. The last payment for use of
NDAB logo was received; a thank you will be sent for the contributions over the
years. Treasurer's balance is $30,647.53
as of January 9th, 2011.
Committee Reports:
Convention report by Connie: June 10, 11, 12, 2011 convention at the
Holiday Inn on East Burdick. Motion by
Susan, seconded, and failed to pass the request to video tape the guest speaker
at banquet.
Robert John LePage Service Award: Letter for Lion's Presidents and article for
ND Lion have been sent.
Scholarship Committee: Applications and letters sent to colleges.
Sports and Recreation: Ski for Light dates are January 23-27. The bus will return Jan. 28th. You
may reserve your seat on the bus by sending a $15 payment to Helen.
Business Meeting:
1.
Next meeting: April 3, 2011, conference call.
2.
Midwest Leadership Conference: Board decided not to participate via
e-mail, Oct. 14th 2010, vote: 5 nay, 2 no response, 1abstention.
3.
Family Adjustment Seminar: Oct.
14-15, Fargo Country Inn and Suites via unanimous e-mail vote Oct. 26, 2010.
4.
Impact Giveback paperwork in progress.
5.
Rick is checking on second microphone for convention use.
6.
NDAB Brochure: Helen and Allan volunteered
to work on updating the brochure.
7.
Investment question:
8.
Disability Awareness Day: Bismarck, March 30th,
9.
8th Annual Assistive Technology Expo:
10.
11.
Vision Support Group Guidelines:
A group and an individual had asked Michelle to put together some
guidance for new groups and ideas for existing groups. Topic discussed, motion
by Allan,
12.
NDAB Investment Guidelines draft:
13.
A parliamentary procedure book has been donated by Susan to NDAB.
14.
June 10th, 2011 a presentation on parliamentary procedure by Mark
Kueffler and Char Feldman from 3:00 to 4:30pm will be held.
15.
16.
Lifetime Membership:
17.
Ed Christensen Award: Suggested
names are to be given to Carol Schmitt by NDAB membership.
18.
Constitution and by-law committee to look into absentee issues of board
members.
Adjournment: 9:21pm
Submitted by,
Susan Jorgenson
NDAB Special Board
Meeting- 1-31-11
Present: Rick Feldman, Shereen Faber,
Milissa Miller, Michelle Zentz, Mark Kueffler, Helen Baumgartner, Susan
Jorgenson, Allan Peterson
Absent: Lola Huwe
Guest: William Hawkins, CEO Hawkins
Financial Services; Missouri Council of the Blind Treasurer.
Meeting called to order at
7:01pm. Introduction of board members to William Hawkins who works with
clients across the nation.
We were advised to set up a line of
credit half of NDAB’s annual expenses. This
amount would be accessible in 24 to 48 hours. Chris Goodwin, American Century investment
counselor, is recommended by William concerning mutual funds to diversify our
investments. William and Rick left the conference call at 8:04 pm.
Business Meeting: 8:04pm.
The Investment Committee will be Mark,
Helen, Susan, Allan, Michelle, and Steve Gebhard. President Michelle will
set up a committee meeting in February.
Fundraising Event for NDAB
Convention: Missy and Shereen presented an idea of a duffel bag.
Motion by Allan, seconded and passed unanimously to order 20 gold and 20 blue with black print to sell at the convention for
$25.
Call ended at 8:23
Submitted by,
Susan Jorgenson
Lions Foundation Video Magnifier Program
The Lions Foundation of North Dakota has approved a statewide
Lions Foundation of North Dakota Video Magnifier Program.
To qualify for the Lions Foundation of ND Video Magnifier Program
an applicant MUST meet the following eligibility criteria: (1) The applicant
must be a resident of the State of North Dakota at least eight (8) months of
the year. (2) Applicants must be 18 years of age. (Special consideration may be
given to consumers under the age of 18. Please see specifics below). (3) ALL
applications must be signed by a qualified Vision Loss Professional. These
include: Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Orientation & Mobility
Specialists, Low Vision Specialists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired and
Vision Rehabilitation Specialists. A recent acuity (or low vision exam) should
be noted on the application. IN ORDER FOR AN APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED IT
MUST BE APPROVED BY ONE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROFESSIONALS. (4) An applicant
does not have to be “Legally Blind” to be eligible for the Lions Foundation of
ND Video Magnifier Program; however, a loss of vision does have to
SIGNIFICANTLY impair their ability to read printed material, which, as a
consequence, necessitates their use of a video magnifier to help them carry out
the activities of daily living. Please note: A summary of what the video
magnifier would be used for must be briefly described in the space that is
provided for this purpose in the application. (5) An individual or agency
applying for a video magnifier MUST also agree to one (1) of the lease payment
options listed below.
