First Impressions: My Conversion into Blindness

First Impressions: My Conversion into Blindness

The Braille Monitor

November,

2003

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My Second

National Convention and I Am Still Growing

by

Katrilla H. Martin

Katrilla

Martin

From the Editor: The

following article appeared in the summer 2003 issue of the Vigilant,

the publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia. Katrilla

Martin has been a member of the NFB for only a short time. However, she has

incorporated the positive philosophy of the Federation into her own and her

family's life. Now read about her experiences at her second convention, where

she was an NFB scholarship winner.

In October of 2001 I went

to my first NFB chapter meeting. It was in Fredericksburg (the chapter was only

a month old when I became a member). Blind people in Fredericksburg decided

it was time for them to become visible as an integral part of the small, conservative,

family-friendly community. One year later the new chapter's twenty core members

demonstrated our potential by hosting the NFB of Virginia's 2002 state convention

in our city. What a wonderful way to celebrate our chapter's first year.

I

hold the Virginia affiliate in high regard. Our state officers demonstrate effective

leadership through their dedicated effort, whether it's traveling several hundred

miles to attend a chapter function or meeting a financial need so that everyone

who would like to attend a convention can do so. I deeply appreciate their leadership.

Not

only are the state officers extraordinary, but the NFBV members are themselves

changing what it means to be blind by doing what they can to impart Federation

philosophy to loved ones, co-workers, colleagues, state agencies, and other

blind Virginians. Because of one of those members, Robert (Mac) McDonald, who

established a fellowship program, I had the opportunity to attend the 2002 NFB

national convention.

It

was my first national convention, and to say the very least, I was overwhelmed!

My family and I drove twelve hours from Fredericksburg to Louisville. It was

a beautiful drive through the mountain country of West Virginia.

Once

we checked in at the Hyatt Regency, we immediately went to the Galt House to

register. We visited the exhibit hall, the Sensory Safari, and the hotel's restaurant

before heading back to our room at the Hyatt. Nearly every day, we followed

the same pattern of activities and meetings. I would rise, dress, eat, and head

to the Galt House for sessions. My husband and son would meet me for lunch,

and we would all attend the afternoon activities. Most evenings I skipped dinner

because I wanted to attend every session possible. From the National Association

of Blind Students (NABS) meeting to the NFB-NEWSLINE demonstrations, I was there.

That

week I never met an unfriendly soul; I felt the love of my new NFB family. On

the drive home I remember feeling newly empowered, as if I bore the letters

"NFB" on my chest. At that convention I had felt like a member of

a majority, and I didn't feel embarrassed when my cane tapped the foot of a

sighted person. That new confidence took me well into the next summer when I

attended my second convention.

Oh

yeah, I was hooked. Although my second national convention was held in the same

city as my first, my experiences at the 2003 convention as a national scholarship

winner were very different. Yet the spirit of the Federation remained positive

and upbeat. No long hours of giving directions from the passenger seat of our

car--this time we flew to Kentucky. It was the first time flying for my son

and husband. I was reminded how much we still have to do to educate airline

employees. The flight attendant told my son and husband to make sure they mask

themselves first before helping the blind invalid. How surprised that crew member

was when I informed her that they would most likely need my assistance since

it was my umpteenth time flying, and I was certified in CPR, first aid, and

public emergency. My school, Mary Washington College, requires certification

in these skills.

At

this convention I vowed that I would pace myself. I focused on attending division

meetings, the state caucus, and convention sessions--all of which related to

my new status as a national scholarship winner. I didn't attend as many meetings

as I had the previous year, but I did pace myself and seemed to get more out

of each session. At the general sessions I was unable to yell from my home state;

however, I was able to do so from five other states while I followed my scholarship

mentors. As a scholarship winner I was assigned a daily mentor and sat with

that mentor's delegation that day. It was great to get to know Federationists

from New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii, Maryland, and Texas, but I missed

sitting with my fellow Virginians.

Highlights

from this convention included the close bonding of the 2003 national scholarship

winners, the banquet address, the interplay and jests between Dr. Maurer and

Door Prize Diane, the confidence behind our logo, Whozit, and the realization

that I am a living example of the NFB message the symbol embodies.

On

Friday, July 4, at 5:00 p.m. the convention ended too abruptly for me. On the

flight home I began to make my own resolutions. To begin with, I will become

more involved in my state's student division, distribute more NFB literature

whenever the opportunity arises, and enroll in an NFB-affiliated center to gain

proper training.

My experience in Louisville

was a fun-filled learning opportunity times two. Louisville will always

be special

to me because of that. As I lie in my bed wondering what is in store in HOT-lanta

in 2004, I fall asleep with two conventions under my belt and memories of

both

echoing in my head. I can still hear the phrases: "Excuse me, I didn't

mean to step on your dog. What state are you from?" "Get your Iowa

scissors!" "Which way to the general session?" "We won't

quit!" "Now, Mr. Gashel, he said that he would consider it."

"Get your Jernigan raffle tickets!" "How about a door prize,

Diane?"

"Katrilla Martin, Virginia, Virginia." "Get on the PAC Plan."

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