The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXIII May 2025 No. 9 Published by the American Council of the Blind ***** * Be A Part of ACB The American Council of the Blind (TM) is a membership organization made up of more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates. To join, contact the national office at 1-800-424-8666. * Contribute to Our Work Those much-needed contributions, which are tax-deductible, can be sent to Attn: Treasurer, ACB, 6200 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Suite 155, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430. If you wish to remember a relative or friend, the national office has printed cards available for this purpose. Consider including a gift to ACB in your Last Will and Testament. If your wishes are complex, call the national office. To make a contribution to ACB by the Combined Federal Campaign, use this number: 11155. * Check in with ACB For the latest in legislative and governmental news, call the "Washington Connection" 24/7 at 1-800-424-8666, or read it online. Tune in to ACB Media at www.acbmedia.org. Learn more about us at www.acb.org. Follow us on Twitter at @acbnational, or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/acbnational. Copyright 2025 American Council of the Blind Scott Thornhill, Executive Director Sharon Lovering, Editor 225 Reinekers Ln., Suite 660, Alexandria, VA 22314 ***** ** Table of Contents 2025 Convention Snippets, by Janet Dickelman Seeking Volunteers for the 2025 Information Desk, by Cecily Laney Nipper The 2025 ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk: Step by Step Together, by Katie Frederick Paving the Way for Everyone's Future, by Doug Powell Our Octogenarian Odyssey, by Janet DiNola Parmerter Man's Best Friend Plus 2, by Anthony Corona Riding the Roller Coaster of Life, by Melody Holloway Where There's A Will There's A Fray, by Kenneth Hinga Summary of the March 15, 2025 Board Meeting, by Katie Frederick Passings Here and There, edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins ACB Officers ACB Board of Directors ACB Board of Publications Accessing Your ACB Braille Forums ***** ** How to Submit Articles to the Forum If you wish to submit an article to "The ACB Braille Forum," please send it via email to slovering@acb.org as part of the message, or attached as a Word or ASCII text file. Articles should be between 500 and 800 words. Language should be family friendly. Longer articles may be divided into two or more parts. Affiliates, we can't have Affiliate News without you! If you've elected new officers, are having a convention, celebrating a milestone anniversary, etc., send the information to Sharon Lovering at the email address above. ** Upcoming Forum Themes and Deadlines July-August 2025: theme: mental health and wellness; deadline: May 23, 2025 September 2025: theme: convention wrap-up/emergency preparedness - accessible alert devices; deadline: July 23, 2025 October 2025: theme: attitude of gratitude/thankfulness; deadline: August 22, 2025 If your committee or affiliate would like to claim an issue of the Forum, please contact Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org. ** Are You Moving? Do You Want to Change Your Subscription? Contact Sharon Lovering in the ACB national office, 1-800-424-8666, or via e-mail, slovering@acb.org. Give her the information, and she'll update the database. ***** ** 2025 Convention Snippets by Janet Dickelman What an exciting time to be involved with the American Council of the Blind! Our 64th annual conference and convention is fast approaching! * Zoom Days During the in-person portion of the conference, some of our sessions will be hybrid. They will be available via Zoom and broadcast on ACB Media. Many in-person-only sessions will be recorded and available as podcasts. In addition to the in-person conference days, there is so much more that will be available via the Zoom platform and ACB Media. Learn about candidates running for board positions at the Candidates' Forum on Wednesday, June 11. Don't miss the ACB virtual summer auction on Saturday, June 21 at 5 p.m. Central time, preceded by two days of appetizer auction items. The convention will officially open virtually on ACB Media and the Zoom platform on Monday, June 23 with the reading of the convention standing rules and the first credentials report, followed by the nominating committee. Beginning on June 26, we will offer three days of Zoom-only sessions for special-interest affiliates, ACB committees and our business partners. The Zoom-only sessions will also be broadcast on ACB Media. The evenings of June 24 through June 27 will be dedicated to resolutions and bylaws, with voting on bylaws and amendments on Monday, June 30. There will be much more information about this from the pertinent committees. * Announcing Our 2025 Banquet Speaker We are thrilled to have Dave Williams joining ACB in Dallas as our banquet keynote speaker. Dave is the Inclusive Design Ambassador, RNIB, and the Chair of the Braillists Foundation. He champions inclusive design principles to ensure equal access and opportunities for blind and partially sighted people. For 25 years Dave's work has driven change, enhancing accessibility across a wide range of industries, including technology, product design, the built environment and public services. Dave collaborates with stakeholders, including designers, developers, policymakers, and disability rights advocates, to raise awareness, influence decision-making, and create a more inclusive society for people who are blind or low vision to live our best lives. Dave hosts RNIB Tech Talk, the UK's leading radio show and podcast for blind and partially sighted technology users. He is regularly invited to speak with local, national, and international partners and clients about blindness and the transformative power of accessible and inclusive technology, braille literacy, parenting and participation in sport. During his time as ACB Radio Director, from 2003 to 2006, Dave delivered hundreds of hours of live and on-demand content, including coverage of three ACB conventions and the General Assembly of the World Blind Union from Cape Town, South Africa. * Meet the 2025 Talking Book Narrator Gary Tipton is honored to have narrated talking books at the American Printing House for the Blind for 40 years and has now completed well over a thousand titles. Originally from eastern Tennessee, he has lived in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Boston, but has called Louisville home since moving there to care for his mother after his father’s sudden death. In addition to narrating, he also acts, directs, produces and designs many different theatrical productions. His other jobs during his lifetime (teaching, bartending, part owner of a restaurant, real estate agent, retail sales and bank teller) are as varied as the books he records. His other interests include gardening, painting, walking and exercise in its many forms. Gary will address our general session on Tuesday, July 8, and also join Library Users of America on Tuesday afternoon. * Blood Drive in Dallas The American Council of the Blind in conjunction with the Get Up and Get Moving Committee is hosting a blood drive with Carter BloodCare at this year's convention. The blood drive will be held at the Hyatt on Monday, July 8th & Tuesday, July 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us as we save lives and impact our community, one donation at a time. The most selfless act that has great beneficial significance to the donor and the recipient is giving blood. Donating blood can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment while helping to meet the need of others and supporting the community. Your contributions are rewarding and impactful while being an important part of helping to save lives and improve the lives of others. Details on how to participate in the blood drive will be sent out to the convention registrants list. * Welcome to Dallas Party The Dallas Host Committee will hold their welcome party on Friday, July 4th, featuring local musician Blake Cheek. Blake plays music from many genres, accompanying his vocals with his guitar. * Registration Reminders Conference and convention registration will remain open through June 17th. For all things registration, visit the April edition of the ACB Braille Forum, https://www.acb.org/acb-braille-forum-april-2025. Remember that you must have