The video magnifier would be “leased” to the individual on a
monthly basis. The cost of the lease includes the following:
·
A non-refundable $50 deposit
·
A $20 per month lease fee
Payments are due on the first (1st) of each month and are
considered LATE if received after the fifteenth (15th) of the month.
The non-refundable deposit may be paid in one (1) $50 payment OR
five (5) $10 payments per month for the first five (5) months of the lease.
Option 1: $50 (deposit) + $20 (monthly lease payment) = $70 for the first
month.
·
And then the standard $20 per month lease payment for the
remainder of the lease.
Option 2: $10 (deposit) + $20 (lease payment) = $30 for the first five (5)
months.
·
And then the standard $20 per month lease payment for the
remainder of the lease.
If a consumer misses three (3) payments, the video magnifier will
be repossessed. If the consumer wishes to obtain a new video magnifier, another
application (including professional signature) and $50 deposit will be
required.
A committee of no less than eight (8) people including the
following: 2 members of the Lions, 2 members of the North Dakota Association of
the Blind, 2 members of ND Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and 2
members of North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind will meet quarterly
to review and approve/deny applications. A ¾ majority vote is needed to approve
an application.
The video magnifier will be delivered to the applicant by a vision
professional employed at either North Dakota Vision Services/School for the
Blind or Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The first payment will be
made at the time of delivery. A postage paid envelope addressed to the Lions
Foundation of ND Video Magnifier Program will be given to the applicant for the
first payment only. A copy of the approved and delivered application WILL be
given to the applicant and the ORIGINAL sent to the LIONS FOUNDATION OF ND
VIDEO MAGNIFIER PROGRAM along with the payment.
A congregate site may apply for a video magnifier if they have a
resident who qualifies. However, if more than one individual meets the
eligibility criteria, a machine may be placed in a communal location for all of
the eligible residents to use. The deposit and monthly lease payment fees still
apply for this machine.
UNDER 18 ELIGIBILITY
Applicants under the age of 18 may be considered for the Lions Foundation of ND
Video Magnifier Program. However, because the student’s local school district
should provide the needed equipment for the student’s use during school hours,
they MAY qualify for a video magnifier for HOME USE ONLY. The deposit and
monthly lease fees will also apply for the use of this machine.
Questions can be directed to the Lions Foundation of ND Video
Magnifier Program by mail at: PO Box 761, Mandan, ND 58554 Or by telephone contact:
Kevin Vannett 701 426-8050
Do You Have a Digital Machine?
The Digital Talking Book
Machines continue to be very popular with our patrons. We have distributed them
to well over half of our North Dakota readers. If you would like a digital
machine and have not yet received one, please call the School for the Blind in
Grand Forks at 1-800-421-1181 or the North Dakota State Library in Bismarck at
1-800-843-9948.
Don’t be fooled by exercise myths
You’ve probably heard it before: no
pain, no gain. Experts recommend people let go of that exercise mantra and
other exercise myths. The truth is that if cardio or resistance training hurts,
you may be doing it incorrectly or you have an injury. Don’t “work through the
pain.” Stop, rest, and if the pain does not subside or go away, call your
doctor.
Another common exercise myth is that
you have to sweat profusely to get results. While it can be a badge of honor to
have a sweat-drenched T-shirt at the gym, you can still burn a lot of calories
without breaking a sweat. In some cases, less is more. It’s important to
remember especially as we age that we can’t safely exercise with the same
intensity we did decades ago. While running is a great way to exercise, the
force of your body weight on your joints causes stress too. It doesn’t matter
whether you run on a treadmill or pavement. Whether you are 25 or 55, it’s good
to reduce knee impact by varying your workout. Try an elliptical machine or
stationary bike. The key is to find an activity you enjoy.
Another myth is that you must do
crunches or use an ab machine to lose belly fat. If only life were that easy.
Unfortunately, you can’t select the areas where you will burn fat. While
performing crunches and using ab machines will help strengthen your core
muscles and improve your posture, the look of your abdominal muscles is based
on body fat percentage. Workouts with both cardiovascular and strength training
will help decrease overall body fat content.
