THE WHITE CANE BULLETIN Florida Council of The Blind, Inc. November – December 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 cannot 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, Mark Lear, at 708 Kristina Court, Port Orange, FL 32127. 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 Sheila Young…………………………………………………………………….3 FCB Awards Committee Reminder by Shelley Sawyer………………………………………………..…..4 GOCB Update by Martha James……………………………………........................................................5 Sarasota Council Updates by Karen Christie…………………………………………………………….....5 Disability Awareness Week Gives “Insight” to Englewood Elementary Students by Cachet Wells…………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Mumbles from Miami by Paul Edwards……………………………………………………………………....7 Labor Is the Key by Doug Towne……….............................................................................................9 Why I Love My Cane and What It Means to Me by Jasmyn Polite……………………………………..10 Taking a Swing at Golf by Greg Lindberg………………………………………………………………....11 Arcade by Shelyna Mafnas………………………………………………………………………………....12 Poetry Corner by Shelley Sawyer……………………………………………………………………….…13 Amazon Smile Correction by Greg Lindberg……………………………………………………………..15 FCB Officers, 2018 – 2020……………………………………………………………………………….…16 2018-2020 FCB Chapter and Special Affiliate Officer Liaisons…………………………………………………………………………………………….…17 Handy Telephone Number References………………………………………………….........................19 *** President’s Message November-December 2018 By Sheila Young? Dear FCB members, As I sit here to write this message, I am thoughtful of the many wonderful things happening around our state. Currently, chapters are preparing for their celebrations of White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Day. It is truly impressive how this recognition has brought considerable education to our public community and the awareness of the White Cane law. Please be aware that October is Disability Employment Awareness month, and there is need to focus on the issues that are keeping many in our membership from finding employment. We all need to consider how we can work to improve the opportunities out there and increase employers’ awareness that we have much to offer if allowed to show them we are able, not “unable.” Additionally, we are facing the upcoming midterm elections, and I do hope each one of us is seeking out education and information on the candidates and issues and will be honoring our privilege to vote, no matter how one chooses to execute that right. I am also reflecting on the next few months and the approaching holidays. We are so blessed that we have such a vast FCB family with whom we can share our time, thoughts, and friendship. Please remember to enjoy your family, friends, and chapter members in celebrating life and the holidays, no matter what your beliefs may be. Consider reaching out to those that may not have anyone to share the upcoming days with and try to share a little love with them. I know our organization has much to be thankful for, and we can certainly spread that light around! My wish is for all of you to have a fulfilling and safe holiday! Sincerely, Sheila Young, FCB President *** FCB Awards Committee Reminder By Shelley Sawyer Dear FCB members and friends, This year, the FCB Awards Committee is desirous of honoring all members who deserve recognition for their devotion to improving the lives of the blind and visually impaired community. Our committee is dedicated to keeping submissions confidential, and the recipients will be announced at our state convention, which will be held in Orlando in May of 2019. Please take a look at our awards listed on the fcb.org web site, and consider a submission honoring those who take time out of their day, whether it is a member, organization, or a person in the community who blesses your life with their service to us. The committee accepts all submissions, and the absolute deadline for entries is March 15th, 2019. If you wish to submit a letter for an award, please e-mail it to Seabelle031@gmail.com. If you have any questions regarding our awards or system, please feel free to contact one of our committee members. Thank you for taking time to honor the people who assist in making life better for us! Sincerely, Shelley Sawyer, Awards Chairperson Seabelle031@gmail.com 850-765-9111 *** GOCB Update By Martha James GOCB participated in another annual White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Day. It was held at Princeton Elementary School in Orlando. We were fortunate to have Commissioner Clark, Orange County commissioner, Reginald McGill from the Orlando mayor’s office, along with Commissioner Stuart. We also had the support of many Orlando policemen, representatives from Lighthouse Central Florida, members from our chapter, members of NFB of Central Florida, and guests joining in the walk. We had a mini expo with venders showing technology, the accessible voting machine, and other items. The highlight was the guide dog puppies in their demonstration of how smart they are! It was a great event! Our chapter will celebrate another Dine and Donate on October 24 at Tijuana Flats. Asli Goncer will be performing. Her music always keeps the festivities lively. There will be a hot sauce raffle for those who like things on the spicy side. Our chapter has a couple of busy months coming up. Starting in November, the chapter will participate in the midyear board meeting. The nominating committee has