a member account to register. To set up your account and to complete the registration form, visit https://members.acb.org/. * Bring the Kids We have great activities for our Kids Club (ages 5 to 13). Our wonderful leaders will have craft projects, swimming and a daily field trip. Check the convention registration form for all the details! * Hotel Details Room rates at the Hyatt are $99 per night (single or double occupancy), $124 (triple occupancy) and $149 (quadruple occupancy), plus tax, which is currently 17.2%. To make reservations online, go to https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/DFWRD/G-AMCB. If you prefer to make reservations by phone, call (214) 651-1234, and use group code G-AMCB. The Hyatt is located at 300 Reunion Blvd. The cut-off date to make reservations is Monday, June 9. So don't delay -- make your reservations today! * Staying in Touch The convention announce list will be filled with information. To subscribe to the list, send a blank e-mail to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org. If you received updates for the 2024 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe. * Convention Questions For any convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail, janet.dickelman@gmail.com. ***** ** Seeking Volunteers for the 2025 Information Desk by Cecily Laney Nipper The ACB Information Desk needs you to help distribute and share news and materials in Dallas. The Information Desk will open when registration opens on Thursday, July 3, and will remain open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. until the afternoon of Thursday, July 10. We need volunteers to help out every day. Info Desk workers answer attendees' questions; distribute braille and large print newspapers, hotel and local business information, menus, and other materials; collect door prizes; help organize reservations for banquet tables; and help get lost items back to their owners. If you enjoy meeting people, being at the center of things, and can multi-task, consider volunteering to work at the 2025 info desk. If you are interested in helping out, contact me at roses828@comcast.net or via phone or text at (470) 218-7885 by June 4 with your name and telephone number, and I'll reach out to find out what day(s) are best for you to volunteer behind the desk. ***** ** The 2025 ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk: Step by Step Together by Katie Frederick The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is hosting the 2025 Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk at this year's conference and convention in Dallas. This year's theme, "Step by Step Together," signifies unity, collaboration, and the collective effort to make a positive impact. * Background of the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk The walk has been a well-attended event for ACB since its inception 16 years ago. Named in honor of Brenda Dillon, a tireless ACB leader and advocate for the blind and low vision community, the walk serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those of us who are blind or low vision and generates funds for various ACB initiatives. * About Brenda Dillon Brenda Dillon was compassionate, dedicated, and had unwavering support for people who are blind or low vision. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to improve accessibility, promote inclusion, and advocate for the rights of the blind community. The memorial walk is a tribute to her enduring spirit and a testament to the lives she touched. * The 2025 Theme: Step by Step Together This year's theme, "Step by Step Together," encapsulates the essence of the ACB community. It emphasizes the importance of coming together to support one another, recognizing progress is made through collective action. Whether walking side by side with friends, family, or affiliates, each step taken is a step toward a more inclusive and equitable world. * Participation and Team Formation Participants in the 2025 Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk are encouraged to form teams, representing state and special-interest affiliates. This fosters a sense of camaraderie and creates opportunities for affiliates to engage with their members and communities, and let's not forget the friendly team-to-team competition! Teams can choose creative names and design matching attire if desired that embodies the team's spirit and enthusiasm. * Fundraising and Affiliate Support Once again, a significant highlight of this year's walk is the fundraising initiative. Teams have the opportunity to raise funds that directly benefit their chosen causes. Notably, state and special-interest affiliate teams can designate 50% of the funds raised to go back to their affiliate. This ensures the efforts and contributions of participants have a direct and meaningful impact on the affiliate's designated programs. * How to Get Involved Getting involved in the 2025 Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk is simple. Participants can donate individually or to a team through the official ACB walk website, https://bit.ly/3CLHesN. After donating, participants can share walk information on social media and via email to encourage donations from others to support the team. Virtual participation options are available for those who cannot attend and walk in person, allowing supporters from across the globe to join in on the action. Lace up your shoes and step forward together. Let's honor Brenda Dillon's legacy and contribute to a brighter future for the blind and low vision community. Join us on this journey, and let's take each step together, hand in hand, toward a world of greater inclusion and opportunity. ***** ** Paving the Way for Everyone's Future by Doug Powell, President Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL) As I write this in March, things are changing daily. We have every reason to be concerned about many of these changes, and I urge you to contact your governmental representatives to express how the changes might affect you and others in your communities. Having said that, looked at from a slightly different perspective, things haven't changed a whole lot. Most people still don't have the faintest idea of what it takes to navigate life as a blind or low vision individual successfully. Many governmental and non-governmental agencies overlook the kinds of accessibility features that would make interactions with people who are blind or low vision meaningful. Most of the oversights are through ignorance, but some are through cheapness. So, when looked at from this angle, our jobs haven't changed a bit. We need to continue to educate, demonstrate, and collaborate on efforts to make our communities as friendly to people who are blind or have low vision as possible. My assertions above apply to all age groups, but since I'm the president of AAVL, and since this is Older Americans Month, I'm going to speak to what we have been doing since last year at this time, and what we are planning to do this coming year. * Up to Now This last year has been a busy and frustrating one for me. The Older Americans Act (OAA) went through both a rule-making and a reauthorization process. We worked hard with our friends at the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) and VisionServe Alliance (VSA) to advocate for inclusion of "blind and low vision" as a targeted disability to heighten people's awareness of our needs. We used some excellent data from the Big Data Project, sponsored by the AVLNC, to expose our health and social needs. And all the way through, we tried to emphasize that we were not only advocating for us, but also for the vast majority of people who are aging, losing vision, and don't know what programs and services are available for them to use to maintain as independent and fulfilling lives in their communities outside institutions as possible. That Congressional session ended without official reauthorization and without new language that would bring more attention to the specific needs of the people we represent, but I have to believe that we made a good case, and more people are aware of the kinds of things people with low or no vision need than before we started. Another promising governmental initiative came from the Administration on Community Living (ACL). They gathered an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) to develop a Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging. Originally, this