Some people believe the best way to
increase strength is to exercise the same body part every day. Another myth.
Your muscles—like your mind—need new challenges every day. Add variety to your
workouts and switch your focus.
—Information provided by Blue Cross
Blue Shield of North Dakota
Retirement Open House
Dianne
Giessinger will be retiring at the end of this school year after 16 years with
North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind. She did work for VR in the
Older Blind Program for a couple years before she started at NDVS/SB. We will
be having a Retirement Open House for her at The Vegas Motel (2315 North
Broadway) in Minot. The Open House will be held in the Atrium (area by the
pool) from 2 - 4pm on Tuesday, May 24. We will be making a scrapbook for
Dianne. Anyone who wants to can make a page for this book. It is a 12 x 12 book
so the paper used should be for a book of that size. If someone wants to make a
page and needs paper, they can contact Amy (Brunner) Osvold at the numbers or
e-mail listed below. Each person who does a page is just decorating the page, putting
a message to Dianne and a picture of themselves (so years from now she can look
back and see your smiling face). People can also opt to do their page as a
group.
If
you have any questions, please contact me at the numbers/email listed below.
Thanks!
Amy
L. (Brunner) Osvold
Vision
Rehabilitation Specialist
North
Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind
1015
South Broadway Ste. 21
Minot
ND 58701
701-857-7634
office
701-340-9226
cell
Obituaries
Sharon
Pettit
Sharon Kay Pettit, 66, Minot, died
Friday, April 15, 2011, in a Minot Hospital.
Sharon was born June 4, 1944, at Neodesha, Kansas, the daughter of Harold and
Rebecca (Hutchinson) Daniel. She was raised at Independence, Kansas and
attended school there. As a young adult, she made her home in McPherson,
Kansas, where she met William S. “Shorty” Pettit. They were united in
marriage on September 5, 1963, in McPherson.
Throughout the years, Sharon and Bill lived at various places throughout the
world, while Bill honorably served his country with the United States Air
Force. Some of these places included Duluth, Minnesota, Wiesbaden,
Germany and in 1975 the family moved to Minot. In addition to
raising their three children, Sharon was employed as a medical secretary at
ManorCare Health Services for fifteen years and as activity coordinator at
UniMed Medical Center for the swing bed unit. She retired in 1997.
Sharon was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Surrey. She enjoyed doing
crafts, cake decorating, as well as, making Barbie doll clothing and reading.
Her loving family includes her husband of forty-seven years, William “Shorty”
Pettit; Children, Keith (Tressa) Pettit, Detroit, MI, William “Bill”
(Diane) Pettit III, Bismarck, Alycia Dawn Pettit, Minot; Nine
Grandchildren: Chantel & Kelsey Pettit, Michael & Jessica
Wretling, Josh Pettit, Shea Woodward, Abbey, Jaden & Jordan Schmidt;
Great-Grandchild, Calli Jo; and sister, Phyllis Wann, Bellflower, CA.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Doris & Dorothy and
brothers, Gene and Bruce.
Celebration of Life Service was held on Wednesday, April 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the
Thomas Family Funeral Home. At the request of family there will be no reviewal,
however,family and friends are invited to sign a memorial register book on
Tuesday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the ND Association of the Blind or the American
Cancer Society.
Lola Huwe
Lola
Mae Huwe, 72, Bismarck died peacefully in her home with her family by her side,
following a brief struggle with brain cancer.
Lola
was born on October 20, 1938, to Joel and Ida Mae Ramberg at Mrs.
Minover’s
Maternity Home in Bismarck. She was raised, along with her older sister Jean,
in Tioga, Nesson Valley, White Earth, Wheelock and Ray. They moved to Bismarck where Lola graduated
from high school at age 15. After graduation, she attended Minot State Teachers
College for
2
years. On August 17, 1957, Lola married the love of her life, Clair Huwe. They raised 3 children.
At
age 50 Lola went back to school and got her first paying job as a legal
secretary.
She
enjoyed camping, traveling, fishing, reading, music, spending time with the
family, and laughter. With a passion for justice and equality for all, Lola
founded the Central Dakota chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG). She was an active member of the North Dakota Peace Coalition,
the Bismarck Human Relations Committee, the Bismarck Mandan Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship and Church, and the ND Association of the Blind. She
was a beloved performer with Dragon Jane Theatre Company. Lola was a recent recipient of the Arc of
Justice Award from the ND Human Rights Coalition. She was a frequent volunteer at the Ruth
Meiers Hospitality House.