proposed a slate of officers for our election at the November meeting, which will be held on November 10. The slate includes Sheila Young for president, Martha James for first vice president, Craig Marquis for second vice president, Mattie Hickson for recording secretary, Pam Sogge for treasurer, and Leslie Spoone for membership secretary. To round out the year, the chapter will hold its annual Christmas luncheon on December 1 at the home of Gary Sinclair, which is located at 7202 Knottypine Ave., Winter Park, FL 32792. The party will be catered by Sonny’s Restaurant. Anyone wishing to attend should make it known by the next meeting so that an accurate count can be determined. We wish all of you a very happy and safe holiday season! In addition, for those with computer access, GOCB is on Facebook. You can find us on Facebook by typing “GOCB” in the search box. GOCB invites all readers of this newsletter to “like” us on this social network. *** Sarasota Council Updates By Karen Christie Well, the summer meet and eats seemed to be successful, and we are now back in business once again. I’m glad that no unwanted guests like Hurricane Irma ripped through Florida as opposed to last year. As you may recall, we were planning on having our September meeting on the 9th last year, but Irma threw a wrench into those plans, as they say. Luckily, Hurricane Florence missed Florida, but my prayers go out to those who were affected by that storm as well as those in the Panhandle whose houses were destroyed by Hurricane Michael. On a happier note, our Sarasota meetings are off to a great start, and the holidays are just around the corner. Yes, I know; I can’t believe I’m saying that, either. Where is this year going?! Our September meeting was held on the 8th at Denny’s. The turnout seemed to be okay, but many of our members don’t come back until October or November since we have a lot of snowbirds in our Council. After the reading and the approval of both the minutes from May and the Treasurer’s report, Randy talked a little about the state convention in Jacksonville. I was not at the convention, but there were some Council members who went to it. Randy seemed to find the exhibit hall very interesting. He also said there were various seminars and workshops, so it sounds like it was fun, yet informative at the same time. Our speaker for the meeting was Nicole from the Mana-Sota Lighthouse for the Blind. She came to talk a little bit about the White Cane Awareness Walk, and she stayed for a while in case members wanted to register for it when they were at Denny’s. She was also more than happy to answer any questions regarding the walk. There wasn’t any business to discuss, so we finished rather early last month. Our October meeting was on Saturday the 13th at Denny’s. After the readings of last month’s minutes and Treasurer’s report, we talked a little about the White Cane Safety Walk. It was held on October 6th at Payne Park in Sarasota. I did not attend the walk, but Randy said there were seven members from our group who came to show their support. From what I heard, you could either participate in the half-mile or mile walk on one of the park’s nature trails. Randy said they even had to “dodge some bikes” along the way! A couple of our members were on TV as one of the local stations came to do a quick story about the walk. It sounded like it was successful and that everyone enjoyed getting some exercise while supporting a great cause. We had no guest speaker for this meeting, and we adjourned an hour early. A motion was approved that Lynn will chair the nominating committee. Next month will be a busy meeting as we will elect our next set of officers. Until then, it’s great to be “back in business” once again, and I look forward to updating you on the latest happenings with our Council. *** Disability Awareness Week gives "Insight" to Englewood Elementary Students By Cachet Wells October 16, 2018 - They may be visually impaired, but three very special volunteers from the Jacksonville Council of the Blind are helping Englewood Elementary students see how life's challenges can be overcome. In honor of Disability History and Awareness Weeks (Oct. 1-14), the three guests (Sherry Molengraft, Barbara Brown and Cachet Wells) sat down with the school's 1st grade students to discuss how they navigate through life despite their visual impairments. The volunteers also had a chance to read braille books to the students such as "Oh the Places You Will Go" and "Green Eggs and Ham." Afterwards, students got a more hands-on experience with braille and even got their own sheets containing the braille alphabet. Principal Dino Mullin said events like these help shed light on the concept of differences students may encounter among their peers, and also reminds the students to educate themselves on those differences rather than judge others. *** Mumbles from Miami By Paul Edwards Who Do They Think We Are? Whether we like it or not, people who are blind don't operate in a vacuum. We are part of a larger society and, unfortunately, are a very small part of that larger group. It is interesting to look at the history of our perceived position among disability groups because, I would argue, that position has changed significantly over the past few decades. It isn't often recognized just how important people who are blind were in the early civil rights movement of people with disabilities. Long before the independent living movement in Berkeley and elsewhere began to raise societal consciousness about