THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN Florida Council of The Blind, Inc. March – April 2018 Articles for the White Cane Bulletin must be submitted to Greg Lindberg no later than the 15th of the month before it is published. Greg’s email is: glindberg@gmail.com If you do not have access to a computer and email please find someone in your chapter to help you. We want to hear from anyone who wants to contribute to our newsletter, so if you can not find a way to submit your article, call Greg and he will be glad to assist you. Articles published in The White Cane Bulletin are in compliance with Public Law No. 104197, Copyright Law Amendment of 1996. This law allows authorized entities to distribute copies of previously published non-dramatic literary works in specialized formats, including Braille, audio or digital text that are exclusively for use by Blind people or those with disabilities. Any further distributing of such articles in another than a specialized format is an infringement of copyright. Those much-needed contributions, which are Tax-deductible, can be sent to the Florida Council of the Blind treasurer, Linda Jacobson, at 2915 Circle Ridge Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065. To remember the Florida Council of the Blind in your Last Will and Testament, you may include a special paragraph for that purpose in your Will or Trust. If your wishes are complex, please contact the FCB at 800-267-4448. The FCB is a 501(c)(3) organization. For other ways to support the Florida Council of the Blind, visit our Fundraising page found at www.fcb.org. ARE YOU MOVING? – Sally Benjamin If you are moving please notify me of your new address so you will continue to receive your White Cane Bulletin. Also if you know of anyone interested in joining FCB and who would like to receive the White Cane Bulletin and the Braille Forum please contact me at: (850) 877-1512 or E-mail: salbenjamin@comcast.net TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Message by James Kracht…………………………………………………….3 A Letter from the FCB Treasurer by Linda Jacobson……………………………………....5 FCB Treasurer Candidate Letter by Mark Lear……………………………………………..5 FCB Vice President Candidate Letter by Cassandra Jessie……………………………...6 FCB Officer Position Open by Sally Benjamin……………………………………..……....7 Another Election Reminder by Shelley Sawyer……………………………………………7 Testimony to the Florida Senate by James Kracth…………………………………….….8 GOCB Update by Martha James…………………………………………………………...10 Sarasota Council Update by Karen Christie……………………………..........................10 My Day at the Braille Challenge by Roanna Bacchus……………………………….......12 News Tidbits by Patricia Lipovsky………………………………………………………….15 Medicare and Diabetes by Danielle Kunkle……………………………………………....16 Poetry Corner by Shelley Sawyer…………………………….........................................18 I Am No Different From You by Cassandra Farrish……………………………………...19 FCB Officers, 2016 – 2018……………………………………………………………….…20 Chapter and Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons……………………………………………21 Handy Telephone Number References…………………………………………………...23 *** President’s Message March-April 2018 By James Kracht It’s not always easy to be blind, but we have to keep on keeping on. Over the past few weeks, my phone and my inbox have been full of travel issues for blind travelers. Whether you use a sighted guide, a guide dog, or a white cane, traveler challenges are abound, but it’s a great time to live in America. We shall continue striving to overcome every challenge we face. As I sit to write this message, I am reminded of my fabulous trip to Europe last summer. At 6 a.m. on July 14th, I am in Milan Italy buying a train ticket to Berlin. I had just said good-by to my friend who was flying back to the United States to deal with the death of his son-in-law and granddaughter who were tragically killed in a plane crash. Obviously, I was not in the best frame of mind. Explaining my situation, I asked the ticket agent to forward my requested need for sighted assistance to change trains. My request was denied in spite of the unplanned emergency of my trip since I had not been able to give the required three-day advance notice. I was left standing at the counter, feeling very alone. I was wandering in a totally unfamiliar land, not knowing the trains or stations, how I would manage to disembark at the right station, and how I’d get on the correct train for Berlin. I thought that due to my emergency my request was simple and straightforward, even though the website said my request had to be made 3 days in advance. Was this an unreasonable denial of needed assistance? Yes. Six months later, FCB members were stunned and unhappy with the newly announced rules and regulations for passengers traveling with their guide dogs on United or Delta flights. It wasn't more than a year ago that dog users were at war with the discriminatory response of Washington, D.C. cabbies who would regularly leave blind passengers on the curb to wait for another cab. United says they’d leave things as they are for our travelers with trained guide dogs. It will now require passengers with emotional support and other inadequately trained service animals to provide documentation of vaccination and professional training certificates at least 48 hours in advance of travel. Delta, on the other hand, chose to require all passengers with service animals to provide the same specific documentation. The reaction has been quick, strong, and loud. Many view these regulations as having a chilling effect on airline travel. Some attention has been focused on the traveling service peacock. Suffice it to say, these reactions were in response to an increase in the number of untrained and undocumented animals brought into airline cabins. I, for one, can understand the need for regulations. I commend United Airlines for its response by