The senate has restored the medical coverage for the recipients of the blind pension in the current version of the budget, but the budget has not been finalized.  We encourage everyone to call or email the following representatives on the conference committee and urge them to keep the senate version of the restoration coverage for the blind.

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Chris Gray the Executive Director of the Missouri Council of the Blind was a guest on the Charlie Brennan show on KMOX radio in Saint Louis this morning.  They discussed the elimination of medical coverage for the recipients of the blind pension, which was cut from the Missouri House budget.  Also joining the discussion was Missouri State Senator Jim Lembke. 

Click here to listen to the KMOX radio interview.

Charlie Brennan also posted links to the Save Health Coverage for the Blind in Missouri online petition to his FaceBook and Twitter accounts.

Beginning tomorrow, a radio ad will be aired both in Jefferson City and Kansas City sponsored by the MIssouri Council of the Blind. The purpose of the ad is to focus listeners' attention on the attempt by Missouri lawmakers to stop Medicaid benefits for over 2,000 blind recipients in MIssouri. Click here to hear the ad.

The St. Louis Firing Squad will be hosting their 1st Annual National Beepbal Regional Tournament on June 22 through June 24 at the Concordia Seminary Athletic Fields in St. Louis.  Refreshments and Souvenirs will be sold. Bring a lawn chair and have a fun time! MCB will have a booth.

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Governor Jay Nixon met with approximately 100 blind Missouri residents at Services for Independent Living, 1401 Hathman Place, in Columbia. He spoke out strongly asking Missouri's House of Representatives to restore Medicaid cuts...

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On May 5, the United Workers for the Blind will be having its 100th anniversary celebration. It will take place at Pietro's Restaurant in St. Louis. The cost is $26 per person. Those who wish to attend should contact Beverly Shockley by April 21st. Beverly can be reached by phone at (314) 352-4233 and her e-mail address is dshockley21@sbcglobal.net.

Here is an update of the Class Action Litigation since the conference with Judge Joyce.  

First, the Judge heard arguments from both sides regarding the damages issue.  The State, as you might imagine, is arguing that it should be able to use the old and incorrect figures (DSS projections) to figure the damages for the time period 2001 to present.

We argued that actual figures should be used and the damages computations should be based upon these.  We indicated to the Judge that Dr. LePage (who was present) had done much of the work to determine damages.

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Several members of MCB lost their homes in the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011.  You can help by donating to the Missouri Council of the Blind Joplin Relief Fund.  Every dime collected will go directly to the victims of the tornado.  Please send your tax deductible donation to:

Joplin Relief Fund
Missouri Council of the Blind
5453 Chippewa
St. Louis, MO  63109

Congratulations to Bill Deaton, Lake Stockton Area Council of the Blind, chosen April's MCB's Member of the Month. Bill was nominated by Linda Dawes, Lake Stockton. Thank you Bill for all you do and for sharing your many talents with your affiliate and MCB. Following is Bill's nomination letter.

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Gregg Hollins, Allied Workers for the Blind, has been chosen Member of the Month for March, nominated by Shirley Brokaw. Congratulations Gregg and thanks for all you do for your community, your affiliate, MCB and ACB.  Following is Gregg's nomination letter.

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The St. Charles County Council of the Blind invites you to share an evening of fun and entertainment!   There will be CASH prizes, a raffle, 50/50, and a silent auction with many great items.  Feel free to bring food/snacks.  Beer and soda provided.

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Congratulations to Leroy Welch our February member of the month. Thanks to Leroy for all his dedicated years of service to MCB.  Following is Leroy's nomination letter.

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The Missouri Council of the Blind is seeking an Executive Director that will inspire and lead staff, board, membership, and community partners in meeting our mission to promote the general well-being of our members and legally blind people in Missouri, and to support or participate in other programs promoting the best interests of legally blind people everywhere.

For more information, please see the following Job Announcement...

