WISCONSIN CHRONICLE FallThe Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin1994 1994 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND STATE CONVENTION The Nineteenth Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin will be held in the comfortable surroundings of the Inn on the Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The Convention will begin Friday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. and conclude Sunday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m.. This year's Convention will feature presentations on: positive educational strategies for blind children, valuable blindness techniques to assure the ultimate job opportunities, the most current information about blindness. The convention will be of great interest to all blind persons, parents of blind children, and those working with the blind. The highlight of the Convention will be the Saturday evening banquet address given by Diane McGeorge. Mrs. McGeorge is the Executive Director of the Colorado Center for the Blind. She has been on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind since 1977. Diane McGeorge's knowledge and experience in education of blind children and adults are nationally renowned. We are very fortunate she will be with us this year. We are proud to have arranged quite reasonable room rates for this year's Convention. The room rates are $55.00 for one or two in a room, $63.00 two persons, two beds, and $71.00 for three or four in a room. There will be no charge for children occupying rooms with their parents. Reservations with credit card or one night's room deposit must be made on or before October 1, by calling (800) 279-8811 or (608) 257- 5995 or writing: The Inn on the Park, 22 South Carroll St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Be sure to mention the NFBW Convention when making reservations to insure these low rates. The Madison NFBW Convention in 1994 is definitely the place to be - hundreds of dollars of great door prizes, a terrific auction, excellent hotel and meeting accom- modations, stimulating program items, history making convention business, as well as hospitality and fun. Don't miss it, and get your reservations in today, along with the pre- registration form at the end of this newsletter. THE BLIND TABLE by Bill Meeker Bill Meeker is the President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. Cultural exploration can take many forms. We might travel to other countries and experience them firsthand or we might study them through reading or listening to lectures, music, or shortwave broadcasts. Then again, we might literally taste and smell them. I am speaking, of course, of that most satisfying mode of cultural experience, eating the food of all cultures at restaurants. I should qualify that by saying that my own gastronomic travels have been limited to ethnic restaurants inside the United States and Canada, and that the term, ethnic, includes American restaurants in different regions of this country. In addition to its food, each eating establishment affords a glimpse of dining customs and practices of the land or region whose food it serves. Among the almost infinite variety of these customs and practices, is one common to nearly every restaurant regardless of its location, or regional or cultural specialty. Those who notice such things are already saying, "He is speaking, of course, of the blind table." Those who don't notice such things are already saying, "What's the blind table, anyway?" Usually, it's the first table you find after entering a restaurant. While it is arguably not the worst table in the place, the table next to the bus pans, kitchen, or bathrooms takes that honor, it is the draftiest and most heavily trafficked. And it is a ghetto of sorts because we are placed here for possessing the characteristic of being blind. Skeptical? Try this simple experiment. Pick a restaurant, go alone or with a group of blind people at a time when the blind table is less likely to be occupied. Sighted group members will skew results... Note where you are seated. Record the results. Repeat the experiment enough times to obtain a meaningful sample. Test for statistical significance. By the way, how was the food? If the food was good, but results inconclusive, write a grant proposal for additional funding in order to continue your research. You may feel writing about topics like the blind table to be frivolous, but my Dale Carnegiesque apologist for the silent majority, Uncle Gladhand Brightside, did not. "But it's closer to the door, and easier for you to get out." "Thou seemest overmuch concerned with my leaving. What's your hurry? When I leave, so does my money. And besides, it's my eyes that don't work, not my legs." "But somebody has to sit there." "Yes, but not some of the people most of the time. Look, when you stop hassling me about sitting in the exit rows of your airplanes, I'll stop hassling you about sitting in the exit rows of your restaurants." "Is this such a serious problem?" "No, it's an annoyance." But it's also illustrative of, the mostly negative assumptions, the sighted world, regardless of its ethnicity, often makes about blind people, and a