ICC had over ten agencies represented, but none that represented people who are blind or low vision. They requested comments on the Framework document and AAVL submitted comments. Fortunately, a week before the comments were due, ACL invited the head of the Independent Living Program for Older People Who are Blind (OIB) from the RSA to join the ICC, so, rather than having to focus on including the perspective of older people who are losing or have no vision, we could focus on areas of accessibility that should be included that would help the OIB representative on the ICC broaden the perspective of the other agencies involved. I was excited that, for once, we would be at the table while the Framework was being formulated. This initiative faltered at the end of last year, and has not yet been revived this year. Over the last year, we have become more knowledgeable about non-governmental organizations who were serving older Americans who might be able to improve their service delivery with some expert help from us, both approaching older people who are blind or low vision appropriately, and empowering staff and volunteers to refer folks to appropriate agencies for rehabilitation. So far, we have met with leaders at the National Council on Aging (NCOA), and the AARP Foundation. We'll keep you informed of progress at the national level with these and other organizations. * Moving Forward Looking at the writing on the wall from the first weeks of the new Administration and Congress, we will continue to advocate at the federal level and hope for the best. But, for a while, we have been saying that even if our wildest dreams came true legislatively, we would still have much work to do. The money appropriated at the federal level for the programs and services older people who are blind or low vision need are sent to the states, matched in some proportion with state funds, and funneled into local agencies who decide what programs and services need funding in their communities. This process is happening now, and without our insistence and guidance, won't help the people who are blind or low vision who need them. So, we are asking AAVL and ACB members to help us broaden our advocacy on these issues in your communities. Under our vice president and chair of our advocacy committee, Anisio Correia, and board member Larry Johnson, we have developed a program to support you in improving relationships with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). It involves inviting AAA staff to chapter meetings to inform your membership of the services that are currently available, and for that person to be introduced to people who are blind and low vision who are living their lives as independently as they can. Our people would also suggest meetings with AAA staff and volunteers to offer suggestions on accessibility and meaningful referrals to those who are not yet being served. And most importantly, our members would offer to serve on the AAA Advisory body to foster an ongoing dialogue about accessible program and service planning and delivery. I met with the head of Virginia's Department of Aging Resources, and he told me that there were positions open on every advisory council in the Commonwealth. I suspect that the same is true in most states. In talking about this AAVL initiative, I have been focusing on AAAs. But there are several different agencies in communities under different management structures that may be more important to you in your community; agencies such as Senior Centers, Independent Living Centers, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers to name a few. If you are interested in improving services in your community and would like to take advantage of the support offered by this initiative, please contact Anisio immediately to be included at vp@aavl-blind-seniors.org. If you want more information about AAVL, you can start with our website at https://www.aavl-blind-seniors.org/, or contact me directly at president@aavl-blind-seniors.org or call (571) 438-7750. Happy Older Americans Month! ***** ** Our Octogenarian Odyssey by Janet DiNola Parmerter Nearly ten years ago, I wrote the article below about my eccentric Auntie Rena. Unfortunately, on Nov. 30, 2022, just four months before she turned 100, she quietly fell asleep in death. In preparation for her memorial service, my husband Keith and I read this article again, and chuckled as we remembered these humorous memories and realized laughter is truly the best medicine. So, please enjoy some laughter and memories with Keith and me. Odyssey: a long series of adventures, especially when filled with notable hardships Yes, I believe anyone who is a caregiver may accurately define their efforts as an odyssey. Certainly, my husband Keith and I called living with our three octogenarian family members a long series of adventures. We called it "Our Octogenarian Odyssey." The odyssey began in 2002, when we moved my mother's sister, Auntie Rena, from my parents' residence in New York to our New Jersey home. Due to my parents' health, they also moved here and completed our happy household of three octogenarians, my mother's feisty cat Gatto (which means cat in Italian), Keith and me, who are the two somewhat patient caregivers, and our own nervous octogenarian cat Maynard. Above the door for our elderly cat hangs a leather sign we bought in Orvieto, Italy, which reads, "In questa casa siamo TUTTI nervosa ... anche il gatto!" Those words are the most "PURRRR-FECT" words to sum up our current living arrangements. It translates into, "In this house we are ALL nervous ... even the cat!" This saying is written under a picture of a frightened cat with an arched back, its black fur and tail standing straight up. Under this roof, some say the level of excitement is more than one house could stand. Nevertheless, each truss holding up this roof is secured with a good balance of humor and laughter, which is especially evident with Auntie Rena, my mother’s oldest sister. She is an 89-year-old, five-foot two-inch strong, non-eyeglass-wearing woman, with at least two pink foam rollers in her short white hair. She never married because she never wanted to burden a husband with what she called her "little problem." From the age of 11, Aunt Rena suffered from epileptic seizures. She turned down any prospective suitors and became an excellent Bible teacher. Even with epilepsy, she was a sweet, gentle, resilient woman, until dementia slowly altered her brain and personality. Previously, teaching the Bible filled her life with intense joy; now, Bible verses are practically her only memory. Her doctor said so many of her brain cells died because for the past 78 years, she refused to take her medication. When the doctor told her the repeated seizures would continue to cause brain cells to die, she ignored his warning and said garlic would help. Before it was fashionable to be health-conscious, Auntie Rena was a wild health fanatic. She ate all-natural foods, believed garlic cured everything, made her own yogurt, had every Prevention magazine, and knew every vitamin and herbal remedy to heal anything. Yet, she had to be forced to take her Dilantin and flushed most down the toilet, saying, "I prefer doing things my way rather than having the side effects of that nasty medicine." That began Keith’s and my war of the pills. Each day we mapped out a strategy to sneak Aunt Rena her Dilantin. At first, we thought she took each pill, but later my husband found them around the sink drain and garbage can. So we planned a new line of attack. From then on, after she put the pill into her mouth, we stood in front of her until she swallowed it. At last, we won! Well, we thought we won. It wasn’t long before my daughter found dozens of pills clustered together in her sweater pocket. Auntie Rena kept the pills under her tongue, then slipped them into her pocket. Another battle lost. But we were not defeated yet. With a mortar and pestle, I crushed the pill and mixed it into a chunky peanut butter sandwich. Before I could high-five Keith, I saw her pick out something from her mouth, put it on the table, open her sandwich and begin picking out tiny bits of the pill. Feeling defeated, I phoned the doctor. He suggested a liquid prescription which could be easily blended into her food. Immediately we added the medicine into soup, drinks, and oatmeal. Unfortunately, she told us her food tasted awful, and