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Congratulations to Tom Armstrong, St. Louis Council of the Blind, chosen as December's Member of the Month, nominated by Bill Benson. Thanks Tom for all you have done and continue to do for MCB. Following is Tom's nomination letter.

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Congratulations to Terrica Sanders, Blind of Central Missouri, chosen as December's Member of the Month, nominated by the Blind of Central Missouri. It is great to be able to honor someone like Terrica who has been so involved throughout her life with MCB and has done so much for our organization. Following is Terrica's nomination letter.

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Congratulations to Reba Carter our November member of the month. Following is Reba's nomination letter.

We would like to submit the name of Reba Carter for Member of the Month. Reba is a member of Blind of Central Missouri. Reba and Ken joined the club in the 70's.

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During the board meeting last night the board voted to increase the public relations budget by $2,000.00.

The board also voted to donate $2,000.00 to the Midwest Conference to be held in August of 2011. This money will come out of the donation line item of the budget.

The board also voted to support the St. Louis Society of the Blind and to be a co-sponsor in their 100 year anniversary celebration. Our level of sponsorship will be the Ann Sullivan level of $2,500.00. More information about this event will be posted later.

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LEARN ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR VISION LOSS

Join Freedom Scientific and Nanopac at a location near you for an informative Low Vision Awareness Day and discover the benefits of using electronic vision aids and software to improve activities of daily living at home, school, the work place or just about anywhere.

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October's Member of the Month is Celita White, nominated by John and Donna Weidlich and Don and Bev Shockley, Members of United Workers for the Blind. Congratulations and thank you Celita for all that you have done and do for MCB and your affiliate. Following is Celita's nomination letter.

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MCB, together with M & I Bank, is pleased to offer the first of what we hope will be several free informational/educational programs for our members.

Our first program will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the MCB Office. The topic will be Protecting Your Identity and will include information of new forms of identity theft and steps that can be taken to prevent having your identity stolen.

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During the MCB Convention last week I spoke about the "Ready in 3" program from the State of Missouri.   To receive free information on this emergency preparedness program, you can visit their web site at:

http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3

Or by calling (573) 526-4768. The information is available in several formats including Braille. Let me know if you have any problems ordering and I will assist you in any way I can.

Thank you,

Bunny Maginnis - Chairman
Emergency Preparedness Committee
bmag45@fidnet.com

Greetings MGDU Members and Friends:

I Nick Whitney, (with guide Cherub a 6 year old yellow lab) announce my candidacy for President of MGDU. For those of you that don't know me let me take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I was born in St. Louis, and graduated from the Missouri School for the blind. I lived in St. Louis until 1985 when I moved to Florida for employment. This is where I started my career in transportation management. In 1990, I became the first blind Certified Transit Manager in the country. I was a general manager in a countywide system for 12 years, and general manager in Charleston SC for 3 years. In 2004, I returned to Missouri to start my own business. I currently
own Show-Me Distributors a company that sells products for the blind, in Jefferson City.

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Dear MGDU Members,

My name is Judy Burch, and this message is to let you all know that I have decided to run for secretary of MGDU.  One reason that I have decided to do so is that Nick Whitney asked me to run for this position, and I have a lot of faith in Nick's abilities to lead MGDU forward.  

I am blind and have been using guide dogs since the age of 17.  I am currently working with Indy, my 4-year-old German shepherd whom I received from The Seeing Eye in Sept., 2008. 

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Here is an update regarding the present status of the appeal in the case Gerken v. Sherman, Case No. 06AC-CC00123-01, which is pending before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

This case, as you know, was appealed by the Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, State of Missouri, in May 2010, after the Court-appointed Special Master, Dr. James LePage, PhD., CPA, determined that the State owed the class approximately $19 million plus prejudgment interest of approximately $11 million and after the Circuit Court adopted Dr. LePage's report and findings as the Court's judgment against the State of Missouri.