recognizing the training and health of guide dogs. The plight of cane users isn’t any better. My phone rang a week ago with the upsetting story of an Orlando student who was stripped of his long white cane because it was considered to be “a safety hazard or a weapon.” This reminded me also of a student in another part of the country whose white cane was taken and who was given a pool noodle to use instead. Is this an overreaction? Are the civil rights of blind travelers regularly being interfered with, denied, or taken away? We can – and must – react with advocacy. The need for education on the importance of a blind traveler’s use of a sighted guide, a guide dog, or a cane is not yet fully understood. We cannot accept that which is based on ignorance, over reaction, impropriety, or discrimination. While we all as members of FCB strive to promote independence and equality of opportunity, we live in a society that, all too often, still thwarts that independence. Hindering the learning of blindness skills should not be impacted by bold and discriminatory treatment. Allowing a transportation provider to take away the independence of a blind traveler is intolerable and unacceptable. Likewise, the ill-informed and over reactionary airline mandate cannot be allowed to interfere with or hinder the constitutionally protected rights of blind travelers to travel with their fully trained and working guide dogs. *** A Letter from the FCB Treasurer By Linda Jacobson I would like to thank the FCB membership and officers for the opportunity of serving as your Treasurer for the past several years. It has been a challenging and gratifying experience. The challenge was to get FCB closer to a balanced budget. The gratification has been that this goal is now close to being met. This could not have been accomplished without the help of FCB's hard working officers and members. Thank you, and it has been an honor. It is time now for someone new to step up and take on the duties of FCB's Treasurer. I wish this new Treasurer smooth sailing. Sincerely Linda Jacobson *** FCB Treasurer Candidate Letter By Mark Lear Hi. My name is Mark Lear, and I’m interested in serving in the office of Treasurer for the Florida Council of the Blind. Currently, I’m the treasurer for our Daytona Beach Blind Bowlers, as well as for the Halifax Council of the Blind. I have served as the treasurer for the Daytona Beach Blind Bowlers since 1999 and for the Halifax Council of the Blind since 2008. I keep accurate and detailed records for these organizations. I recently retired from the Division of Blind Services in November of 2017. I worked there for 33 years and enjoyed teaching, providing assistance for the Help Desk for people who had questions about computer access software or needed BARD support. Prior to working for Blind Services, I taught for six years as a vision teacher for Volusia County Schools and worked for seven years at the Conklin Center for Multihandicapped Blind adults. I have been married to my wife and FCB executive assistant, Kati, for nearly 37 years. We enjoy taking vacations together, and we have attended many ACB Conventions. My recreational interests include spending time on my computer looking up information, walking, bowling, swimming, listening to music, and watching TV. I am very interested in serving as FCB’s Treasurer. If elected, I will keep accurate records and write detailed reports. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at (386) 788-0463 or by email at marklear@bellsouth.net. Thank you very much for your consideration. *** FCB Vice President Candidate Letter By Cassandra Jessie VITA of Cassandra Jessie 315 Wilder Boulevard Apartment #202 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 cassandrajessie@gmail.com 850-980-0177 My name is Cassandra Jessie, and I currently serve as the President of the Halifax  Council of the Blind in Daytona Beach.  I am interested in serving in the office of  Second Vice President in the Florida Council of the Blind.   I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a  Minor in “Independent Living” from Florida State University in 2009. Additionally,  I received an Associate of Arts Degree from St. John’s River Community  College in St. Augustine, Florida in 2004.   I am currently employed with the State of Florida’s Division of Blind Services where I hold the title of Senior Rehabilitation Specialist.  In this position, I teach Home Management skills to blind and visually impaired adults in the Independent Living Skills Program at the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind-in Daytona Beach.  I have worked with persons with disabilities for almost 30 years in various capacities, including Camp Counselor for the Florida Lions Camp and Senior Residential Instructor at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.  I have also worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Division of Blind Services, Teacher Aid for Leon County Schools, and as a Training Instructor for the Leon County Association for the Retarded (ARC).   I am active in the community and have held several offices in the Halifax Council of the Blind, including 1st and 2nd Vice President, Bylaws Committee, Fundraising Committee, and the White Cane Committee.  I hold the position of Membership Chair for the State of Florida’s Florida Council of the Blind. I am a member of the Daytona Area Lions Club, where I hold the office of Service Chair and Lion Tamer.   My past involvement in the community includes serving as 1st and 2nd Vice President of the Tallahassee Council of the Blind, and I served three years as president of ACCESS; an organization for disabled students at Florida State University.  The role of ACCESS is to ensure accessibility for disabled students on the FSU campus.  I am involved in my local church, and am a member of the church choir.  