protested, saying, "Eat it yourself!" Score: Auntie Rena 4, the pill pushers 0. Suddenly, I had a brilliant idea. The next day I phoned the doctor and requested the children's medicine, a cherry flavored liquid Keppra. Each day I folded back the foil on cherry yogurt and Keith mixed in the Keppra, replaced the foil, and Auntie Rena thoroughly enjoyed each cup of yogurt. We were sure we had won the battle -- until one day, when Auntie Rena caught him mixing her yogurt with a spoon, became suspicious and completely stopped eating. Aunt Rena no longer trusted anything we gave her to eat. Even more frustrated, the doctor sighed, "Look, she's 85 years old, why are you battling her? She hates hospitals, doctors, medicine, and especially me! She does not listen to you, and she certainly does not listen to me, or for that matter anyone else. Just let her be happy and let her do what she wants to do." Today, she has multiple daily seizures, says she does not, and she is happy because she never remembers them. All of her horrifying falls stay in our minds, as well as the minds of our children and grandchildren. When Auntie Rena had a seizure at the top of a flight of stairs, rolling down 18 hard oak steps in front of my granddaughter, Sydney was terrified and thought Auntie Rena died. Never realizing how others were affected by her falls, so often she has repeated the words, "I'd rather have my little problem than all those nasty side effects from medicines that kill people!" Kill people? We are so happy she never killed anyone or herself. We were so thankful that no one was in the yard when Aunt Rena blacked out in her car and drove through a neighbor's front gate. That day my mother took her car keys, gave them to Uncle Louie, and he drove her car back to Connecticut. For the next two months, Aunt Rena was furious. I worried about her injuries from her terrible falls. The vivid teenage memory I have of hearing a crash, then seeing Auntie Rena lying under the kitchen table shaking with a knife clutched in her hand still haunts me. Consequently, the more she refused her medication, the more seizures she had, and the more brain cells died. That vicious cycle caused the dementia she has today, and little by little took away my beloved aunt. Each morning, she climbed the back stairs, entered our kitchen, and quietly repeated the same questions, "Where are we?," followed by "Do I live here?" and "What am I doing here?" After a brief moment, the last question popped up, "Oh, and deary, what day and month is this?" Every day, with the exception of the date, her repetitive questions were answered the same way. After she was told the state, she stared into space and repeated it twice as if we told her she lived on Mars. After she hesitated for a few seconds, curiously she asked, "What am I doing here? I thought I lived in Connecticut." Shocked when hearing she had lived here for years, she became visibly embarrassed, which always sparked an unusual sequence of events. To get away as fast as possible, she quickly turned around and wildly waved her hands over her head, lost her equilibrium, and mumbled, "Where am I? Where am I now? I'm lost ... I'm confused!" For the next hour, Aunt Rena went in and out the back door several hundred times. When she decided to rest on the back deck, she gave all eight chairs a try, then got up from each chair and moved to the next one. Eventually, conversation became outdated, and her most predictable comments were about not wanting to eat and her complaints about food costing too much. That was because when she was teaching, she had little money and continually obsessed over becoming fat. What may have contributed to Auntie Rena's fat fear was the fact that in our family, being fat was a constant struggle, as shown by her sister Enes, who was a hefty 390 pounds at five feet tall. Once, after Keith found her antibiotics in the sink, she flippantly waved Keith off and said, "You just want me to take that pill so I can get fat like you!" With her dislike of eating food, she acted as though eating was an unnecessary, frivolous chore. When I called her to a meal, her first words were always, "Oh, do I have to eat?" Usually, I chuckled and responded, "Well, you don't have to eat, but death is the alternative, so I think eating is a better option." Three times a day, when we set her plate in front of her, no matter how much food was on it, she turned her head and robotically waved her hand back and forth while saying, "Oh no, I could never eat that much!! Please just give me half!" Finally, to test her reaction, I placed one lone pea on the plate. After setting the plate on the table, I received the usual response. Quickly I responded, "Auntie Rena, I put one pea on the plate. I think you can eat the whole pea, try and force it down!" When she finally looked at the single lonesome pea on the huge plate, she laughed, and then, as if I had some all-knowing answer, she curiously asked, "Why did I say that?" Good question, but I didn't have an answer. However, whenever she complained about the amount of food on her plate, she always ate every bit and snuck food off our plates. After we realized she would sneak more food if we weren’t looking, we turned our heads away from the table and let her sneak whatever she wanted from the center serving tray or our plates. Every time we went out to eat, we asked the hostess not to give her a menu or she wouldn't eat. When Auntie Rena saw food cost more than it did in 1945, she refused to order anything but water. One day at McDonald's, she ordered a cheeseburger, glanced up to the menu, then immediately canceled the order and complained, "Your prices are terrible!" then added, "Just bring me a milkshake." The young man took back the burger, placed the shake on the counter, told her the price, then she yelled, "What? If you think I'm paying that for milk, you're crazy! Young man, you can just put it back and get me a cup of water!" Trying to calm her down I said, "Now Auntie Rena, he can't put the shake back, it's already poured, why don't you just take it?" With folded arms, she turned her head and stopped speaking. That was her way of saying, "Your words are going in one ear and out the other, because I won't budge!" While she lived downstairs, I could make sure my auntie was safe in her apartment. We had a baby cam so I could hear if she fell. One night, after bringing food to her kitchen table, as I came back upstairs, Keith watched her usual rebellious action as she pushed the plate away, stubbornly folded her arms and turned her head to the side. On the baby cam, I pushed the button and said, "Now you just eat that food, or you will get sick!" Stunned, she jerked her head toward the food, looked all around the room, then up at the ceiling. Still looking up, as though God himself had commanded her to eat, she slowly reached forward, pulled the plate to her chest, and ate her dinner. Years later, when my parents came to live with us, a new set of family dynamics began. Apparently, 64 years ago, Auntie Rena wanted Mom to marry someone else and Dad never forgot. It had been long gone from Rena's memory, but not Dad's. Since my parents moved in, the tension thickened as Rena got under Dad's skin. Everyone's nerves were frayed. Even our octogenarian cat Maynard tried to find peace and hid all day under our bed. Daddy was convinced Auntie Rena pretended to be unstable, and he thought it was all an act and said it was her clever way to have us all cater to her every need. His paranoid frustration increased since he was convinced Mom was being duped by her older sister and he was the only one who could see through her deception. Conversely, before he moved in, I cautiously warned him, "Daddy, if you keep telling my friends there is nothing wrong with Auntie Rena, they are going to think something is terribly wrong with you, because everyone here knows something is wrong with her mind!" When Uncle Dan enlarged our deck, I moved the heavy iron chairs off the deck to the far end of the yard. Mysteriously, every morning all the heavy wrought iron chairs were neatly lined up outside Aunt Rena's door. Now I know they did not walk there by themselves, so I asked Aunt Rena, who was sitting on her patio swing, "Why did you carry all eight heavy chairs here?" Uninterested in my question, she folded her arms, turned her head away from me and kept swinging back and forth. Again, I asked, "Auntie Rena, why did