Her
final wish was to die in the home Clair built for her. She was able to do this.
She
is survived by her husband Clair, son Terry Huwe (Renae), Bismarck, daughter
Ella Huwe (Carlie Carow), Fargo, daughter Julie Huwe, Bismarck; Grandchildren
Kristi Rasmussen, (Steve Henrich) St. Paul, Joel and Eric Huwe, Bismarck, Cody
and Brandee Huwe, Fargo. She is also survived by her sister Jean Bartels
(Carl), Anchorage, Alaska, Daughters of her heart Diane Markel (White Bear
Lake), Kris Kitko and Karen Van Fossan (Bismarck) and Sister of her heart,
Donna Kahl (Darby MT), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and
uncles, cousins, and all her “PFLAG kids"
She
was preceded in death by her parents, Ida Mae and Joel Ramberg.
Lola
did not want a funeral. A Celebration of her life was held at the Bismarck
Mandan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Church.
Donations and Memorials
Memorials
were given from Rodney and Annette Link in memory of George Gagnon, from Betty
Mills in memory of George Gagnon, from Missy Miller in memory of Frank
Reisenauer, from Margy Froelich in memory of Joe Froelich, from Larry Froelich in
memory of Joe Froelich, from Diane Collins in memory of Joe Froelich, from Mavis
Anderson in memory of Lola Huwe and from Loris Van Berkom in memory of Sharon
Pettit.
There
was also a donation from Hazen Community Chest.
The
donations and memorials given for the past two months totaled $334.
Helen
Baumgartner, Treasurer
THE DIVERSITY CREED
By Gene Griessman
I
believe that diversity is a part of the natural order of things—as natural as
the trillion shapes and shades of the flowers of spring or the leaves of
autumn. I believe that diversity brings new solutions to an ever-changing
environment, and that sameness is not only uninteresting but limiting.
To
deny diversity is to deny life—with all its richness and manifold
opportunities. Thus, I affirm my citizenship in a world of diversity, and with
it the responsibility to….
Be
tolerant. Live and let live. Understand that those who cause no harm should not
be feared, ridiculed, or harmed—even if they are different.
Look
for the best in others.
Be
just in my dealings with poor and rich, weak and strong, and whenever possible
to defend the young, the old, the frail, the defenseless.
Avoid
needless conflicts and diversions, but be always willing to change for the
better that which can be changed.
Seek
knowledge in order to know what can be changed, as well as what cannot be
changed.
Forge
alliances with others who love liberty and justice.
Be
kind, remembering how fragile the human spirit is.
Live
the examined life, subjecting my motives and actions to the scrutiny of mind
and heart so to rise above prejudice and hatred.
Care.
Be generous in thought, word, and purse.
Submitted
by Michelle Zentz in memory of Lola Huwe and her passion for Human Rights.
Candy’s
Corner
First
of all, a couple of technology-related notes. If you have been having
difficulty using your screen reader on sites like Facebook and Caring Bridge,
try using the mobile versions of these sites. Instead of typing in the “www,”
type in the letter “m.” For example, type in “m.facebook.com” or
“m.caringbridge.org” This will give you a stripped-down version of the site
which is much easier for people using screen readers to navigate. I have found
that our local newspaper, The Forum, has a mobile version of its site,
and it is much easier to use. Your local newspaper may also have a mobile
version. Also, if you are looking for help with directory assistance, and you
are not using your home phone, which probably already has the free directory
assistance (if you have signed up for it), try keying in 1-800-246-4411, or
another way of saying it is 1-800-bing411. I have used this handy service when
using my cell phone away from home, and it works really well.