My interests include recreational reading, horseback riding, listening to music, spending time with children, and advocating for the disabled.   It would be a pleasure to serve the people of this state in order to help bring about political, educational, social, and economic changes and raise the awareness of accessibility issues.   *** FCB Officer Position Open By Sally Benjamin Have you always wanted to get involved at the FCB State level? Well, now is your chance.  I will not be running for FCB Membership Secretary this next time around. I will be more than happy to train someone for the position. You must have computer knowledge and preferably are skilled at using Microsoft Excel.  If you are interested, please step up to the plate and take on the task. It is a great way to get to know many of our wonderful members all over the state. To learn more about what’s required for this role, please contact me at salbenjamin@comcast.net. *** Another Election Reminder By Shelley Sawyer Hello again, FCB members and friends, As promised in the last WCB, I am back again with your final notice about the upcoming FCB election. This election, of course, will be held during the FCB state convention in May. I am sure everyone knows that. This article is just to remind us all – myself included – how important this is to our organization as a whole and to each of us as individual members. It appears that this year, we will have the opportunity – as well as the responsibility – to choose and elect an entirely new executive board. All of our officers from president to membership secretary will be leaving the board. Some will term out, and some have made the choice not to run for reelection. For those who might wish to run for office, as well as those of us who will be making the choices about whom to elect, this is a wonderful opportunity, but an awesome responsibility. For those who plan to run, please think about it seriously. Be certain in your mind that it is what you want to be doing for the next two years. Also, it would probably be a good idea to let people know you are seeking a particular office. I obviously can’t speak for anyone else, but I like to have a little time to think about the important choices I must make. For those planning to nominate someone for an office, please remember to make sure your nominee wants the job. For those of us doing the voting, I would sincerely hope that we would vote with our conscience, but vote after careful consideration. Two years can be a long time in today’s mixed-up world. However, I am confident that we will elect a qualified and enthusiastic group of officers, and that moving forward and working together, we will face the coming challenges head on and with a positive outlook. Good luck to those who choose to run for office, and blessings to all of us who value and take pride in our organization. *** Testimony to the Florida Senate By James Kracht The following is my testimony I presented to the Florida Senate’s Ethics and Elections Committee in February: February 20, 2018 James Kracht, FCB President Florida Council of the Blind 9901 SW 138th Street Miami, Florida 33176 Mobile 305-724-3720 Ethics and Elections Committee The Honorable Keith Perry Chair 412 Knott Building The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida February 20, 2018 Testimony Good afternoon, Senator Perry and honorable members of the Ethics and Elections Committee. My name is James Kracht, and I am here today as the president of the Florida Council of the Blind in support of the passage of SB 964. For more than a dozen years, Florida's blind voters in many counties have been forced to accept the status of second-class citizens and vote on old DRE touch screen voting machines. These machines were specifically found by the Florida legislature to be unreliable, without verifiable ballots and, thus, illegal for continued use by all Florida voters but the blind. As all of you know, it was 1954 when this nation's highest court specifically held that "separate but equal" is unlawful and discriminatory, resulting in unequal treatment in education and, thus, was not to be tolerated. If this discrimination is unlawful in education, it only follows that 65 years later, it is also unlawful to accept discrimination in voting. Honorable members of this committee who support the continuation of this discrimination in voting is just plain wrong. Florida's voters who are blind deserve the right and the privilege to have their counties provide more than old, retired voting machines that are not deemed fit for use by the rest of Florida's voters. This Legislature, the Florida Supervisors of Elections, the county Clerks, and the advocates who promote their own biased, non-inclusive agendas have stood by idly. They have knowingly assisted in the continued pushback of a mandate requiring accessible, verifiable voting by all counties for more than 13 years, or now until 2020. Further pushback and delay is intolerable and unacceptable. After all these years, SB964 must finally be passed and passed now. In response to our pleas, vendors have produced and obtained certification by Florida's Division of Elections of accessible voting machines with verifiable ballots. Now, with just 2 years to go, voters, and not just blind voters, but "all" voters must be given the ability and the right to vote on the same voting equipment and end the discrimination faced by blind voters in Florida. Allowing all voters in Florida to use the same voting system would mean that counties would no longer be forced to buy machines used only by the blind. The availability of these machines for all would reduce waiting lines in polling places. The continued availability and use of already outlawed and outdated voting machines must end. Folks like those from Verifiable Ballots only last week called requesting me to withdraw our support of this bill. They continue