you pull these heavy chairs over here? I don't want to keep moving these iron chairs, they are too heavy!" Immediately, she stopped swinging, turned her head away from me, then tersely said, "Stop complaining!" Shocked, I bit my tongue once, then bit it again before I laughed. In the winter, with a temperature of four degrees, Auntie Rena claimed she needed to breathe fresh air and kept the windows open to allow the good air to come inside. When Keith peeked in, he saw her sleeping with a babushka towel wrapped around her head, socks on her hands, and so many blankets her tiny body could hardly move. In contrast, when it is 97 degrees outside, she sits reading a magazine by her open screen door. Meanwhile, the air conditioner is ready to explode as it struggles to cool the entire state. My granddaughter Sydney closed the door three times in 30 minutes, and when the astronomical electric bills were mentioned, she calmly said, "I'm sorry, dear ... Well, just remind me to keep the door closed." Sydney suggested pasting bright orange reminder signs on both sides of the door, so she printed up, "Keep door closed, air conditioning is on and we lose lots of money when the door is open." It did not help! In an ornery mood, she yelled, "We never had that fake air when I was young. We had real fresh air! Just shut it off and leave me alone!" Trying to appeal to her sense of justice, I said, "If we didn't give you heat or cool air, the police could take us away and put us in jail for not taking good care of you." Snapping her head away, she sarcastically said, "You are making that up. No one will do that, just let them try." She is usually such a sweetheart. But over the years, we realized her angry attitudes always came right before an epileptic seizure. Still, after knowing all that, Dad stated, "She's just a good actress and fooled all of you, but not me! She just wants to be waited on, and she pretends not to know things just to get her own way." Finally, I resigned myself to the fact my father would never believe she had a problem. With all these household Freudian dynamics, life has been quite humorous. This evening while having a seizure, Auntie Rena shoved an entire napkin in her mouth. Everyone jumped up to remove it, but she tightly clenched her teeth together and we couldn’t open her mouth. The last time I dug into her mouth she bit me, so naturally I went ahead with caution as Auntie Rena mumbled in Italian. Disinterested, Daddy sat on the recliner and sarcastically said, "Don't worry, she won't choke, she's just faking it!" Mom shouted, "John, stop that, my sister is going to choke," and Dad came back with, "Alice, she's got you so duped, look at her, she's just doing this for attention." Meanwhile, Rena was oblivious to everyone trying to get her mouth open and concentrated on chewing the huge ball of paper. It was strange, but when she had a seizure, she reverted back to the language of her childhood. Even though she no longer spoke Italian, she repeatedly mumbled Italian words. Uncle Dan told us to hold her nose, then she would open her mouth. As I held her nostrils closed, Anna Mae sat on the other side ready to grab the napkin as Rena clenched her teeth. Still, Anna Mae managed to pick out a few pieces as Rena yelled in Italian, "It's mine! It's not yours, it's mine, it's mine!" ("Questa none tua, e mia!") Answering her in Italian, I held down her fighting hands and said, "No Auntie Rena, that's not yours, it's hers! It's not yours!" ("No, zia, non e tua, e sua!") In a split second, she came out of the seizure, looked at me and growled, "What are you talking about? I don't understand a word you're saying!" It was too hilarious, and instantly we roared with laughter. A few years ago, Auntie Rena went from the hospital to a nearby nursing facility and never came home. Now, unable to walk or communicate properly, she thinks I am my mother and when I said Keith was not my father, she said, “Who are you kidding, you're not fooling me, I know he is John." When I told her how old I was, and I couldn't be her sister, she asked, "Then how old am I?" When I answered 92, she loudly exclaimed, "92? 92? What am I still doing here? I should be dead!" The nurses giggled and Auntie Rena was oblivious to everything. That was some time ago. In the nursing home she survived two bouts of COVID, pneumonia, countless falls, and infections. When she bounced back, she amazed the entire staff. It seems fitting to end my reflections by quoting Auntie Rena's pet phrase as she tapped the dashboard of Maggie, her 1960 car, "The old girl is still going strong!" ***** ** Man's Best Friend Plus 2 by Anthony Corona Each year, as part of my advocacy, I spend several days in our nation's capital, preparing for and then walking the hallowed halls where our representatives and senators shape the policies that govern our lives. This year, however, the weight on my heart, mind, and soul felt heavier than ever. Still, I arrived with a purpose. For the first time, I also wore a new professional hat, a role that filled me with pride even amidst the storm of dark and difficult news. In an era where so many voices are stifled or dismissed, I recognize how fortunate I am -- at least for now -- to still have the opportunity to speak with my elected officials. While I didn't feel that our direction this year was as focused on the urgent challenges facing the blind and low-vision community, the broader disability community, civil rights, and, fundamentally, humanity itself, I remain steadfast in my belief that advocacy remains essential. Even when progress feels slow, the fire of advocacy must continue to burn, igniting others to step forward for the future of our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come. But advocacy is exhausting. Fighting for what is right takes energy, and I have learned that balance is not a luxury -- it is a necessity. That's why, each year, after the long days of preparation and advocacy, my partner Gabriel and I, along with our guide dogs, take time to recharge. Just outside of Washington, in Maryland, we visit the extraordinary people who raised Boaty -- my guide dog, my partner, my steadfast companion. Holly and Eric were Boaty's first family. They are volunteer puppy raisers for the Guide Dog Foundation, and Boaty was the first puppy they trained. Now, they are raising their eighth future service dog: Rogue, a beautiful, smart, and affectionate black Lab who is already showing signs of greatness. Coming here after the intensity of advocacy is more than just a break; it's a homecoming. It's a reunion with people who have given me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received -- Boaty. Over the years, they have selflessly raised seven puppies, preparing them to go out into the world and change lives. Some became guide dogs, some became service dogs, and every single one has brought love, independence, and dignity to the people they now serve. For us, these puppy raisers are more than just volunteers -- they are family. Every year, I witness the sheer joy in Boaty's reunion with Holly and Eric. He remembers them, he loves them, and he shows his gratitude in the way only a dog can -- tail wags, nuzzles, and boundless affection. And then there's Puppy Gabe, our other guide dog, who has spent these days in absolute heaven -- surrounded by toys, treats, a spacious yard to run in, and an endless supply of love. It's in these moments that I am reminded of the beauty of service, of sacrifice, and of selflessness. The work Holly and Eric do -- and the work of countless puppy raisers across the country -- is what makes independence possible for so many of us. They invest their time, their love, and their energy into raising these incredible dogs, only to let them go when the time comes, sending them forward to fulfill their destinies. That level of dedication and generosity is something I will never take for granted. Later today, I will board a plane and return to the real world -- the responsibilities, the advocacy, the fight that never ends. But I do so rejuvenated, renewed by the love and kindness of those who have given me so much. As I dictate these words, I send out a call to all of my fellow guide dog handlers: take a moment today to reach out to your puppy raisers. Send a picture, a short video, a story -- anything to remind them why they do what they do. Let them know how much their work means, how their sacrifice has granted