For
all you knitters out there, here is a very simple pattern for making an
attractive afghan. Using about a size 13 circular needle and Lion Brand
Homespun yarn, make a border using the garter stitch, which is knit all. I knit
about 10 rows at the top and bottom of the afghan, and about 8 stitches at each
side. Then work a pattern of the following: yarn over, knit 2 together across
for 2 rows. The next 2 rows work in garter stitch. Repeat this 4-row sequence
until the afghan is the size you want. It is easy,0020repetitive, and the
result is very attractive and looks more complex than it is! Also, use an
abacus to keep track of rows in a pattern that requires you to count rows. If
the pattern is more complex and you need to keep track of a sequence of
stitches, in addition to rows, you can use one end of the abacus for the rows
and the other end of the abacus for the other sequences of stitches. Knitting
is a great pastime, in my opinion, for people who are blind or who have low
vision. I enjoy knitting while I’m watching TV, listening to the radio, or
“reading” a talking book. It helps me to feel like I am being more productive
and gives me something to do with my hands. If you have any knitting or crocheting
tips, please share them with us!
NDAB
Summer Camp 2011
By
now, you should have marked your calendars for August 7-14 and are making plans
to attend our annual summer camp. Plans are underway to make this camp session
a great one! The camp packets will be sent out between the middle and end of
June so watch for them. We are always looking for new campers so if you know of
someone who would be eligible, please contact either Rick or Loris and we will
contact them.
The
banquet theme this year is centered around Easter so start thinking about your
banquet attire.
Below
are the camp guidelines. If you have any questions, please call Rick at
235-3923 or Loris at 774-3399.
Submitted
by Rick Feldman and Loris Van Berkom, Co-Camp Directors
NDAB
SUMMER CAMP GUIDELINES
PURPOSE
1.
To provide an opportunity for persons who are visually impaired to come in
contact with persons with similar impairments and share a common concern.
2.
To help in the process of adjusting to blindness.
3.
To provide an opportunity to learn new skills, techniques, and leisure time
activities to enhance the quality of life.
ELIGIBILITY
1.
Must be at least 18 years of age with vision loss as the primary disability.
2.
Must be capable of participating in the program set-up for camp.
a. Must be able to care for ones personal
needs including bathing, dressing, eating, etc.
b. Must be physically able to get oneself
around the camp grounds, with the exclusion of difficulty with mobility due to
vision loss.
3.
Must be cooperative and demonstrate willingness to abide by the regulations of
camp.
a. Alcoholic beverages and/or unauthorized
drugs are not allowed on the camp grounds.
Any violators will be promptly sent home at their own expense.
b. All campers must remain overnight at camp.
c. Campers must attend the entire week of
camp unless other arrangements have been made with the co-camp directors, or a
situation arises, such as an illness or a family emergency.
d. Participants must notify one of the
directors if leaving the campus for any reason.
4.
Must demonstrate respect for authority.
5.
Must display consideration for fellow campers.
Geographical
Eligibility Guidelines
1. Any adult who is visually impaired and not
a North Dakota resident but is attending a North Dakota college or university
will be eligible to attend the NDAB Summer Camp at no cost.
2. One member of ACB leadership will be
eligible to attend the NDAB Summer Camp annually as a camper at no cost.
3. Any adult who is visually impaired and who
lives in another state other than North Dakota could attend camp but must pay
for their room and board, which is set by the Elks Camp Grassick Director. At this time, the cost is $200. Any adult who is visually impaired and lives
in a border town may attend at no cost.
Border towns include East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Breckenridge and West
Fairview.
4. Camp capacity, which is set by the Elks
Camp Grassick Director, is 60 people.
Residents of North Dakota would be given preference to out of state
campers if the camp capacity were reached.
5. Any member of NDAB who moved out of state
but continued to pay their annual dues would be eligible to attend camp at no
cost.
NDAB Family News
Bismarck
Area News
I
am late in getting this news in. It is
April 15th and it is snowing.
Some areas west of Bismarck have had more than 9 inches and it is still
falling. More is predicted for next
week. People are back to acting testy
and their smiles left with the sunshine.
Can anything be done about it? We
will discuss the weather again next July.
Donna
Hepper and Bob Vandal are busy organizing the Walk-a-thon which will be held on
April 30th. For years
Bismarck did not participate and the last few years thanks to them, we have
made our mark.
Our
condolences and sympathy to Clair Huwe and his family on the passing of
Lola. It was just a year ago she
consented to have her name put up for nomination to run as a board member since
my term was up. Life is fragile…Handle
With Prayer.
In
the last Promoter, Allan wrote about the “Disability Awareness Day” to be held
in the Great Hall at the Capitol on March 30th. I had to attend a funeral in the morning so
when I came there in the afternoon, I found the NDAB table manned by
Zelda. Donna was with Allan in the
Representative Chamber listening to various bills up for voting.