asking blind voters to again back off and accept the use of illegal, separate, unequal, and "different" voting machines. This we should not do. This you cannot do again. Please pass sb964 and let all voters have the ability, the opportunity, and the right to use the same voting machines. These machines do in fact have ballots which are verifiable, not just in the voting machine itself, but in the tabulator, and in the eye of the voter's hands as well. To suggest that the existence of an additional barcode on the ballots renders them nonverifiable is false – and misleading. Please support the adoption of SB 964, and give us and our sighted peers the same civil right to vote on the same voting machines. *** GOCB Update By Martha James GOCB once again broke from its annual tradition of having a bake sale in February to instead having Wendy Osteen from Vanda Pharmaceuticals come speak to us. She spoke about the latest research on the non-24-hour sleep disorder, which affects many visually impaired individuals. Our chapter has several busy months coming up. Our March meeting will be our bake sale, followed by our participation in the Sight and Soul Walk Fest to raise money for the Lighthouse of Central Florida. The walk will take place on March 3rd at Crane’s Roost from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sheila Young is the captain of our team, known as the GOCB Forever Young. We are looking forward to a good time while participating in a good cause. Dine and donate will take place on March 21st at Tijuana Flats, which is located at 7608 University Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792. Asli Goncer will keep the festivities lively with her music. We will be preparing to host another trivia night on April 21, 2018. Once again, it will be held at the VFW at 3500 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando. The cost is $25 per person or $150 for a table of six players. The cost includes one free drink. Come one, come all to a night filled with fun, laughter, and good times. The silent auction, which is always popular, will be part of this year’s event as well. A portion of the proceeds go to FCB. In addition, for those with computer access, GOCB is on Facebook. You can find us on Facebook by typing in “GOCB” in the search box. *** Sarasota Council Update By Karen Christie We finished 2017 with our tradition of having our Christmas party at the Lakehouse West. Everyone who came got a cute little stuffed animal with a candy cane, and we all enjoyed a wonderful meal and a delightful dessert. Red and white wine were also served to accompany our lunches. I send a sincere thank-you to Ruth Book who, as with every year, makes sure we could reserve a room for great food and fellowship. In fact, Vice President Tony Presley brought his guitar, and we got into the Christmas spirit by singing along to some holiday favorites. It was wonderful to spend the meeting having fun among friends while enjoying our meals, and getting ready for the New Year. Our January meeting was held on the 13th, at Denny’s, but there were some people absent due to the flu, including President Randy Reed and Vice President Tony Presley. I got sick earlier that month, and it held on for what seemed like awhile, but I’m much better now, and I hope everyone else is healthy considering how fast this virus seems to spread. At this meeting, officers Byron and his assistant, Brian, from Crime Stoppers, came to talk to our group about how to protect ourselves from various crimes. For instance, when they discussed identity theft, they emphasized the importance of shredding envelopes because thieves could easily steal the barcodes. One of the other important things they talked about was how one should carry police-grade pepper spray with them at all times for self-defense should someone try to sneak up behind them if they’re in a parking lot late at night or things like that. These were just a couple of the examples they discussed, and the meeting was very informative, especially because those of us who are visually impaired are much more vulnerable compared to those who have sight. We were given packets of information once the officer was finished with his presentation, and they also were selling pepper spray to those who needed to carry some for self-defense. At this meeting, some of our members emphasized once again how displeased they were with the transportation service we have here. A committee was formed so that anyone who has experienced problems could join if they want. Following this, we adjourned for the day. February’s meeting was held on the 10th at Denny’s. The minutes for last month, along with the treasurer’s report, were read. This meeting was significantly shorter since the guest speaker cancelled at the last minute. There was not as big of a turnout, and because both Merit and Lynne were absent, nothing was really said about the committee for people to discuss their problems with transportation services since they (Merit and Lynne are the two main members in charge of that committee). I do have one minor correction to make. The name of the transportation service that’s particularly accommodating to people ages fifty-five and older is ITN. Randy informed us that a speaker from the service will come talk to our group during our meeting in April. After other matters were discussed, such as our attendance of the state convention in May, and our chapter applying for the FCB scholarship, the meeting was adjourned. *** My Day at the Braille Challenge By Roanna Bacchus Blind students are often discouraged from learning to read and write Braille. In today's society, Braille is essential to the personal, academic, and employment success of all visually impaired students. Volunteering is a great way for people with disabilities to network and meet others and understand why they have chosen to come to an