us independence, and how the love they poured into our dogs continues to shape our lives every single day. Because while a guide dog may be a man's best friend, there are always more hearts behind the scenes, loving them first so they can love us forever. ***** ** Riding the Roller Coaster of Life by Melody Holloway Before I received formal confirmation of misdiagnosis at age 37, I was already coming to understand repercussions of living with a one-of-a-kind set of circumstances. Implementations of survival mechanisms arising as human adaptations, coping mechanisms, and attempts to reach safety were replaced by increasing burnout, depletion, health deterioration, and loss of hope. One particular afternoon, after a recent uptick in chaotic occurrence, I asked a friend to drive me to an emergency department. The first hospital dismissed my concerns. My driver refused to navigate through construction taking place on Ohio State University's busy campus in order to transport me to the OSU Medical Center. I ended up bothering my mother after she arrived home from work. I was triaged, placed in overflow, then taken to a holding room. A thin curtain separated my bed from that of the other patient. As I waited to be assessed by medical, psychiatry, and nursing personnel, I heard a talking book playing on an NLS player. I turned toward the neighboring bed and softly spoke up. "I have a player like yours." A frustrated, scared, yet determined young boy's voice replied, "Are you blind?" "Indeed. How old are you?" "I will be fourteen in October." I felt a wrenching pain stab through my heart. This young man is in survival mode, already being run through the ringer of an unfair, inconsistent mental health system largely peppered with bureaucracy, technicalities, procedure, policy, protocol, lack of consideration or concern for traumatic experiences, disability advocacy, environmental upheaval, familiarity, social deficits, malnutrition, sleep deprivation, and becoming accustomed to not being heard. "I am 33," I told him. As we talked further, I learned this boy was a student at the Ohio State School for the Blind. I graduated as the valedictorian in 2004, a period of time that was as painful as it was memorable. The boy was a residential student living in a foster care home for weekends and holidays. He had the same awesome orientation and mobility instructor that my classmates and I previously had. He expressed tremendous appreciation and gratitude when telling me she gave him $5 during a mobility lesson when he was practicing navigating to a restaurant, placing his order, and soliciting aid at a local shopping mall. This specific level of gratefulness would appear over the top for someone taking financial well-being, kindness, and a guaranteed roof over their head for granted. This boy had no reassurance that any of these would be available for him. I found commonality in this unspoken comprehension. I had similar memories of this O and M instructor, as would some reading my article. She is one of those people who views mobility lessons as a mission, connection, dedication, and true passion instead of a 9 to 5 job. The boy's foster care caseworker came in our joint room to talk with him. He was being discharged after being evaluated, even though life had hurt him to the point of inflicting bodily harm and running away from the school cottages. He absolutely did not want to return to his foster care placement; however, he had no choice due to chronic mishandling and limited availability of foster parents, especially those willing to take time for a visually impaired, emotionally oppressed, mistrustful, hyper-verbal teenage boy whose biological parents projected their invalidation, misgivings, avoidance, and lack of preparedness on a son they most likely had not planned, thereby using him as an outlet and excuse for failing to establish an appropriate foundation. The caseworker was a kind, gentle, attentive lady who obviously cared about this boy. She kept asking him why he was so apprehensive about returning to the foster home. He was so burnt out, picked on, and frightened that he withheld any information. He probably thought she wouldn't understand. When someone becomes conditioned to believe they will not be listened to, believed, understood, or considered that early in life, the battles which accompany adulthood become much more unpredictable and informative simultaneously. I started playing with an idea right there in that emergency holding room, an idea which turned to a full-fledged aspiration as years progressed. Suppose I could adopt a difficult-to-place foster teen living with disabilities, medical complexities, poverty, and/or behavioral trouble before they age out of the child protective services system at 18 and are left to fend for themselves? This boy has potential. He is intelligent as all get out, genuinely compassionate, and has a wealth of technological skills. He was adept and efficient using his caseworker's two iPhones with VoiceOver. One had a home button. After he changed into his own clothes, he and the caseworker waited for the nurse to give him his discharge paperwork. He turned to her and quietly said, "The lady in the other bed is blind too. She graduated from my school a long time ago. She's really nice. She knows my O and M instructor." I was admitted that time. While I waited for a bed, I wondered how I would bypass supplemental benefits, societal perception, and extreme low-income category in order to make it out of the unprovable situation which laid groundwork for my own decline in order to apply to become a foster parent, pass a background check, and constructively handle such questions as, "Don't you need someone to care for you? Who helps you at home? How could you possibly take care of a minor?" All of the above in addition to incorrect labeling, additional disabilities, health conditions tough to understand, and sacrifice of disability-related benefits, health coverage, and affordable housing have, in fact, stood in the way of this ubiquitous goal. I never forgot the boy whose name I am protecting for the sake of confidentiality. I only hope he found safe, consistent placement which nurtured his tender spirit and allowed him to express feelings, desires, and future endeavors. After the passing of my dear friend with traumatic brain injury whose advice, lessons, and plight will always guide me, many focused on my loss of purpose. This is definitely applicable, valid, and accurate; however, benefits, welfare, safety, needs, and best interest of the other party are thrown aside. We both faced scrutiny as the undeniable team we proved to be. I continue to face such scrutiny to this day. My emotional wellness, stability, competence, capability, and incorrect paper trail culminate in the crown of thorns interfering with true medical needs, confidence, daily interactions, and basic rights. During a recent hospitalization, an internal medicine physician asked me if I would like a palliative care team consult. Riding the roller coaster called life yields interesting, often misunderstood results, allowing doors to open which plant communal seeds of prosperity, growth, patience, peace, and love presenting as diplomas from the school of hard knocks. When we use these diplomas to foster future leaders, we honor those who fostered us. "Life is not fair" is not always an ideal mantra to live by. ***** ** Where There's A Will There's A Fray By Kenneth Hinga Reprinted from the July 1971 issue of The Braille Forum. (Editor's Note: Kenneth Hinga's article is extremely timely. The Wisconsin Council has lost more than $35,000 in recent years in just this way. The money is buried in the State's General Treasury and can never be extracted. George Card, Associate Editor) There is a matter that the Blind Lawyers Association might consider during their special session in Milwaukee this summer. It is this business of attorneys writing up a will for a client who desires to leave a portion of their estate to "The Blind." It would seem that these professional experts would know better than to include such an ambiguous designation in a legal document. Nevertheless, it happens all too frequently. Often, if it doesn't simply say "The Blind," it will throw out some high-sounding title of an organization which doesn't exist. About a year ago a well-meaning lady died and willed a substantial sum of money to the American Federated Foundation of