disability, blind people had been players in significantly seeking recognition of the special circumstances that are faced by people who are blind. As early as the 1880s, there were organizations of blind people active in the Midwest and the organization from which ACB came, the National Federation of the Blind, was formed in 1940. By the 1970s, NFB and ACB had already had a significant impact legislatively and societally. Blind people were defined as a group in social security legislation and were and are treated differently than are people with other disabilities. Though it has just disappeared, there was a Federal income tax deduction based on blindness that has existed for decades. For a long time, the vast majority of states had separate agencies serving people who are blind, which had the effect of creating more opportunity for our disability to be publicized and perhaps better understood. Before AIDS appeared on the scene and cancer became better understood, blindness was the most feared disability. That led to folks being open to seeing blind people as having special needs that ought to be supported by public funding and private charity. When the independent living movement burst onto the scene in the 1970s and 1980s, there was suddenly competition and then there were folks who were deaf. They suddenly became players demanding fuller inclusion. Arguably, they got the most out of the ADA with the creation of a huge TTY network under Title IV of the Act. Nationally, and then in Florida, the next twenty years were characterized by the emergence of people with intellectual disabilities as the new focus of legislative and funding priority. The point of this history is to suggest that the needs of blind people went from central to marginal in the perceptions of our society. Other disability groups were jealous of the advantages we had gained legislatively, and they have consistently opposed separate agencies. The truth is that the capacity to be effectively rehabilitated as a blind person has been continuously eroded over the past two decades. Separate agencies have disappeared from many states. the Federal decisions on excluding closures through National Industries for the Blind as not integrated lost potential successful employment placements for blind people. Recently home maker closures and unpaid family worker closures have been disallowed. The net result is that it is harder to get effective placements for blind people that count. Perhaps the most important change that has occurred, though, relates to how blindness and blind people are now seen by others. As part of the old "medical" model of disabilities, people who were blind could expect to be seen by others as the most disabled population out there. They were able to get the legislative advantages they got because people felt sorry for them. The emergence of consumer organizations and the civil rights movement changed that. Once we said that we had rights, we lost the pity of the rest of society and became perceived to be just another of those disability or minority groups who were trying to game the system and take a drink at the Federal and state welfare troughs. Obviously, I am generalizing here. There are a lot of people who still see blind people as in need of help and we can, if we advocate appropriately, still persuade folks that our needs should be considered. However, there is not the same compassion for blindness that used to exist. There is more and more competition for fewer and fewer dollars, particularly at the state level. We need to work harder to compete for scarce dollars if we are not to fall further behind. We have made some decisions that I think are right; but they have consequences. We have decided that we want to be seen as people with abilities and not so much as people to be pitied. We have dared to suggest that it is not our disability that keeps us back so much as it is a society that purposefully excludes us. We challenge the state and employers who believe we are not capable. We sometimes claim that we are being discriminated against by governments and by private enterprises. We have fought to make the state's web site more accessible. We have tried to get state procurement systems to buy technology that makes it possible for blind people to compete for jobs rather than excluding us! All these actions have led to a situation where we are perceived as players for our civil rights rather than as objects for charitable concern. It seems to me that the consequences of this new situation require us to rethink how we "market" ourselves to the rest of the world. We are capable. We are being discriminated against by employers and by governments. Yet, according to the Department of Justice, the disability group least likely to file complaints are people who are blind. I think we have to recognize that we gain nothing by being nice guys. We have to be prepared to assertively claim our rights because it is the only option left to us. ACB is going through a process where we are "rebranding" ourselves. This means we are looking at how we are being perceived and trying to make that perception more positive and more visible. We have to look at doing the same in Florida. Social media is an important way to gain wider recognition. ACB has worked to create a Facebook and Twitter presence. Perhaps FCB should do the same. The bottom line is that we have lost a lot over the past several decades by failing to make our needs better known and understood. ACB passed a resolution last