The
times they are a-changin’. On
February13th I moved into Valley View Heights, an Assisted Living facility that
is connected with Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. I figure at this point life is nothing but a
conveyer belt. I’ll be here until I have
to get on the belt and go over to the Alzheimer’s unit and finally get back on
the belt and take a left to Saint Mary’s Cemetery. You might be interested to know my Assisted
Living insurance was denied and I am in the process of an appealing. It is interesting because I think the
insurance company didn’t think there was a stubborn Norwegian they would have
to deal with. How timely it was that I
was up at the Capitol because I contacted the Protection and Advocacy group and
I have the nicest person working on my behalf along with someone from the State
Insurance Department.
See
you in Minot. Stay dry and remember –
July is coming.
Mavis
Anderson
2500
Valley View Ave., Apt 251
Fargo
Area News
By Shereen Faber
Well
I guess we had thought that spring had sprung but no April Fools. By the time
this Promoter comes out hopefully there will be no more chances of snow. At
this point Elton says "Let the girls take care of the snow, April, May and
June."
We have had some very interesting speakers at our Insight Support Group. March
we had Tyler from Freedom Resources speaking about the political advocacy side
for disabled people. His goals are to
change certain conditions that are discriminatory towards the disabled. He has
a brother who is disabled and has seen firsthand how bad things can get. In
April Kathy, who is an RN, spoke to us about her volunteer trip to Haiti this
past January. She was there for one week on a mission with doctors and other
nurses to treat children and adults with visual problems. In that week they saw
over 300 people. They fitted some people with glasses and performed about 30
operations for cataracts. Like everyone knows when you hear stories from a
third world country you realize how good we do have it here.
We have had a few plays since the last Promoter. In February we had "The
Drowsy Chaperone," which was a musical comedy and oh my, what talent we do
have in Fargo. In March we had "Picnic," which was a classic that was
made into a movie and Karla Peterson, our audio describer had a
significant part in this play and did a wonderful job. In April we had
"Lend Me a Tenor," which was a comedy. It was very busy and a bit on
the loud side with slamming doors, but got a lot of laughs.
I’m looking forward to the convention in June. We will have duffle bags for sale
to celebrate 75 years. You will have a choice of either gold or Carolina blue.
Both have black lettering. They are a nice size and will be selling for $30.
With that being said hope everyone has a beautiful spring.
Minot
Area News
By Connie Springsted
Here
is a rundown of the June 10, 11 and 12 Conference/Convention:
Friday, June 10
3-4
PM Meeting concerning Parliamentary Procedure
3-5
PM Registration
5:30
-6:30 PM Bus to ND DVR Solution Center
6:30
– 8:30 PM Bus to Scandinavian Park for Picnic
8:30
PM Bus back to Holiday Inn for Board meeting
Saturday, June 11
8
AM NDAB Conference/Convention Begins
8
AM Late Registration
8
AM Open the Conference with presentation of colors, invocation, welcome to
Minot, NDAB President response and introduction of vendors
10
AM Coffee break
10:25
AM Door prizes
10:30
AM Resume Business
12-1
PM Lunch break
1:10
PM Door Prizes
1:15
PM NDAB Panel
1:45
PM Resume Business
2:45
PM Coffee Break
3:10
PM Door prizes
3:15
PM Resume Business
4:30
– 5:00 PM Adjourn for the day
Sunday, June 12
8
AM Memorial Service
8:45
AM Coffee Break
9:10
AM Door Prizes
9:15
AM Resume Business
Noon
or so - Adjournment of 2011 Conference/Convention
2011
Legislative Seminar
By Allan Peterson
On
behalf of Zelda and myself, thank you! Thank you NDAB for the opportunity to
represent our North Dakota affiliate at this year’s American Council of the
Blind’s Legislative Seminar that was held in the Washington, D.C. area from
February 27th thru March 1st. In many ways this year’s Seminar was
transitional in nature; nonetheless I believe that our trip was one that was
very beneficial because it helped lay the groundwork for the future for our
advocacy efforts with the newly elected members of our North Dakota
congressional delegation as they’ve begin their terms of office in our nation’s
capitol.