event. Since I learned to read and write Braille when I was young, I have accomplished many tasks in school and at home. Braille allows me to do everything from read and write to send and receive emails from friends and family around the world. My family is very supportive of my endeavors, whether it is the Braille Challenge or another event. In February, I had the honor of volunteering at the 2018 East Florida Braille Challenge, which was held at the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. The Braille Challenge is a national program created by the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, California. The Braille Institute allows any agency that wants to host a regional competition in their state to do so. The day of the event is often customized to include workshops and other activities for participants and their family members. Coordinators of regional competitions are provided with an official contest handbook that gives instructions about how to plan a Braille Challenge regional event. It is a competition designed to reward blind students for their proficiency in the use of Braille. In Florida, regional competitions are held from January through March in Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa. The Florida Instructional Materials Center For the Visually Impaired is the host agency for these events. FIMCVI provides textbooks and other instructional materials to eligible students around the state. Sue Glaser, a Teacher of the Visually impaired and Orientation and Mobility Instructor along with other FIMCVI staff members work hard to prepare for these events each year. Planning for these events begin several months before the competitions are scheduled to take place. I received the Save The Date flyer for this year's East Florida Braille Challenge in October of last year. I attended the very first Braille Challenge that was held in Tampa in February of 2008. On the morning of the event, my Mom, Dad, and I got in the car and headed off for a day filled with lots of fun and hard work. Ms. Glaser coordinates all of the activities that will take place during the day from the registration table to who will provide digital player support to the students. Each student who participates in the Braille Challenge competes in a series of contests throughout the day. Students are divided into five categories, which are Apprentice, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. Contestants are paired with sighted guides who escort them around the venue where the event is held. Individuals who are helping as volunteers must arrive to the venue early on the day of the event. Students who are participating in the Braille Challenge must register by completing a permission form that is signed by a parent and sent to the Braille Institute at the end of the competition. Contests are proctored by Teachers of the Visually Impaired, and scored by local certified braille transcribers. The tests are administered in Speed and Accuracy, Spelling, Proofreading, Reading Comprehension, and Charts and Graphs. The local transcribers who score the contests are from the Braille Association of Mid-Florida. This agency is a nonprofit organization that Brailled books for Braille Challenge participants around the state. When students arrived on the morning of the event, they were greeted by some teachers who were assisting at the registration table. I was on the other side of the table passing out hats to the students before they went into the main room. The Braillers were taken up to the rooms where the contests were held during the day. Students were given a goody bag that contained a t-shirt, which they were encouraged to change into. The shirts helped volunteers and staff members know which category the participants were in. Family members who attended with there participants were encouraged to check out some of the technology that is available to blind students after they graduate from high school. Representatives from Florida Reading and Vision Technology and Hims were on hand to discuss with parents of blind children the benefits that technology can provide to them. While the contests were being held upstairs, family members of the competitors were in a workshop where they discussed different aspects of having a child with a visual impairment. The theme for this year's Florida Braille Challenge is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Each student received a Braille copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in their goody bags. In the main room, there were different activities for the competitors to participate in before the contests began. Each activity was based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The participants received a golden chocolate bar in their goody bags. One of those bars of chocolate had a golden ticket inside of it. The winner of the golden ticket received a lifetime of Braille because of the sponsors of this event. In order to compete, each student must bring there Perkins Brailler to the competition. Students in the Sophomore, Junior Varsity, and Varsity categories must also bring there BookPorts and headphones to complete the Speed and Accuracy portion of the contest. When I attended the Braille Challenge as a participant, I used a cassette player and a foot pedal to complete this test. Contestants can begin practicing for this event once the practice materials are available. Vision teachers can emboss the practice materials for their students so they can practice whenever they have free time. FIMCVI staff bring braille paper for the competitors to use during the day. Vision teachers that are accompanying their students to the event are encouraged to bring extra Braillers in case one breaks. In January of last year, I performed a Google search to see where this event was being held. I was excited when I discovered that it had been