by Miss Ruth
The New Jersey Council of the Blind’s mission is to strive for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired community. The purpose of this publication is to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information that concern blind and visually impaired people.
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President’s Message:
by Sabastian Warren
Happy July, New Jersey Council of the Blind!
As we embark on the third quarter of the year, I am delighted to share some exciting updates and accomplishments with you.
Firstly, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Vidhi Raval, the recipient of this year’s Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship. I commend the scholarship committee for their diligent efforts in selecting such a deserving candidate. Special thanks go to Wanda Williford for her exemplary work in conducting applicant interviews and chairing the scholarship committee.
Our fundraising committee has also achieved remarkable success, raising over $1,400.00 through the Double Good Popcorn fundraiser. This effort has resulted in more than $700.00 being allocated to support our scholarship program. I would like to acknowledge Barbara Plunkett for her dedication in setting up and maintaining the fundraising website, which played a crucial role in this achievement.
I deeply appreciate the support of everyone who contributed to the fundraiser and the unwavering commitment of our committee members. Your hard work and dedication have made these successes possible.
As this message reaches you, I will be attending the American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) National Convention. I assure you that I will represent the New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) with our members' best interests at heart in the voting for the ACB Board of Directors and Board of Publications members.
The summer heat presents significant challenges, particularly for those with visual impairments. Procuring efficient and affordable assistance for home weatherization and repairs is often difficult. Personally, I was fortunate to receive help from a family member to install air conditioners, but I recognize that many do not have such support. Finding companies to assist with tasks such as air conditioner installation and filter cleaning can be daunting. Beyond air conditioning, there are various home repairs that are challenging for visually impaired individuals to manage.
Living on a fixed income, many of us often must forgo essential services that others might take for granted. This brings us to the crucial theme of advocacy. We must establish an advocacy committee to devise strategies to secure resources for those with visual impairments. Additionally, forming a membership committee will strengthen our collective voice and amplify our efforts. Together, we can achieve great things.
I extend my gratitude to all the volunteers who dedicate their time to our meetings and support of each other. Your contributions are invaluable. However, we need more volunteers to help us spread our message. The NJCB must become a formidable advocate.
July Quarterly Meeting Notice
Our July Quarterly meeting will be held by conference call on Saturday,
July 27, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Call 719-300-3278, no passcode required.
Our guest speaker
Jonathan Marriot
Jonathan is the Director of Partnerships at AccessNow, championing initiatives to enhance accessibility across both natural and built environments. With a background in accessible transportation, the accessibility of built environments and the outdoors, and the creation of accessibility standards and guidelines, Jonathan employs a holistic approach to ensure sustained community involvement.
As an active community leader, Jonathan is the Neurodiversity & Mental Health Community Lead for North America at Open Inclusion and a founding member of the Global Accessibility and Inclusion Leadership Summit in Israel. His expertise in accessibility advocacy is further demonstrated through his role as the 2022 Chair of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit for the Toronto Transit Commission and his current participation in the Metrolinx Accessibility Advisory Committee. Jonathan also dedicates time as a Vision Mate Volunteer at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Additionally, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Accessible Standards Canada Accessible Travel Journey Standards Committee.
Holding a master's degree in business management, Jonathan is a certified Access Professional and an active member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
2024 Scholarship Finalist
Announcing our 2024-25 Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship Winner
NJCB is proud to announce the winner for the Bernard Zuckerman Scholarship Award for the 2024-25 school year. Please join us in congratulating Vidhi Raval.
Currently, Vidhi is a Senior attending Rutgers University, majoring in Journalism, minoring in Psychology. She is taking summer courses and will complete her undergraduate degree in September of 2024. Vidhi has been accepted to Rutgers Master's program and plans to work in digital social media for a Fortune 500 company, when she graduates. She was drawn to journalism because of her desire to tell other people's stories. She is interested in directing digital social media content for companies and assuring that the content is accessible for the blind community. She is currently acting as a consultant for the cosmetic company, Estee Lauder, helping them to create and maintain an accessible website. She is extremely proud of being accepted to graduate school, at the age of 20 while simultaneously finishing her undergraduate degree.
Vidhi is a passionate advocate and has been doing so her entire life.
In addition to her full-times studies, Viddy works as an intern for the edge program where she works 15 hours per week. She became aware of our scholarship via the Edge Program and NJCB member, Perry Sandler. She enjoys helping other Edge students as a peer-to-peer counselor.
No Matter How Great the Loss (Vision, Limb, Loved One, Etc.), You are Not Alone
by Miss Ruth
Hello, dear hearts! Miss Ruth here. I know this is a strange way to open an article, but, as I was scooping my cat’s litter box this morning, I thought, Oh joy, another job for Mom! Then I realized that I wasn't complaining but smiling. Okay, odd, I know. Smiling while scooping a litter box? Who does that?
