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May 2006
It hasn't been long since we sent out the April issue of "Office News", so
I'm not sure how much I can find to write about.
The new Braille alphabet cards have finally arrived. I am told they look
very nice. They do have the MCB logo on the back of the card. So, if you
are participating in a fair or some such thing and plan to have an exhibit,
perhaps you would like to have us send you some of the new cards.
The Board did finish its work that was planned for the April 8 Board
meeting. It had to be finished by having a teleconference call on May 9.
Despite the streamlining of issues for the teleconference call, it still
took us two hours to finish everything.
One of the items dealt with on the teleconference call was proposed changes
for the Adaptive Technology Grants Program guidelines. The proposed
changes, which had been mailed to all Board members prior to the April 8
Board meeting, were approved.
Tony Moore, member-at-large in Nevada, Missouri, is working on organizing a
new MCB affiliate in that part of the state. Hopefully, they will be ready
to be chartered at our October Convention. You may recall that we have had
several affiliates in that part of the state but for various reasons they
have disbanded.
From time to time we have people coming to our door for a variety of
reasons. Just this week we have had four such visitors. One had a van load
of things he wanted to give to the Missouri Council of the Blind thrift
store. When we told him that we did not take those things at this location
and tried to give him the address of the thrift store he wasn't interested
and said he would just dump them somewhere. Another man came saying that he
wanted to volunteer to "help the blind". After talking with him, we told
him we didn't have a volunteer program. He said he didn't drive but didn't
go ahead to say why. In a third situation there were two men who came to
our door wanting to sell us art work. We told them we weren't interested as
it was noted that they had nothing with them to indicate that they were
selling anything. The fourth person was most interesting and we will have
an ongoing relationship with them.
Erin Kelly, who was that fourth person, is an actress and her husband is an
actor. They have a six year old son. They live in the neighborhood not far
from our office. Erin is a very interesting person. Her family background
has many medical people - pathologists, nurses, family physician, and more.
Erin and a sister are the only two who are not in the medical profession.
She referred to herself and her sister as mutants.
Erin, her husband, and a third person want to do the play "Molly Sweeney".
The play has three parts - two males and Molly Sweeney. Molly is an Irish
woman who is blind and has been from the age of ten months. The play takes
place when she is in her late thirties to early forties. She is married and
her husband wants her to have surgery, hoping that she will be able to see
again.
Since Erin is going to play the part of Molly Sweeney, she is very
interested in becoming familiar with how blind people have to do in their
daily lives. She will be visiting some of our affiliates to observe.
Erin, her husband, and their director will read the play on tape for me so I
can have a better understanding of it. She will get that to me in a couple
of weeks.
Erin and her family are members of a United Methodist Church on Watson Road
here in St. Louis. The church allows them to use their fellowship hall
since it has a stage and there is no cost to them for their use.
The play will be shown from September 21 through October 1 at the United
Methodist Church and she is eager for blind people to attend.
I will keep you updated as things progress.
In the April Office News I told you plans were to plant flowers in front of
the MCB building. That has been done. Impatiens of many colors have been
planted. They like lots of water and because there is an overhang over the
spot where they are planted, Tom has to water them frequently. Some of you
may know them by another name in addition to Impatiens. I believe my mother
said they were also called Sultanas.
The deadline has now passed for getting the ACB grant applications to the
office. We have a total of 62 applications. We expect to write those
checks the end of this month. So, if your plans have changed and you no
longer plan to go to Jacksonville, please let the office know so we don't
write a check and then have to void it.
We are trying something a little different with the large print Chronicle
this time. Hopefully, our new plan will make them more attractive as well
as reach our readers in a more timely manner.
On Saturday, May 13, Midtown Lions held a bingo/barbecue here at the MCB
building. The barbecue was a special treat for those who attended.
I have received a number of calls from visually-impaired Missourians who are
in need of securing computers so they can practice on them at home. RSB
will help people who need a computer for their employment, but that is at
the place of employment. Our Adaptive Technology Matching Grants program
does not allow for the purchase of the computer but rather for the adaptive
equipment which allows a visually-impaired person to be able to use the
computer.
Now it just takes the Governor's signature. The Legislature passed the
Appropriations bill which will give Blind Pension recipients a $31 a month
increase, effective July 1.
Just a reminder that the MCB office will be closed on May 29 in observance
of Memorial Day.
In just a few weeks some of you will be going to summer camp. We know you
will have a great time. Enjoy!
Till next month, count your blessings.
Beverly Armstrong
Executive Director
Missouri Council of the Blind
(314) 832-7172
ExecDir@MoBlind.org
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