The total due the class, according to the Order of the Court, is approximately $22 million. This leaves about $7.4 million for repayment to MCB, payment to Saint Louis University, and payment to our attorney. The judgment is earning interest at a rate equal to about $2.7 million per year or over $220,000 per month.

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Congratulations to Bev Shockley for winning September's Member of the Month Award.

Thanks Bev for all you do and have done for the MCB. Bev was nominated by Queen City Council of the Blind and Ozark Association of the Blind. Following is Bev's nomination letter.

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Hello guide dog users and supporters! I am Terrie Arnold and I am running for office in the Missouri Guide Dog Group. To my credit I have been along time guide dog user, and currently, I have three dogs. My Dog Guide is a six-year-old Boxer by the name of Jared, who is a fantastic dog Guide. We have been traveling successfully to many an occasion, event or just for walking around our neighborhood?

I have been an active member of the following: Guide Dog User Incorporated, American Council for the Blind, and the treasurer of the past (Heartland Guide Dog group!) My current strengths are being involved with The Wolfner Advisory Board; past Director of American Council for the Blind library Board, and being an advocate for The Women's Concern's Committee!

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Here is a list of the door prizes we will be giving away at the ATI annual meeting this year. My thanks to Nick Whitney for letting us have these items at a discounted cost.

To be eligible for one of these door prizes you will need to be a paid  member of the Adaptive Technology special interest affiliate and of course be in attendance at the meeting.

1 Talking Exact Cooking & All Ppurpose thermometer
1 Double Spatula
2 Talking Calculator/Alarm Music Box
1 Designer talking Atomic Clock/Calendar

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After the MCB banquet on Saturday evening, October 16, 2010 at 9 p.m., the Braille Revival League will be staging a Braille reading contest. Anyone who believes themselves to be a pretty good Braille reader is welcome to be a participant. Contestants will be given a Brailed paragraph to read aloud after a minute or so to read it over to themselves. The only criteria judges will have as to who is the best Braille reader will be the presentation and delivery given by the contestant. First prize will be $50, second prize $30, and third prize $20. Those who would like to come just to listen and observe the contest are most welcome.

Paul Matthews from Wolfner Library will be officiating at the contest, and participants need not sign up or register ahead of time; just show up and announce a desire to be a contestant.

The white cane is not just a tool that can be used to achieve independence; it is also a symbol of the blind citizens in our society. To honor the many achievements of blind and visually impaired Americans and to recognize the white cane's significance in advancing independence, we observe October 15 of each year (alternately, the Saturday prior) as "White Cane Safety Day." Today, the white cane works both, as a tool for the blind as well as a symbol, but this has not always been the case. Throughout history, the cane, staff, and stick have existed as traveling aids for the blind and visually impaired.

Dating back to biblical times records show that a shepherd's staff was used as a tool for solitary travel. The blind used such tools to alert them to obstacles in their path.

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I would like to take this opportunity to announce my plan for re-election to the MCB Board as your First Vice-President. As a child growing up in the state of Missouri, I learned of MCB early in life. AT the age of 18, I became a member of my local chapter, where I immediately began the journey of representing MCB in various capacities. I quickly became membership chair and then after a single term, I was challenged with the task of being a young president in an organization full of mature mentors, who guided me along the way . During this time, I was instrumental in creating what is now known as the Youth Hospitality held annually at our state convention. I also assisted in creating the Youth Sponsorship program with the task of encouraging the future of MCB to learn all they can about this our great organization.

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The complete convention agenda from Thurdsay, October 14 through Sunday, October 17, 2010.

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I am herein declaring my candidacy for the office of first Vice president of the Missouri Council of the Blind. Because I believe in the democratic process and wish to be of service to my new state affiliate, I am offering my skills as a consensus builder, creative thinker and my energy to The Missouri Council of the Blind so that there will be a choice in filling this vital support position. I moved to Missouri four years ago and shortly thereafter lost my heart to my new home state. The generosity and warmth of Missouri citizens impressed me greatly. I have been an active member of ACB for thirty years, serving at local, state and national affiliate levels. I was elected for two terms to the board of publications of ACB and chose not to seek a third term when I closed my business and moved to Missouri. I live two miles outside Fulton with my husband of forty years, our youngest daughter and her three children. I am totally blind, a guide dog user and a life member of both ACB and GDUI.