reminder of how far we have yet to go. It reminds me, too, that I must always be watchful and assertive wherever I am. For the price of freedom is, indeed, eternal vigilance. MY NFB CONVENTION EXPERIENCE by Jaclyn L. Kusters Jaclyn Kusters is a Junior at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside working toward a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She is a wife and mother of five children. On June 30 I boarded a plane, destination Detroit, Michigan, and the 1994 National Federation of the Blind convention. I had been fortunate enough to have been awarded a $ 1,000 state scholarship from the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. Attendance at the national convention was a stipulation of being awarded the scholarship. At the very least I thought I'd have a great vacation and, with all expenses being paid by the NFBW, how could I possibly lose? Well, let me tell you, Detroit's convention was no vacation. What it was, was rather a Mecca of sorts. For me it was truly a spiritual endeavor. It was at first a chance for me to stand back and observe. Then as I became more enlightened, a chance, to slowly inch forward and embrace the Federation, and finally be "set free" and allowed the privilege of carrying the message of the Federation to others. Throughout my stay at the convention I rode an emotional roller-coaster. For the first time I was able to immerse myself in a setting as natural and comfortable to me as breathing. I quickly found that my customary false pretenses were not needed among my true peers. They saw me for who and what I really am, not what I had thought I should be seen as all these years. Though I had never met any Federationists before, they embraced me as my brothers and sisters. We were truly kindred spirits. At some times I also felt frustration and even a hint of anger. Why had I suffered alone for so long? Why hadn't anyone even told me that there was such a thing as the National Federation of the Blind? Why had it come into my life now? I pushed these questions from my mind until I had a chance to really give them serious thought. After my return home, I gave my feelings and questions deep consideration. I accepted the fact that no child, even one with a visual impairment, comes with a "how to" or "where to" guide. It was unfortunate that I hadn't known the NFB existed but anger wouldn't change this fact. I had allowed society and myself to turn me into a victim. I guess we are all victims of ignorance. I realized it was time to quit being angry, stop feeling sorry for myself, and address my final question - why NFB now? I believe there is a time to every purpose. NFB has come to me at a time when I can be an asset to it as it will remain to me. I have adopted a new attitude: You are only handicapped if you allow society or yourself to think that you are! One of the most important messages I gleaned from the convention came during one of President Maurer's speeches. He talked about being a butterfly in a storm. He talked about me! It was a beautiful analogy of my convention experience. I had been a caterpillar inching my way through life. I came to the convention in my cocoon so nothing could harm me. Slowly I emerged and, as I did so, a miraculous thing occurred; I became a beautiful butterfly. I spread my wings and made ready to fly forth with the message of the NFB. "We are the National Federation of the Blind. We are not an advocacy group. We are the voice of the blind. We are the blind speaking for ourselves! "Though my journey to spread the message may not always be an easy one, I will prevail because I am strong and I am not alone! I send a very special heartfelt thank you to the scholarship committee for allowing me the honor of being NFBW's 94 scholarship recipient. I also thank Bonnie Peterson. It is a true gift to know her. I am honored beyond words to have her as my mentor and most especially, my friend. WISCONSIN CHEESE GIFT BOX A Gift in Good Taste Imagine a food perfect for today's lifestyles. It would be great-tasting, nutritious, all- natural and ready to eat in an instant. Wisconsin's been making that food for more than a century. It's cheese! No other food comes in so many tempting varieties. It's a part of so many of our favorite meals from breakfast to a late-night snack. Cheese is a natural for today's healthy and hectic lifestyles. The facts about cheese tell an important nutrition story. The goodness of milk is concentrated when making cheese-ten pounds of milk are needed to create one pound of most varieties. Cheese is a natural dairy product, rich in calcium, protein and other essential nutrients. Nutritionists describe cheese as a "nutrient dense" food that's packed with nutrition. Today people are more interested than ever in the foods they eat. They want healthy, natural and delicious foods. Health professionals are encouraging Americans to adopt sensible eating habits. Also, new dietary guidelines are helping consumers choose food for a healthy lifestyle. This information was provided by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. The Wisconsin Cheese Gift Boxes contain NFB literature along with Wisconsin Cheese. The smaller (3 