'American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention 2019 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Our Convention Adventures
by Nancy Horst
From the Editor: For first-time attendees, the NFB National Convention can be thrilling and filled with opportunities, but the experience can be overwhelming, too. In this article Nancy Horst of Louisiana writes about what convention means to her and her young daughter.
My daughter, Kayleigh, got her first pair of glasses when she was nine months old. At that time we didn't realize just how limited her vision was. She went to pre-K and then to kindergarten, and she struggled to read. Before she started first grade, she was evaluated by Janet Bernhardt, a teacher of blind students. Janet told us that Kayleigh was legally blind, and she needed to learn Braille.
When we received that news, our lives began to change. We went to the Louisiana Center for the Blind (LCB) in Ruston, and we met many wonderful people there. I started taking Kayleigh to Braille Club after school. At first she didn't understand why she had to learn Braille. But as time went on she realized that she does need Braille and all the other things she is being taught.
Toward the end of the school year, several people told me about the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind, and they asked if we would be interested in going. The convention was being held in Orlando, Florida. I thought it would be a wonderful experience for Kayleigh and me to go, but I didn't know how I would ever afford it. That's when I was told about the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund. Pam Allen, director of the LCB, wrote a letter of recommendation for us. I am very grateful that we received funding to attend the convention.
The first time at a national convention can be an overwhelming experience. There is so much to do, and there are so many people. Kayleigh loved the huge hotel! Seeing so many blind individuals traveling with their canes was truly an awesome experience for both of us.
On our first night at convention we went to the Rookie Roundup, an orientation for first-time attendees. We got to meet lots of people who were also new to the convention, including other parents and their children.
One of my favorite convention moments was when President Mark Riccobono sat down on the floor at the front of the conference room with the kids. He asked them questions and just talked to them. It was so much fun!
Another stand-out moment for me occurred in General Session, when they introduced the blind veterans. There are many veterans in my family, including my father and grandfather. It's great to see the veterans recognized!
The main agenda for the week told us when and where most of the events and activities were taking place. In addition, I got the agenda for activities sponsored by the parents' division, the NOPBC. There was so much packed into one week!
Convention was a completely awesome experience. We tried to do as many things as we possibly could. The Cane Walk was a fantastic opportunity. It gave me the chance to put on learning shades and use a cane with the guidance of an orientation and mobility instructor. As a fully sighted person I could experience what my child does during training. I will tell you, the learning shades are not my favorite thing! But the amount of knowledge I gained and the people I met are phenomenal!
Kayleigh made lots of friends at NFB Kids' Camp. I met many fantastic parents who were going through the same things we were. All of us were trying to figure out IEPs and determine what is best for our children. I have kept in touch with several people we met at convention, which is all the more reason to return the next year.
After everything I learned in Orlando, I was determined to go to the NFB convention again the following year—and every year after that, if possible! But convention can be expensive for families like ours. By the time we attended the 2019 convention in Las Vegas, I had learned some ways to keep the costs down. Here are some ideas. Plan ahead!
- If you drive to convention, find someone to go with you. My husband couldn't go with us the first two years we went to Orlando, so my cousin, Selena Jameson, went along to share the driving. As an added bonus, her daughter, Lilly, also went along. Lilly and Kayleigh are the same age, so they kept each other company.
- If you drive to convention, bring an ice chest. You can use it to store food and drinks for your road trip.
- Restaurants in the convention hotel can be quite expensive. Buy drinks and groceries to take with you, or get supplies after you arrive. We ate lunch in our room most days, and sometimes we had supper in our room as well.
- You may even be able to cook some meals in your room. Some families bring a crock pot to convention so they can enjoy a home-cooked meal.
The people of the NFB are some of the nicest people you will ever encounter. I'm so thankful to have found my Federation family! My daughter is getting what she needs, and she will grow up with blind mentors who have the knowledge to help her achieve her goals in life. I plan to attend convention every year for as long as I possibly can. I gain information for myself and my child, and I hope to pass on what we learn to new families that are just starting out.
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