moved to the Orlando area. After contacting the coordinator of the event, I decided that I would be a volunteer. I spent the day guiding the Sophomore students to their testing room and around the courtyard during the opening parade. After receiving the save the date flyer for this year's Braille Challenge, I decided I wanted to volunteer again this year. Each individual who is volunteering must complete the registration form before attending the event. On Friday, February 9, my Dad and I left home at 6:30 a.m. because I had to arrive at 7:30 a.m. in order to set up the registration table. I also donated some items to the Braille book fair at the East Florida Braille Challenge. These items included a Braille bible, a globe, and a book stand. The Braille Challenge is a wonderful program that I would encourage all blind students to participate in. Parents and students are asked to register for the Braille Challenge so that FIMCVI can tell the Florida Department of Education that this program should be sponsored. The Florida Department Of Education provides funding for the regional Braille Challenge competitions around the state. When I arrived at the venue, I went to the kitchen where I filled an ice cooler with bottles of water for the scorekeepers. Some of the other teachers and I divided grapes into smaller bunches, and put them into serving bowls that were placed on the breakfast table in the main room. After the opening ceremonies, I assisted in the kitchen preparing plates, napkins, and silverware for lunch. Another assistant and I went to the score room and took lunch orders from the scorekeepers. Olive Garden provided pasta, breadsticks, and salad for lunch. In the afternoon, the other assistants and I put out the afternoon snacks for the participants who finished their tests. Before the award ceremony at the end of the day, we went outside for the Drum Circle. Giving Tree Music provides the entertainment for all of the Braille Challenge events in Florida. I loved volunteering at this year's East Florida Braille Challenge. This year, I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful individuals from the National Federation of The Blind and the Lighthouse of Central Florida. The Lighthouse provides services to blind Central Floridians who live in Seminole, Orange, and Osceola Counties. I have been a client with this organization since I was 16 years old. I participated in the Lighthouse’s transition program for blind teenagers where students learn independent living skills that will help them to succeed in our daily lives. The Lighthouse also provides a Job Readiness course where clients wanting to enter the job market or go back to work learn about what it takes to find a job. The Lighthouse of Central Florida has students who participate in the East Florida Braille Challenge. At the end of the event, I completed an online survey about my experience at the Braille Challenge. Data from these surveys will be collected by the Florida Department of Education, which funds these events each year. After each event, the Florida Department of Education staff begins writing grants for the next year. I enjoyed my time at this year's event. My favorite part of the day was meeting some of the parents of the participants. Parents work hard to prepare their blind students for life in the future. The top 50 competitors from around Florida are invited to the Braille Challenge finals. The finals are held in Los Angeles in June of each year. At each event in Florida, there is a photographer who takes pictures of different things throughout the day. During the East Florida Braille Challenge, the photographer took pictures of the students getting their lunch. She also took pictures with the assistants in the kitchen to send to the restaurant. Olive Garden also provided a plate of delicious mint chocolates as a part of the meal. On the afternoon before the event took place, the volunteer coordinator and some of the TVIs from Orange County public schools went to the venue to help set up for Friday morning. I believe that all visually impaired students should learn to read and write Braille. Later this Fall, all regional competition host coordinators will participate in a conference call with the Braille Institute of America. This conference call is held so that host agencies can plan for next year's Braille Challenge season. At each competition, there is a score room for the scorekeepers who are assisting to score the student contests. Four months prior to the event, the site where the competition will be held must be checked to ensure that it is safe and secure for the next Braille Challenge. One week prior to the event, volunteer assignments are sent out to the event crew. Each member of the team is assigned to complete a specific task on the day of the competition. They need everything from sighted guides to parking attendants to ensure the event runs smoothly. The sighted guides are responsible for getting the students in their groups to the testing rooms that correspond with each category. Teachers of the visually impaired are the only individuals who are allowed to proctor the contests during the event. Proctors receive a set of guidelines that must be reviewed before the day of the competition. The teachers proctoring the Novice students are able to make their own activities for the participants to complete. These include games that can help the students to improve their Braille reading and writing skills. Overall, the Braille Challenge is a wonderful event that encourages blind students from the United States and Canada to keep up there Braille skills. *** News Tidbits By Patricia Lipovsky The following items were collected from other sources and submitted by Patricia Lipovsky: “Android Version of Be My Eyes” Be My Eyes is now available for Android users! Since launching the iOS version of the app in 2015, more