Summer that suggested that there were huge technological advantages available to people who are blind now and that we need to demand that the Federal government provide allocations that will allow blind people to reap the benefits of these new opportunities. At the state level, we need to be more active trying to be sure that people who are blind get a chance to be trained in some of the new technologies or our competitive advantage will disappear. It seems to me that FCB has a huge role to play. We must take the lead in looking at where we are and how we are perceived. We must make plans aimed to improve our competitive advantage, and we must clearly articulate just how capable we are to people, whether they want to listen or not. We know how good we are! Let's make sure others know it too! *** Labor Is the Key By Doug Towne On Labor Day, we thank the men and women who have built America. Those who have toiled to build the railroads, bridges, tunnels, and great buildings to those who create ships, airplanes, automobiles, and the rockets that took us to the moon. We are all a part of the great American workforce. Now comes the twenty-first century with the need to keep building the dreams of people into an accessible, livable future. It is information technology that is lighting the way to that future. The potential of accessible information technology means that people with disabilities can be a greater part of the American labor force than ever before. The 70% unemployment rate of the disabled today can become a mystery of the past. People with disabilities represent one of the greatest untapped labor resources in the nation’s history. With the advent of information and emerging technologies, the frustrations of how to best utilize this resource can fade away. Technology is turning limitations of the past like difficulties in transportation, the need to communicate electronically, and the desire to work from home into great advantages. A great shift away from the brick-and-mortar workplaces of the past is taking place, just as the self-employment (subcontractor) trend is putting more control in the hands of workers at all levels. These shifts in labor mean greater flexibility for both the workers and those needing the work done – control that will be of great advantage to workers with disabilities. When I became blind in 1967, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 70% or higher. Today it is still the same. Throughout our history, politicians and bureaucrats love to bemoan rising unemployment numbers or trumpet rising employment rates. Seldom, if ever, do the same individuals highlight the unemployment rates among the disabled. This is a shameful reality across government entities. Yes, we spend billions on rehabilitation without much result as evidenced by the unreasonably high unemployment rate among the disabled. Is this because there is no real policy shift that supports the employment of people with disabilities? A policy shift like the Access Ready Environments Initiative. Without such policy shifts, all the rehabilitation money possible will make little difference. Throwing money at a problem is often only half of the solution. Complex social issues like the rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities into the mainstream workforce require a paradigm shift in thinking and behavior. This must begin and be supported by policy changes. The Americans with Disabilities Act has proven that you cannot just pass a law and throw money at a problem to bring about such fundamental change. The information technology age has brought about an even greater opportunity to support such a policy shift. Over the next five years, we must move toward building an Access Ready Environment through information technology. It is a shift that can have a great long-term effect on the employment of people with disabilities. As a paradigm shifting movement, the Access Ready Environments Initiative is beginning where all great change starts to build toward a tipping point, which is the local level. While it can also be the most difficult it is in the cities and counties where people really see the need and can change policy, which is understood as “just doing the right thing.” It is true that this is where the most parochial attitudes and uneducated stubbornness is found, but it is the goodness of people who will overcome this entrenched opposition. Through this initiative, we can change the employment landscape for people with disabilities utilizing accessible information technology if we will only require it in a rising tide that shows labor is the key. Douglas George Towne Chairman, Disability Relations Group *** Why I Love My Cane and What It Means to Me   By Jasmyn Polite   Imagine having limited side vision, also known as tunnel vision where you are not able to see what’s on your sides or what’s coming from up-and-down, such as a step off or a dangerous snake on the floor. This is where the white cane comes in handy. Canes are great because they can feel whether something is in front of you or if there is a step off on the sidewalk or stairs. Well, let me tell you about my experience with using a cane and how it has affected my life.   