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The 2010 MCB convention is shaping up to be one of the best that we have ever experienced. My thanks to Linda Gerkens, president of the Blind of Central Missouri host affiliate and to Susan Sanderson, convention coordinator for all of the work they have put into planning this convention. Of course they were assisted by many other members to help pull this off and my thanks goes out to all of them also. I can't leave out the office staff of MCB for the work they have done in coordinating all of the information that has flooded into the office over the past several weeks. Virginia and Eleanor have made good use of the data base program we now use to give us any data we need about not only the convention, but membership in general. My hat is off to all of you!

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I think that most of you would agree that Missouri is arguably the best state that a blind person could live in. We are the only state that has a blind pension, the only state that has a program offered by Missouri Assistive Technology similar to the TAP-I and TAP for Telephone. We have a great Rehab Services for the Blind and we have of course, the Missouri Council of the Blind, one of the largest and most influential affiliates of the American Council of the Blind... All of these organizations and programs are not by accident but rather by work that was done in the past by many members of MCB. People such as Alma Murphy, Ellis Forshee, Nathaniel Johnson and Darrell Lauer, to name a few.

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Greetings MCB members:

I, (Gregg Hollins), am announcing my candidacy to run for president of The Missouri Council of the Blind, at its 2010 Convention at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Missouri. The majority of you know who I am, so I will keep this short.

Throughout the last year or so, many MCB members have encouraged me to run for president. After much consideration, consultation with family, and respected friends, I have decided to come forward with my announcement and ask for your support.

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Congratulations to Eujean Dody, Lake Stockton Area Council of the Blind, August's winner of The Member of the Month Award. Thanks Eujean for all you have done for your affiliate and MCB. Eujean was nominated by Linda Coccovizzo. Following is Eujean's nomination letter.

To the Member of the Month Committee

It is an honor for me to place the name of Eujean Dody for nomination for MCB Member of the Month. Lake Stockton's affiliate has played quite an active part in MCB for many years.

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Here are the highlights of last night's board conference call.

The board voted to donate $660.00 to the St. Louis Council towards the production cost of 6000 flyers. The total cost is $1,320.00 of which the St. Louis Council will pay the balance. The flyers are on a 5 x 7 card stock and display a message for drivers to make a point of pausing for blind pedestrians using a white cane or a guide dog. The flyers will be distributed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol throughout Missouri.

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July's Member of the Month is Cheryl Anthony, Allied Workers for the Blind, nominated by Gregg Hollins. Congratulation Cheryl. We appreciate all you do for MCB and your affiliate.

I would like to present Cheryl Anthony for consideration for the member of the month award. Cheryl has been a long time member of Allied Workers for the Blind, (AWB) as well as a charter member of The County Line Council of the Blind, (CLC).

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Dear MCB members,

My name is Janelle Edwards. I am announcing my candidacy for MCB Secretary.

Since moving to Missouri in 2006, my service to MCB and its affiliates in numerous positions has prepared me to be MCB Secretary. The Springfield Service Club of the Blind elected me to the office of Secretary for the club bylaw imposed maximum of two terms--ending in August 2010. In October, I will complete my first term as the Missouri Guide Dog Users (MGDU) Secretary.

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Congratulations to Carl Franklin, Blind of Central Missouri, chosen as June's Member of the Month. Thank you Carl for all you have done for your affiliate and the MCB. Following is Carl's nomination letter.

The Blind of Central Missouri would like to nominate a charter member of our Club as member of the month. Carl Franklin with some of his friends many years ago set out to organize and establish a club for the blind and visually impaired people of this community.

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