Someone who knows it’s a sacred task to tend to those we love. Sure, it’s a grind sometimes, but we get so much in return.
Change one letter and it’s not my job. It’s a joy.
As I scooped, I remembered how Squeaky had approached me today as he does every morning around 7 AM, and emitted his meow-version of “Hellllloooooooo?”
And I said, "Squeaks, I need to sleep longer today. Please come back later."
And he did! Have you never known a cat to listen like that?
Normally, he would hang out, stupefied that I had not sprung up to attend to his needs instantly! He'd stalk around the room and shake his head so that the bell on his collar would ring. Repeatedly. Till I got up and fed him.
Not so today. It was as if he knew I was wrung out (sort of a bell pun there) and weary to my bones.
Did he know I’d been crying in jags throughout the last few days because a dear friend had lost her son? I can’t say. But I know that he knew enough to give me space when I needed it and comfort when I sat on the couch. He was Johnny-on-the-spot, right in my lap every time I slumped onto the sofa like a sack of potatoes. I felt spent.
I’d never had the privilege of meeting her son, but my friend, Elsa Zavoda, has been a blessing and a champion for me and so many others in the vision loss community.
She and the co-leader of our support group, the wonderful Larissa Steinberg, had been among the first to welcome me into the community of people who are living with vision loss.
The first meeting I attended of the Low Vision Support Group (LVSG) of Somerset was in 2019 and I knew right away: This was my village.
Each meeting opened with an uplifting affirmation, and someone would volunteer to read it. It was printed out in large font for those who still had some usable vision.
At the second meeting I attended, we had guest speakers - representatives from the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind. Our own Joyce and Steve Sowa were the representatives of ACB at this meeting!
I don’t know what came over me - a shy, introverted, mostly house-bound, disabled lady - but I actually volunteered to read the affirmation. I was still somewhat nervous about it, because of the quirky particulars of my vision.
I’m blind in my right eye and have low vision with a roaming blind patch in my left eye. This meant I would have to move the sheet of paper with the affirmation up and down, left and right, to see past the blind patch as it moved in my eye, in what would appear to be some goofy, arms-only choreography. I felt a little bit self-conscious, but I read the whole thing.
When I was done, I was offered a chorus of “Atta-girl!” and “Way to go!” by the members. They cheered for me because they could see it wasn’t something I was used to doing. It was a moment where it was okay to have limitations. I would go so far as to say I was celebrated for doing this difficult thing. You can do it! You’re still you, my mind was saying.
So, this is the moment I thought of when I first heard that Elsa had unexpectedly lost her teenage son, Collin.
In a beautiful/painful circle-of-life moment, I’m going to minister to Elsa every chance I get, using the words of wisdom she shared with me when I was grieving yet another transition in my vision.
The LVSG is populated by a plethora of wise souls who share their compassion and care: besides co-leaders, Elsa and Larissa, we've also got Tracey Simon, our group’s Chief Inspiration Officer (a term I gave her - nobody really stands on ceremony in our informal group) and Sam Hendrickson (paradoxically, both a comedian and a sage philosopher) who are both peer counselors at Eye2Eye, a peer-to-peer support program for those with vision loss administered by Rutgers. These are some of the stalwarts who offer support and a listening ear.
Here are some of the things these beautiful people have taught me through the years:
You’re still whole and welcome and valued, even if you are missing something. You may lack vision, or a limb, or some other element that society says you must possess to be Instagram-ready, but we’ve got you. We’ve got your back.
So, listen to your Kindly Auntie, dear hearts. You may be missing many things, even someone you love. And you’ll be missing them for the rest of your life. But what won’t be missing is all they have meant to you, and you to them. It’s a trite cliché to say they live on in your hearts, but they do.
They also leave behind some portion of their energy in the actions others take because they were touched by this beloved individual.
It will make them hug their own kids, even if their 25-year-old son is 6'4" and you, the mom, are 5'4", so you'll be hugging them with your face in their armpit. Not ideal, but the love is real!
It will remind them to pursue that cherished dream they had put on a shelf until that nebulous “Someday, I’ll get to it” arrives. Spoiler alert: Someday has arrived. Get to it, dear heart!
It will inspire them to write openly emotional articles for the New Jersey Council of the Blind's Chronicle publication so Elsa knows for sure how much she is loved, and by extension, how much her son is loved.
Nobody comes into the world on their own, and no one leaves it alone. We can love them even after they are gone from this plane.
We can talk to them even now and share how we feel. We're mad at them for leaving us. That’s honest. We're confused as to why they are gone. We're wondering if it could have turned out differently in some way.
Those questions are in Higher Hands; the answers we have in the here and now are found in each other.