I remember the first time I used my cane in fourth grade at my School, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (FSDB). At that time, I didn’t really use my cane that much because I was afraid of people or family outside of my blind community making fun of me, so I used my cane at my school only. Even sometimes with school, I didn’t use my cane except for orientation and Mobility lessons with my teachers. That all changed one day when I was running to a Christmas party near Wortman Hall in the deaf department of FSDB. I didn’t have my cane with me because I thought I would be fine without it since I have some sight. However, I was wrong because as I was running, I didn’t see a curb and “boom!” I tripped and fell over it. My knees were hurt and I scraped my hands on the concrete. I felt stupid because I should’ve brought my cane with me so I wouldn’t get hurt. I should’ve also remembered that I have glaucoma and I can’t see too well, especially the fact that it was dark that day. But I was so used to not using my cane that much, so I didn’t think too much of it. This incident taught me that my cane is very important because I don’t have any good peripheral vision, and I have limited vision in my left eye. As a result, I started using my cane over the years with assistance from my orientation & mobility teacher. After I graduated from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, I moved to Iowa where I met my mentor,” Ted Hart, at the National Federation of the Blind. He started helping me with my cane skills and giving me constructive criticism on how to better use my cane. This advice helped me improve my travel skills an build confidence in myself as a visually impaired person. Today, I use my cane everywhere I go and enjoy the feeling of being independent without getting seriously hurt. Whenever I use my cane, whether it’s at school or other places I go, I sometimes get questions like, ”how do you walk across the street?” or “how well can you see?” I simply answer their questions politely and educate them on blindness. My advice to anyone who is blind or visually impaired is to consider your safety depending on how severe your visual impairment is and ignore what people think of you. At the end of the day, you know what tools in your life will help you be safe! In my heart, my cane keeps me safe from everything – puddles, surprises left by dogs, cracks, and cars. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved to travel, and now that I know how to use my cane the right way, I enjoy traveling more – but safely! *** Taking a Swing at Golf By Greg Lindberg Did anyone else out there in the land of WCB readers know that there’s a National Blind Sports Day? I sure didn’t. Turns out, the day falls on October 6. I was excited to find out that the local Lighthouses in my area were putting on some cool events for this “holiday.” One of them was geared specifically toward their transition students, but the other one was open to people of all ages. It was a blind golf clinic at which they provided a “crash course” – pun intended – on how to golf, specifically with a focus on hitting the course as a blind or visually impaired individual. While I’ve tried my hand at mini golf and the driving range, I can’t say my resume has much golf experience on it. So, I thought I’d check out this event and see what it was all about. The first thing they had me do was properly hold a golf club. Then they had a large sack stuffed with what felt like towels sitting on the ground. They wanted me to hit this sack several times, changing how fast I would swing the club to generate more velocity and accuracy. At first, this seemed a little bizarre, but I realized the main goal of this activity was to focus on hitting something that wouldn’t move – and obviously something heavier and larger than a little golf ball. The next station was designed to teach us about driving the ball. An older gentleman took at least 35 or 40 minutes to work with me on form and how to properly position my body to hit the ball a long way. I successfully hit the ball over 100 yards a few times, which really surprised me. The man described exactly what the trajectory of each drive was and about how far away the balls landed. The final stop was at a putting station. A woman named Jan showed me the technique of gently putting the ball into a hole that was just six feet to my left. Little did I know Jan was actually Jan Stevenson, a longtime member of the LPGA Tour and three-time major champion on tour. It was Jan who started an organization called the Crossroads Foundation to allow disabled military veterans and blind and visually impaired individuals to enjoy the game of golf through her foundation and the Tarpon Woods Golf Club she had recently purchased in Palm Harbor, which is in north Pinellas County. I would say it was an interesting experience and something out of the box for me. But I still prefer a game like beep baseball where I know there’s obviously a little more action, and I also feel more independent swinging a bat at the plate or running in the field to track down the ball rather than always needing a partner to assist me with golf. It sure would be cool, though, to see someone invent a beeping golf ball and perhaps even a buzzing flag stick at each hole on a course to make the game more accessible to blind and visually impaired golfers. I wanted to recommend that each chapter recognize National Blind Sports Day in some way next year. I think it would be great to see members get together and participate in a sport they’d be comfortable doing, or just bringing this up at one of your chapter meetings and recognizing that there is such a day is a good first start. I realize that many individuals out there may not be physically able to participate in an activity on a field or court, but I am a strong advocate for making it known that there are many adapted activities for blind and visually impaired individuals to enjoy and get some exercise doing. *** Arcade By Shelyna Mafnas  Blue lights, red sirens, but I didn't hear a thing  Ten blocks away from fixing this tire, just trying to stay out of the heat  They said he was angry for losing the game  So he opened fire in this little arcade  Now three lives lost and eleven plus will never be the same  But I didn't hear a thing...  