lb.) box contains one lb. of delicious Wisconsin Colby cheese, and one lb. each of America's-favorite Wisconsin mild and aged Cheddar cheese. The larger (5 lb.) box contains one lb. of delicious Wisconsin Colby cheese, one lb. of Monterey Jack cheese, and three lbs. of Wisconsin mild and aged cheddar cheese. These items are contained in a box with Holstein cows on the outside. ANNOUNCEMENTS Linda Mentink, First Vice-President of the NFB of Wisconsin, was elected President of the Music Division of the National Federation of the Blind at this year's annual convention. William Meeker, President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the NFB of Wisconsin was appointed in August to a three-year term on the Council on Blindness by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Service. This council advises state agencies on issues of blindness. Sheila Koenig, 1992 scholarship winner of the NFB of Wisconsin, was selected by the Cardinal Stritch English Department to receive the Michael Gilson Memorial Scholarship for academic merit. Ms. Koenig was also inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Society and the Sigma Caw Delta International Honor Society in English. David Ballman, Board member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the NFB Wisconsin, was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee on May 15, 1994. On June 17, 1994, at 12:04 p.m. Andrew Marc was born to Margie and Marc Watson. Andrew weighed 8 pounds and 11 1/2 ounces and measured 22 1/2 inches long. Christopher William Meeker born to Cheryl Orgas and Bill Meeker on October 8, 1993, attended his first NFB National Convention this July. Being a very friendly little Federationist, Christopher wanted his Dad and Mom to introduce him to all of the over two thousand conventioneers. WISCONSIN GIFT CHEESE BOX A Gift in Good Taste ORDER FORM Send your prepaid order of $14.95 for the 3 lb box or $19.95 for the 5 lb box within the continental United States to Wisconsin Gift Cheese BOX, 1612 winnebago Street, LaCrosse, wi, 54601, (608) 784-2343. For orders outside the continental United States add $15.00 per box. Payment can be made with check or money order. Thank you for your order from the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin. Orders received by December 10, 1994, will be shipped before Christmas. Sender Name: __________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _______ Zip code: __________ Receiver Name: _________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _______ Zip code: __________ Receiver Name: _________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _______ Zip code: __________ Receiver Name: _________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _______ Zip code: __________ Receiver Name: _________________________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _______ Zip code: __________ 1994 NFB OF WISCONSIN CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM The Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin will be held October 28 - 30, 1994 at the Inn on the Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The registration fee for the convention is $4 for each person preregistering and $6 for those registering after October 15. Registration will be available at the Convention but preregistering will help us provide you with better service. This form may NOT be used to reserve rooms with the hotel. Hotel reservations must be made on or before October 1, by calling (800) 279-8811 or (608) 257-8811 or writing, Inn on the Park, 22 South Carroll St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Be sure to say you are registering for the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin Convention. Costs for the Convention are as follows: Room Rates: $55.00 for one or two in a room. $63.00 two persons two beds. $71.00 for three or four in a room. A deposit of one night lodging is required if you will arrive after 6 p.m. Convention Registration: $4.00 in advance or $6.00 after October 15 Banquet Ticket $11.00. (names of persons registering)___________________________________________________________________ (address)___________________________(city)_______________(state)________(zip)______ Telephone Number (including area code)_________________________________________________________ Number of Persons Registering on this Form: ________________. Amount enclosed for Registration: ________________________. I require ______ banquet tickets and am enclosing $__________ to cover this cost. Total Amount Enclosed: __$________________________________ Please make checks payable to the National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin and send them with this form to: Miss Linda Mentink, 1737 Tamarack Lane, Janesville, WI 53545. I am bringing _____ child/children to child care at the convention. The age of my child/children ________________. I will use child care Friday Oct. 28_____ Saturday Oct. 29_____ Sunday Oct. 30_____. Comments____________________________________________________________________. If you would like more information about child care please contact Ms. Bernidette Krajewski, 304 N. Adams St. #719, Green Bay, WI 54301, (414) 435-6344.