The
trip to DC started earlier this year for me because as a Board member of the
American Council of the Blind, it was necessary that I attend the Board meeting
that preceded the Seminar and the Midyear Affiliate President’s meeting. The
ACB Winter Board meeting was held on February 25th, the Friday prior
to the Seminar. After the Board meeting on Friday, the ACB Midyear Affiliate
President’s meeting was held Saturday and on Sunday morning, February 27th. The
Legislative Seminar began that same Sunday afternoon.
Thus
far I’ve participated in two “face-to-face” meetings of the ACB Board. Both
have been very full days. We’ve also held a number of lengthy conference calls.
I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed the experience as an ACB Board member!
Time doesn’t permit me here to go into any detail about our Board discussions
other than to say that much of it involves financial decisions, conventions and
internal policy matters.
I
again thank Zelda for being willing to take the time to make this trip to
attend the ACB Legislative Seminar and her help as a person with some sight!
This year there were three of us North Dakotans that attended the Seminar
because Donna Hepper joined Zelda for the trip out to DC and also joined us on
our visits to the congressional offices on Capitol Hill. With regard to
congressional office visits, more voices at the table help create a better
impression! Note: Donna made her trip to DC at her own expense.
The
trip to D.C. is a quick one because so much is packed into the limited time
that we are able to spend there. It also involves making the arrangements for
us to meet in the various congressional offices and coordinating them so that
we are able to maximize our time and effort.
Capitol
Hill is a big place! The Senate has three large office buildings and the House
of Representatives also has three very large office buildings as well! When one
goes to Capitol Hill it is advisable to wear your best walking shoes because
the hallways are long and the distances between offices are long as well.
The
set of issues that we dealt with this year changed a bit because two of the
priorities that we had advanced for a few years in the past became laws. Those
two priorities that were enacted into laws were the 21st Century
Communications and Video Description Act and the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement
Act. These were truly monumental achievements and ones that we can take pride
in because it was through our efforts in concert with others that these
achievements were realized!
At
this year’s Seminar we addressed issues that included (1) promoting creation of
legislation that would establish a standard for drug labeling for people who
are blind and visually impaired, (2) promoting creation of legislation that
would include coverage of visual aids, like magnifiers, under Medicare for
people that are visually impaired who need this equipment so that they can live
their lives more independently, and (3) pursuing and supporting legislation
that would ease the restrictions that have been imposed by the IRS for tax
credits on donations for motor vehicles to nonprofit organizations like ACB and
its state affiliates.
With
regard to the issue of drug labeling, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
hasn’t yet established any standards or guidelines for accessibility for
labeling when providing that information to people with blindness and sight
loss. ACB would like to have Congress address this issue through legislation
that directs the FDA to establish standards for accessibility so that labeling
would be uniform nationwide. As a consequence, drug manufactures and
pharmacists would then know what access labeling specifications they should follow
when they provide that information to people who are blind and visually
impaired.
With
regard to the issue of provision of visual aids, ACB is seeking congressional
support for the inclusion of visual aids such as magnifiers under Medicare so
that people who need this equipment would be able to have it provided so they
could live more independently in their own homes. The Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid placed more restrictions on this coverage in 2008 and ACB is seeking
to have Congress lift these restrictions by introducing new legislation to
address this issue.
Tuesday,
March 1st, was the day that we made those all-important Capitol Hill visits to
meet with our North Dakota congressional delegation! We actually made nine Hill
visits – not only to Senators Conrad and Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg but
also made visits to the South Dakota and Montana congressional delegations,
because no one from those states were available to attend the Seminar. The Hill
visits with other states were cleared in advance with the South Dakota and
Montana affiliates.
We felt that we had
very productive meetings on Capitol Hill, particularly with our own North
Dakota congressional delegation. In each case we were warmly received and they
seemed receptive to the legislative initiatives that we were advocating for and
the reasoning we offered why this legislation should receive the attention of
Congress. Our visits to the offices of the Montana and South Dakota
congressional delegations also went very well.
We did have a good
visit with Representative Rick Berg and a member of his staff in his Capitol
Hill Office. I believe that these visits are important as they do put us face
to face with our elected representatives and their office staff. I believe that
this will be even more important as we enter what seem to be more limits on
government spending on programs that have the potential to affect many of us
directly.
Promoter Editor:
Zelda
Gebhard, 8169 66th St SE, Edgeley, ND 58433 #493-2399
All
members are encouraged to submit items of interest to the editor by mail, phone
or e-mail (contact information listed above) for publication. Deadline is the 10th of the month
prior to quarterly publications of February, May, August and November