the Blind. It took some convincing on my part to assure her legal representative that what she really meant was the "Kalamazoo Federation of the Blind." More recently, a lady died in the eastern part of Michigan who wanted a good portion of her resources to go toward helping the blind. Another organization of the blind not affiliated with A.C.B. got wind of the deal and immediately sent the president and legal representative to the county seat and advised that this group represented the blind of Michigan, and the prosecuting attorney accepted the contention and granted the bequeathal with no further investigation. Sorry I missed that one! There's one thing for darn sure -- that is you can't confer with the deceased to get their thinking. This confusion is further complicated when the mourners view the remains and deposit memorials in behalf of the blind or an agency serving in the cause. The funeral director looks at the little cards, counts the plate of money, and then scratches his head wondering where the donation is supposed to go. If he phones this writer there is never any question as to the ultimate disposal. If the local, state and national organizations of the blind were on their toes they would make certain that every funeral home and bar association retained a nomenclature of priority. The saddest thing that can happen in this situation is when bequeathed funds are channeled toward some agency for the blind that is already loaded with financial support. We need to emphasize that little preposition "of" so the donor will understand that they are contributing directly to the visually handicapped and not to some facility where the money will purchase a new desk for the director. Publicity is the key word, and we must promote the name of the American Council of the Blind from the country store to the White House. I'm giving you fair warning, however, that if the title comes out "American Federation of the Blind," the bequest may end up in Kalamazoo. ***** ** Summary of the March 15, 2025 Board Meeting by Katie Frederick ACB's Board of Directors met in-person and via Zoom March 15. Listen to the full meeting podcast at https://acb-business.pinecast.co/. President Deb Cook Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Eastern. All directors and staff were present, except Rachel Schroeder, who had an excused absence. The board had a full agenda of items including reports and policies. * President's Report In her report to the board, President Cook Lewis provided updates on several topics. She announced the ACB Leadership list guidelines are undergoing a review. The intent is to ensure better communication and more efficient use of not only the leadership list, but all ACB lists. Deb explained that the leadership list is comprised of members from the ACB Board of Directors, Board of Publications and up to three representatives from state and special-interest affiliates. She is working with affiliate leaders, ensuring the leadership list roster is accurate. Deb shared changes to the convention affiliate roll call in 2025. The roll call will now take place during the virtual opening ceremony on June 23. This adjustment is necessary since business is conducted before the in-person portion of the conference and convention begins. During the in-person session at the convention, if affiliates wish to make an announcement or donation to ACB, they will be recognized to do so. Also, effective in 2025, the Braille Forum raffle is no more. The decision was made to avoid legal complexities and ensure compliance with state regulations. She reported to the board that, during executive session, a motion was passed permitting Executive Director Scott Thornhill to telework over the next year. Scott will develop a plan for the board ensuring the Alexandria staff levels and production are maintained. * Executive Director's Report Scott Thornhill began by thanking the ACB staff for all they do, helping accomplish the organization's mission. He provided brief updates about key initiatives and programs, including ongoing advocacy work and the launch of ACB’s Accessibility and Training Services Department. Scott then asked ACB staff to report on their work. * Membership Services and Affiliate Update Membership Services Coordinator Cindy Hollis reported two special-interest affiliates recently left ACB, Blind Pride International and Visually Impaired Veterans of America. The Palmetto Council of the Blind (South Carolina) was approved as an affiliate one year ago. In 2025, there are potential new affiliations from Montana and another group. The board celebrated a 5.34% increase in membership from 2023 to 2024. Cindy shared some statistics about the ACB Community Program, which celebrated its five-year anniversary in March. Since its inception, the ACB community platform has held over 22,000 events, amassed 56,000+ volunteer hours, and engaged 182 volunteers in the year 2024 alone. Cindy introduced her new team member to the board. Michael Babcock was welcomed as the new Membership Services Administrative Assistant, bringing a focus on automation and efficiency to his role. * Fundraising, Development and Sponsorships The resource development team reported successes in fundraising, notably raising $37,800 in sponsorships for the D.C. Leadership Conference, a substantial increase from $4,000 last year. They aim to achieve $446,000 in sponsorships for the annual conference and $150,000 for the AD Awards Gala. * Social Media Strategy Mike Johnson, ACB's social media/external communications consultant, provided an overview of the social media strategy, emphasizing the use of platforms to raise awareness, advocate for issues, engage with the community, and highlight strategic partners. He highlighted the substantial increase in page views and followers in February across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. * Advocacy Efforts Claire Stanley, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, discussed the legislative imperatives, rule-making processes, and judicial updates that impact ACB and the blind and low vision community. She emphasized the importance of personal stories in advocacy and shared updates on ongoing efforts. * Accessibility and Training Services Coordinator Report Kolby Garrison provided an update on the Accessibility and Training Services program, which launched in February. The reception has been very positive, and Kolby has been receiving numerous requests related to accessibility issues and individual training. * ACB Media Update Rick provided insights into ACB Media's performance, noting an increase in Internet stream usage and old-time radio listenership. He also discussed cost-saving measures and transitioning aging infrastructure to AWS for better efficiency. * Financial Report Michael Garrett presented the financial summary for 2024, highlighting a total revenue of $2,377,800 and an overall net loss of $135,000. Despite market fluctuations impacting investment gains, ACB is making significant strides in resource development. * ACBES Report ACBES contributed $463,800 to ACB in 2024, thanks to excellent management of the thrift stores in Amarillo and Lubbock. Both stores are performing well, with Amarillo setting new daily sales records. * Board of Publications Update Katie Frederick announced the return of the "Member on the Mic" segment on the ACB Voices blog and discussed the upcoming candidates' forum (in June) and BOP awards due April 1. To nominate someone for Member on the Mic or assist with the interviewing, editing or transcription process, please reach out to Sharon Lovering in the national office. * Policy Update Koni Sims provided a brief update on the criteria for the Affiliate Outreach Award, which now recognizes both local chapters and affiliates for new outreach programs. * Strategic Plan Approval Scott Thornhill outlined the strategic plan for the upcoming year, covering various initiatives including organizational health, resource development, IT infrastructure updates, accessibility and training services, and employee hiring and retention. The board approved the plan. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:50 p.m. Eastern. * Upcoming Meetings Upcoming meetings this calendar year include a Zoom meeting May 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern, the convention board meeting Friday, July 4, and the fall board meeting October 31-November 1. ***** ** Passings We honor here members, friends and supporters of the American Council of the Blind who have impacted our lives in many wonderful ways. If you would like to submit a notice for this column, please include as much of the following information as possible. Name (first, last, maiden if appropriate) City of residence (upon passing) State/province of residence (upon passing) Other cities/states/countries of residence (places where other blind people may have known this person) Occupation Date of death (day if known, month, year) Age ACB affiliation (local/state/special-interest affiliates or national committees) Deaths that occurred more than six months ago cannot be reported in this column. * R. Creig Slayton February 4, 1941 -- March 12, 2025 Roger Creig Slayton (Creig), 84, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa, while surrounded by loved ones. Creig was born February 4, 1941 to H. Clifford and Helen (Sroufe) Slayton in Pocahontas, Iowa. He graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. He married Jo Ann (Jones) on September 5, 1964, in Des Moines. The couple made their home in Coralville, until moving to Des Moines in 1984. Creig and Jo raised two children together, Kevin and Kamela. Creig was employed by the state of Iowa Department for the Blind for 36 years as a vocational counselor, then director, before retiring in 2001. He was a devoted member of the Iowa Council of the United Blind and the East Des Moines Lions Club. He could often be found cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, L.A. Dodgers, and the Kansas City Chiefs. When not listening to sports broadcasts, Creig enjoyed woodworking, reading, and spending time with his beloved family. Those left to cherish Creig's memory include his wife of 60 years, Jo; son Kevin Slayton; daughter Kamela Bain; grandchildren Jenna, Brandon, and Jared Bain; several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Linda Slayton; and brothers Jerry and Dennis Slayton. Suggested memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, and the Iowa Council of the United Blind. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of R. Creig Slayton, please visit https://iles-westover-chapel.tributestore.com/sympathy-landing?oId=38889798. ***** ** Here and There edited by Cynthia G. Hawkins The announcement of products and services in this column does not represent an endorsement by the American Council of the Blind, its officers, or staff. Listings are free of charge for the benefit of our readers. "The ACB Braille Forum" cannot be held responsible for the reliability of the products and services mentioned. To submit items for this column, send a message to slovering@acb.org, or phone the national office at 1-800-424-8666, and leave a message in Sharon Lovering's mailbox. Information must be received at least two months ahead of publication date. * Keep Your Eye on the Ball Golf Tournament The Cleveland Eye Bank Foundation will hold the Keep Your Eye on the Ball golf tournament on June 16, 2025 at the Pine Hills Golf Club, 433 W. 130th St., Hinckley, OH 44233. If you're interested, register at https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/wqbTPpdCbsJo5Mn7nUOlFA. Games are four-person scramble. The price includes continental breakfast, boxed lunches, beverages, a day of golf, and automatic entry into the skins game. Prizes and side games will be available for purchase at registration, including auction items, mulligans and raffles. For more information, visit https://cleyebankfoundation.org/. * New Guide Dog Product! Memorialize the guide dog that means or meant so much to you with Danny's Guide Dogs' Labrador Retriever or German Shepherd pewter statue -- complete with harness. The statue weighs one pound and is 4.5 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 5.5 inches long. The dog is in a sitting position, looking slightly upward. The front of the pedestal allows room for an optional engraved message. The statue is made with lead-free pewter and is produced by master craftsman George Kysor, owner of the "Baker Art Foundry" in Placerville, Calif. For more information, contact Dan Kysor at (916) 706-1431, or email him, dankysor@comcast.net. * Lighthouse Guild Receives Grant Lighthouse Guild has received a $100,000 grant from the Frances G. Scaife Foundation to expand its ability to provide essential technology skills and assistive technology training for people who are visually impaired. With this generous contribution Lighthouse Guild will launch the Frannie Scaife Tech Training Initiative. The initiative will provide one-on-one training -- both in-person and remote -- to serve visually impaired individuals beyond the New York City area. Additionally, it will offer group sessions and special workshops focused on essential assistive technology skills. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yeys4x26. * Now Available from NBP There are a lot of new books available from National Braille Press. For adults, books include: "Healing Foods: 70 Recipes for Wellness" (by Cooking Light, available in braille and BRF); "Safe & Easy Steps to Lower Your Blood Pressure" (by Nutrition Action, also available in braille and BRF). If you recently acquired some new technology, these new and updated technology guides may be of some help. Updated: "iOS Basics for the Beginning User: Using Your iPhone with VoiceOver," by Atty Svendsen and updated by Paul Martz, 2 slim volumes. This update of the popular book includes information about the Braille Screen Input feature available in recent versions of iOS. The book guides you through the most important features of iOS and VoiceOver. New: iOS 18 Reference Card, by Anna Dresner and updated by Paul Martz, 1 small vol. New: "Online Safety for Blind Computer Users: Staying Secure in an Ever-Changing Digital World," by Kim Nova and Chris Nova, 1 volume. This book tackles the scarier side of the Internet, showing blind computer users how to increase their security online. It covers a wide range of dangers, such as online scams and malware, and offer solutions to help you protect your identity, your personal information, and your finances. In the children's section are "The Snail and the Whale," by Julia Donaldson. It's available in UEB for ages 3 to 8, and it comes with a stuffed whale toy. Also new is "Miss Tizzy," by Libba Moore Gray. It comes in UEB, and is geared toward ages 2-7. Many of you may remember "Stone Soup," by Jon J. Muth, from your childhood (or your children or grandchildren's). It is available in UEB, and is geared toward ages 2-7. For assistance with all NBP listings, call toll-free 1-800-548-7323 or (617) 266-6160 ext. 520, or order online at shop.nbp.org. ***** ** ACB Officers * President Deb Cook Lewis (1st term, 2025) 1131 Liberty Dr. Clarkston, WA 99403 * First Vice President David Trott (1st term, 2025) 1018 East St. S. Talladega, AL 35160 * Second Vice President Ray Campbell (1st term, 2025) 216 Prestwick Rd. Springfield, IL 62702-3330 * Secretary Denise Colley (final term, 2025) 26131 Travis Brook Dr. Richmond, TX 77406-3990 * Treasurer Michael Garrett (1st term, 2025) 7806 Chaseway Dr. Missouri City, TX 77489-2333 * Immediate Past President Kim Charlson 57 Grandview Ave. Watertown, MA 02472 ** ACB Board of Directors Christopher Bell, Pittsboro, NC (2nd term, 2028) Donna Brown, Romney, WV (2nd term, 2028) Peter Heide, Baraboo, WI (1st term, 2028) Gabriel Lopez Kafati, Miami Lakes, FL (1st term, 2026) Cecily Laney Nipper, Covington, GA (1st term, 2028) Terry Pacheco, Silver Spring, MD (1st term, 2026) Rachel Schroeder, Springfield, IL (1st term, 2026) Kenneth Semien Sr., Beaumont, TX (2nd term, 2028) Koni Sims, Sioux Falls, SD (1st term, 2026) Jeff Thom, Sacramento, CA (2nd term, 2026) ** ACB Board of Publications Katie Frederick, Chair, Worthington, OH (1st term, 2026) Jeff Bishop, Tucson, AZ (1st term, 2026) Belinda Collins, Saint Pauls, NC (1st term, 2026) Cheryl Cumings, Seattle, WA (2nd term, 2025) Zelda Gebhard, Edgeley, ND (3rd term, 2026) ***** ** Accessing Your ACB Braille Forums The ACB Braille Forum is available by mail in braille, large print, NLS-style digital cartridge, and via email. To subscribe to the email version, contact Sharon Lovering, slovering@acb.org. It is also available on ACB's web page, and on ACB Media, channel 10. Subscribe to the podcast versions from your 2nd generation Victor Reader Stream or from https://pinecast.com/feed/acb-braille-forum-and-e-forum. ###