American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention 2017 NOPBC AWARDS AND OTHER HONORS
Twig Awards
Presented by Carol Castellano, Jean Bening, and Kim Cunningham
Introduction by Carol Castellano: "As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined." These words from Alexander Pope are the inspiration behind the title of several awards presented by the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. The NOPBC initiated the Twig Awards at our twenty-fifth anniversary banquet in 2008 to honor those whose work has influenced the direction in which our children grow.
That first year we presented twenty-six awards, one for each year of our existence and one to grow on. In the years since, we've continued to give awards to those whose work has changed the lives of our children.
The award itself is a medallion engraved with a tree and the words "As the Twig Is Bent Award" and "NOPBC Since 1983." The word NOPBC appears in Braille and print. On the back of the medallion are the recipient's name and the year. This year we will present four Twig Awards.
Ron Gardner
[Presented by Carol Castellano]
Anyone who has been active in Parents of Blind Children at the state level knows the critical importance of the NFB affiliate president to the health and success of the parents' division in that state. Our first Twig Award honors a longtime NFB state president, someone who has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of blind adults and blind children and their families in Utah.
I don't know if you've ever met Ron Gardner. If you haven't, I hope you will. His warmth, friendliness, positive attitude, energy, and love of people will make you have a brighter day.
During Ron's long tenure as president of the NFB of Utah, the parents' division thrived. He gave support at every level—from sincere compassion and concern to helping parents get to state and national conventions, holding state seminars, and integrating parents and parent issues into convention agendas. Ron also volunteered to present the finances workshop at our Parent Leadership Training Seminars for many years. Ron’s love and caring for blind children and their families have been extraordinary.
Jeff Altman
[Presented by Jean Bening]
Our next Twig Award winner is another true friend of blind children and their families. Most of us know this person through the NOPBC Cane Walks at our national conventions. Originally recruited by Joe Cutter in 2001, he has participated in every Cane Walk since. For several years he has served as the coordinator of the walks, recruiting our volunteer instructors, providing the introductory lesson, and going out with families to teach. With his warm, welcoming personality and his empowering message, he is a favorite each year with families in their evaluations. Jeff Altman, would you come up to the front?
Jeff has lots of letters after his name, like those showing a master's degree and national certification. But he will tell you that what is really important in a cane teacher is knowing how to travel independently, knowing how to teach, and being able to empower students through exploration and the Structured Discovery Method.
We often hear on plaques in the NFB that a person's contribution is measured not in steps, but in miles. For Jeff Altman, this is quite literally true. Congratulations, Jeff, and thank you!
Jean Bening
[Presented by Carol Castellano]
Our next recipient has the distinction of being the only member of the NOPBC board to serve continuously from Barbara Cheadle's presidency through Kim Cunningham's current presidency. She is a quiet, unassuming, modest individual who never asks for any public attention or glory, and she's probably going to kill us for doing this!
Jean Bening works behind the scenes to make every project she is involved with the best it can possibly be. She figures out what needs to be done and just does it. One example is procuring prizes for our NOPBC activities—she is a wonder! Another is our Cane Walk—every year it gets better and better due to Jean’s energy and organizational abilities.
Our lives and the lives of all blind children and their families have been enriched by Jean's efforts. Jean, here is your Twig Award.
Megan Bening
[Presented by Kim Cunningham]
Our next Twig Award is given in memory of a very special person, Megan Bening. Receiving the award for Megan is her mother, Jean Bening. Megan passed away shockingly and unexpectedly in January, at the age of twenty-two. But we'd like to tell you about Megan's life.
Megan was first introduced to the NFB as a preschooler in Minnesota, when her TVI asked her if she'd like to be a Slate Pal with another little girl in California named Kyra Sweeney. The girls exchanged Braille letters for months, but after they exchanged phone numbers, that was the end of letters and the beginning of lots of phone conversations.
Kyra and her family convinced Megan and her mom and dad to check out the NFB convention. When the girls finally met in 2002, a lifelong friendship and tradition were born.
Megan's independence blossomed from that very first convention when she ventured out, at eight years old, to buy breakfast for the family. She was successful, too. With the loving encouragement of her mom and dad, this adventurous girl grew to be an adventurous, competent, self-confident teen and young woman. She enjoyed traveling, skiing, and, yes, jumping out of airplanes to sky dive.
Megan was a computer expert who majored in IT and was continuing her education in a master's program. Her work as a computer specialist took her to the Netherlands, and she was scheduled to make a presentation in Spain. Her dream was to become a white hat hacker, helping large corporations plug holes in their computer security systems.
Megan combined her computer skills, her leadership ability, and her passion for helping others and changing the lives of blind people. She was a technology and life skills mentor to others, and in the summers she worked as a counselor at BISM [Blind Industries and Services of Maryland] and the Colorado Center for the Blind. She was always willing to help the parents' division, leading sessions and making presentations for us.
Megan made friends everywhere she went and kept them throughout her life. She had the magic combination—friends, family, meaningful work, and lots of laughter and fun.
We're so sad that this girl with the beautiful smile is gone from us so soon, but we're very glad for every minute we had with her. Jean wrote that many think that at age twenty-two people are just approaching the prime of life. But for Megan, the prime of her life happened all through her twenty-two years. She had strength, confidence, and a true zest for life. We will always miss her. Jean and Al, here is the Twig Award for Megan. [Applause]
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