You have a village. Just look around. Even if you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it with your heart.
And if you believe, as I do, we’ll be with our loved ones again, in some way, on some frequency, in some better place, then that alone is reason for hope. It can help you find the strength to go on in the face of such a great loss.
If I may, dear readers, I’d like to ask a favor. If you’ve loved and lost anyone (or anything for that matter, including your sight) and you have the means, please consider making a donation to the family’s GoFundMe.
The small comforts we can share with each other in our limited time on this planet can add up and make a big difference.
Bless your hearts, beloved! This is your Kindly Auntie, Miss Ruth (servant to Squeaky, who is sitting on the couch as I type this, slow blinking in my direction. Anyone with a cat will know, that’s a lovely thing) sending you a hug and reminding you: You are not alone.
Take care,
Miss Ruth Vision Loss Community Advocate
Miss Ruth Here!
Chapter News
Mercer County Happenings!
By Wanda Williford
Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and beach tunes, are all hallmarks of a great summer In New Jersey. The crack of the bat ripping the cover off the ball and the unmistakable aroma of hot dogs sizzling on a charcoal grill, are sure signs summer is in full swing. The Mercer County Association of the Blind plans on partaking in all of those staples in the summer of 2024. Although technically we take a break from meetings during July and August, the fun and fellowship continues all season long.
The boys of Summer will help us usher in the fun on July 25, 2024. Several MCAB members will grab their baseball caps and sunscreen to join, the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired at their annual event at the Trenton Thunder stadium. The Commission will pay tribute to and honor the blind community of New Jersey. Can't wait to hear the announcer yell “Play Ball!"
Next up, we will eat, drink and be merry. Our annual summer celebration will take place on Saturday August 3, 2024 from noon to 4:00 p.m. This year's picnic will be a fun filled event. Yummy food, door prizes, and live entertainment will combine for a party to remember. Singer, Lynne Lockamy, will dazzle us with covers of Tina Turner's songs and more. Our indoor picnic will be held at The Elks Lodge 42 Decou Ave. Ewing, NJ 08628. Guests are welcome to join us. Please contact Wanda Williford, @ (609) 375-6 682 for additional details and to RSVP. The indoor celebration guarantees the show will go on, rain or shine.
Our summer homework assignment includes preparing for the upcoming national election in November. The preparation will take place in two phases. First, we will hold a voter registration drive at our picnic on August 3rd. The League of Women Voters of Greater Mercer County will join us to provide information on the various ways to vote in the election and to register folks. Second, they will attend our in-person September meeting and demonstrate the latest iteration of the accessible voting machine that is utilized in Mercer County. We will have the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the voting equipment prior to going to the polls. It is very important that our community is able to cast our vote and have our political voices heard.
To wrap up the summer activities, MCAB will hold a virtual “Town Hall” with Access Link. General Manager, Namecca Parker, will join us to provide updates on the Riders Choice Program and information on the many recent changes at Access Link. The fare hikes, scheduling options and the new cancellation policy are sure to be topics covered during our discussion. And there will be a Q&A session to allow members to ask those burning questions.
MCAB members have an action packed summer to look forward to. Dancing at our picnic, cheering for a line drive and munching on a mustard covered dog will be the answer when we are asked, “What did you do this summer?” See you in September!
Check out the NJCB Facebook Page
NJCB is on Facebook. Anyone interested in contributing to the success of this page please send your ideas and posts to our email address at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com Please note all posts must be related to activities relating to your membership with NJCB or its affiliates. The page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/2255314534793147/. Just search for New Jersey Council of the Blind in Facebook.
Save The Date
Saturday October 22nd Time and Location TBD
Saturday January 25th Time and Location TBD
Saturday April 26th Time and Location TBD
The NJCB Chronicle is also available on Newsline. If you do not have a Newsline subscription, contact Reader Services at the New Jersey Talking Book and Braille Center at (800) 792-8322 to get signed up for a Newsline subscription. Four quarterly newsletters are sent to members free of charge by E-mail. You may obtain the current and back issues of the Chronicle and other information from our web site www.njcounciloftheblind.org . Feel free to write us at njcounciloftheblind@gmail.com.
The New Jersey Council of the Blind (NJCB) is a 501 (c) 3 corporation. Much appreciated tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Treasurer of NJCB.
The NJCB officers are.
President, Sabastian Warren (609) 672-7059
1st Vice President, Wanda Williford (609) 375-6682.
2nd Vice President, Lisha Pottackal (215) 948–2210
Secretary, Dan Bausch
Treasurer, Steve Sowa (848) 999-2079 or by mail to PO Box 434, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
NOTE: Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the New Jersey Council of the Blind officers and/or members. The editor reserves the right to edit articles submitted for both space and content.
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