than 550,000 sighted volunteers have signed up to assist our over 38,000 blind or visually impaired users. The launch of the Android version is a milestone that will bring free and unlimited visual assistance to even more people around the world, further enabling the blind and visually impaired to lead more independent lives. Download your version at http://bemyeyes.com/ or by searching for Be My Eyes in the Google Play Store. “FreeStyle Libre Gains FDA Approval” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, the first continuous glucose monitoring system that can be used by adult patients to make diabetes treatment decisions without calibration using a blood sample from the fingertip. The system reduces the need for fingerstick testing by using a small sensor wire inserted below the skin's surface that continuously measures and monitors glucose levels. Users can determine glucose levels by waving a dedicated, mobile reader above the sensor wire to determine if glucose levels are too high or too low, and how glucose levels are changing. It is intended for use in people 18 years of age and older with diabetes; after a 12-hour start-up period, it can be worn for up to 10 days. *** Medicare and Diabetes By Danielle Kunkle (Editor's Note: Danielle Kunkle is the founder/partner of Boomer Benefits, and on the Forbes Finance Council as a Medicare expert. To read this article online, go to https://boomerbenefits.com/medicare-and-diabetes/.) Diabetes is a health condition that affects millions of Americans, including many Medicare beneficiaries. It's also a condition that sometimes requires a lot of monitoring, so coverage is important when it comes to Medicare and diabetes. Fortunately, Medicare offers robust coverage related to diabetes, especially when paired with a Medigap plan. Most of the treatment related to diabetes falls under Parts B and D, although Part A will provide hospital coverage for any inpatient stays related to diabetes. In this article, we'll discuss various aspects of Medicare and diabetes care. Be sure not to miss my comments below about common billing problems regarding diabetes supplies so you can learn how to avoid them. What Medicare Part B Covers for Diabetes Part B is your outpatient insurance, and it covers a vast array of services for diagnosing and treating diabetes. Let's break them into sections to make it easier for you to learn. Medicare Screenings and Prevention for Diabetes All people on Medicare get coverage for an initial Welcome to Medicare physical exam. Afterward, they also qualify for an annual wellness visit. During these visits, Medicare Part B will cover preventive screenings, such as the fasting blood glucose test, to people at risk of developing diabetes. Conditions that put you at high risk for diabetes include older age, high blood pressure or cholesterol, obesity, cardiac disease or history of high blood sugar. A family history of diabetes is also considered a risk factor. When your doctor orders a screening test for you, Part B will cover up to two screenings per year. These screenings are covered 100% by Part B. Medicare Part B can also provide screenings for dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, high fasting glucose, and the very common hemoglobin A1C test. ** Medicare and Diabetes Diagnosis Once diagnosed with diabetes, Medicare Part B will cover up to 10 hours of diabetes self-management training (DSMT). This is important as you will monitor your own blood sugar levels to keep your diabetes in check. DSMT includes information on the benefits and risks of blood sugar control, how to recognize complications and how to adjust emotionally to a diagnosis of diabetes. With a written doctor's order, beneficiaries can also get approved for an additional two hours of DSMT annually. This training is often beneficial to people with diabetes when they are changing from no medication to beginner medications, or from oral medications to insulin medications. Your doctor might also prescribe nutrition therapy so that you can learn to adapt your diet for better control of diabetes. Part B covers this. A diabetes diagnosis will also qualify you for an annual eye exam for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma tests every year. ** Routine Foot Care People with Medicare and diabetes also qualify for foot exams every six months if they have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This benefit is accessible only if you have not seen a foot care specialist for another reason in between visits. TIP: Over the years we've met many diabetics who are not taking advantage of this benefit because they've read online or been told by a friend that Medicare doesn't cover routine foot care. While that may be true for non-diabetics, Medicare does often cover these visits for people with diabetes who are at risk for circulation problems and diabetic neuropathy. If that's you, don't miss out! Ask your doctor today. *** Poetry Corner By Shelley Sawyer Greetings, Dear Reader, During the years when I was a real country music fan, one of my favorite artists was Tom T. Hall. Well, he is still a favorite of mine. I guess I am just no longer a real fan of today’s country music. I always thought Tom T. Hall told such great stories in his music. This is one of my favorites. Enjoy. A Week in a Country Jail By Tom T. Hall One time I spent a week inside a little country jail, And I don't guess I'll ever live it down; I was sittin' at a red light when these two men came and got me, And said that I was speeding through their town. Well, they said,"Tomorrow morning you can see the judge then go." They let me call one person on the phone; I thought I'd be there overnight so I just called my boss, To tell him I'd be off but not for long. Well, they motioned me inside a cell with seven other guys, One little barred up window in the rear; My cellmates said if they had let me bring some money in, We ought to send the jailer for some beer. Well, I had to pay him double 'cause he was the man in charge, And the jailer's job was not the best in town; Later on his wife brought hot bologna, eggs and gravy, The first day I was there I turned it down. Well, next morning they just let us sleep but I was up real early, Wonderin' when I'd get my release; Later on we got more hot bologna, eggs and gravy, And by now I wasn't quite so hard to please. Two days later when I thought that I had been forgotten, The sheriff came in chewin' on a straw; He said, "Where is the guy who thinks that this is Indianapolis? I'd like to talk to him about the law." Well, I told him who I was and told him I was working steady, And I really should be gettin' on my way; That part about me bein' who I was did not impress him, He said, "The judge'll be here any day." The jailer had a wife and let me tell you she was awful, But she brought that hot bologna every day; And after seven days she got to lookin' so much better, I asked her if she'd like to run away. The next mornin' that old judge took every nickel that I had, And he said, "Son, let this teach you not to race." The jailer's wife was smilin' from the window as I left, In thirty minutes I was out of state. *** I Am No Different From You By Cassandra Farrish I’m a College student, daughter, sister, and mom; But most importantly, I’m a child of God. My life is a testimony to the power of the lord. Who raised me up and empowered me to soar I feel I can accomplish anything I set my mind to do. With hard work and determination, I’m no different from you. Though I prefer to be independent with such tasks as cooking, cleaning and shopping; there are times, that I do require assistance. Life is what you make it, we must all run the race. I prefer to march in my own pace, looking life squarely in the face. From step one; I was determined to embrace my life to the fullest. You see, I exited the womb with limited sight. For many this would be an unfortunate plight. Not for this child of God, this creation of the most high. You see,it was with god’s loving and assuring hands I was taught to fly. I would like to end with Maya Angelou’s definition of success. Success is; liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. *** FCB OFFICERS, 2016 – 2018 President, James Kracht 9901 SW 138th Street, Miami, FL 33176 jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 or 407-378-3477 1st Vice-President, Dan Spoone 3924 Lake Mirage Blvd., Orlando, FL 32817 danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 2nd Vice President, Doug Hall 1405 Edgewater Road, Daytona Beach, FL 32114-5859 dhall318@cfl.rr.com (386) 255-0377 Treasurer, Linda Jacobson 2915 Circle Ridge Dr., Orange Park, FL 32065 lfjacobson@gmail.com (904) 272-8405 Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin 1531 Dempsey Mayo Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 salbenjamin@comcast.net 850-877-1512 Recording Secretary, Debbie Drylie 1544 Walnut Creek Dr., Flemming Island, FL 32003 debbiedrylie@gmail.com (904) 228-7102 Immediate Past President, Paul Edwards 20330 N.E. 20th Ct., Miami, FL 33179 edwards.paul955@gmail.com (305) 692-9206 Editor of White Cane Bulletin, Greg Lindberg 3145 Meadow View Ln., Palm Harbor, FL  34683 glindberg@gmail.com (727) 543-9807 *** Chapter and Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons "Please contact your officer liaison if we can be of assistance or if you need anything from the Executive Committee." Broward- Paul Edwards edwards.paul955@gmail.com (305) 692-9206 Clay- Dan Spoone danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 Greater Miami- Debbie Drylie debbiedrylie@gmail.com (904) 228-7102 Greater Orlando- Doug Hall dhall318@cfl.rr.com (386) 255-0377 Halifax- Linda Jacobson lfjacobson@gmail.com (904) 272-8405 Jacksonville- Linda Jacobson lfjacobson@gmail.com (904) 272-8405 Manatee- Dan Spoone danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 Miami Beach- Paul Edwards edwards.paul955@gmail.com (305) 692-9206 Miami Metro- Paul Edwards edwards.paul@gmail.com (305) 692-9206 Palm Beach- Jim Kracht jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 or 407-378-3477 Pensacola- Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net 850-877-1512 Pinellas- Doug Hall dhall318@cfl.rr.com (386) 255-0377 Sarasota- Dan Spoone danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 Southwest- Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net 850-877-1512 Tallahassee- Debbie Drylie debbiedrylie@gmail.com (904) 228-7102 Tampa- Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net 850-877-1512 Venice- Dan Spoone danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 BRLF- Dan Spoone danspoone@cfl.rr.com (407) 678-0075 CCTB- Debbie Drylie debbiedrylie@gmail.com (904) 228-7102 FCCLV- Doug Hall dhall318@cfl.rr.com (386) 255-0377 GDUF- Linda Jacobson lfjacobson@gmail.com (904) 272-8405 RSVF- Jim Kracht jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 or 407-378-3477 *** Handy Telephone Number References Project Insight: (800) 267-4448 Bureau of Braille & Talking Book Library: (800) 226-6075 Division of Blind Services, State Office: (800) 342-1828 American Council of The Blind: (800) 424-8666 (Available 3:00 to 5:30 P.M. EST Monday-Friday only) ACB Legislative Hotline: (800) 424-8666 (Available evenings 8:00 P.M. to 12:00 Midnight EST and weekends 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. only) AT&T Disability Services: (800)872-3883 Press 00 and speak with your long distance carrier, or Florida only: (800)982-2891 BellSouth Disability Services: (800)982-2891 (From anywhere) Social Security: (800) 772-1213 (24-hour voice and touch tone accessible - THE END- FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND 1531 Dempsey Mayo Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 21 21