Downtown Jacksonville, nearly every road  Quarantined, asking questions, for answers  nobody knows  You could see it block by block  Yellow tape, news coverage  And everybody likes to talk  But I didn't know a thing  No I didn't know a thing...  I must have walked by this place a million times  Only been inside once or twice  But this never would have crossed my mind  Now everybody's asking why?  But I didn't see a thing  No I didn't see a thing...  Now new prayers are lifted and hugs from all over the country  Flowers and cards lined against the wall  And somebody's face on someone's Facebook page  Some memorial stage with all their names  But it never stops  Oh will it ever stop?  And tonight somebody will be hurting  someone crying  For what seems like no reason at all  and this week somebody has to bury someone  All because someone lost...  Blue lights, red sirens, but I didn't hear a thing  Ten blocks away from fixing this tire  Just trying to stay out of the heat...  But I didn't hear a thing...  Rest in Peace Chicago Pizza #3  August 26, 2018 Written after the Jacksonville Landing shooting)  *** Poetry Corner By Shelley Sawyer Greetings dear readers, The poem below is a variation on a very old favorite. It first came to me as an email several years ago. I liked it so much I hoped I would always keep it. However, as we all know as users of technology, sometimes even our favorite things disappear into the Datasphere. I got the idea that this would make an enjoyable item for the WCB. I went searching for it and was delighted to learn that it came from Guide Dogs for the Blind and was written by one of their puppy raisers. George, my very dearest and best friend, this one is especially for you, wherever you roam across Rainbow Bridge. A GUIDE DOG’S NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS By: GDB puppy raiser Jill Savino Nieglos (18 guide dog pups) 'Twas the night before Christmas, the kennels were still, with most dogs asleep, having eaten their fill. The labs were sprawled out, quite snug in their beds, While visions of milk bones danced in their heads. The Goldens and Labs were curled up on the floor, some twitched in their sleep and some even did snore. The dog food was stacked in the feed room with care, in hopes that a trainer soon would be there. Off by the window, a kennel cat lay, surveying the lawn at the end of his day. Something was different, that little cat knew - something would happen, it had to be true. That day as the workers had left to go home, they'd wished "Merry Christmas" before starting to roam. The dogs had all noticed that during their walks, the trainers seemed happier and eager to talk. In the mall where they worked amid people and stores, there were decorations, music, distractions galore! Most dogs pranced along without worry or fear, some balked at the man with those fake-looking deer. The cat was near sleeping when he first heard the sound, a whoosh through the air and a jingle abound. The sound of a collar when an animal shook, but the sound just kept growing - he'd better go look. From the ceiling there came a kind of a thunk, As the kennel cat climbed up on a pile of junk. But the dogs were still quiet, all sleeping so sound, as this man dressed in red made his way to the ground. He patted the cat as he climbed past his spot, then made his way right to the old coffee pot. A Labrador sat up, not fully awake, then a golden soon followed with a mighty loud shake. That did it...the dogs filled the kennel with noise, but in spite of the din, the old man kept his poise. He filled the pot full and it started to brew, then he pulled up a chair and took in the view. Dogs all around him, so carefully bred, he knew well their jobs, and the people they led. Some had stopped barking and looked at him now, while others continued their deafening howl. Laying a finger in front of his lips, the jolly old man soon silenced their yips. He smiled, laughed, and took a short pause. "You may not know me, but I'm Santa Claus," He filled up his mug with hot coffee and cream, and said, "Meeting you all has been one of my dreams." The cat jumped down to explore Santa's pack. He said, "Sorry, kitty, I've emptied my sack." Santa smiled, drank, looked in their eyes – deep brown and gold, all wide with surprise. Some of these dogs he'd seen just last year, All in their homes - cute, full of good cheer. He'd seen the effect of a pup on a tree, but now they were here, just waiting to be. "I didn't bring presents or bones to chew. But I'll tell you what's better – and what you're to do. You'll all work hard and the trainers will share, both praise and correction, gentle and fair. You'll go lots of places and face scary things, you'll ride buses, planes, and hear sirens ring. Cars will drive at you, you'll know what to do, Moving from danger, not moving into. Then, when you think your trainer's the best, the kindest, and funniest, just toss all the rest; That trainer will leave you, and give you away, handing your leash over despite your dismay. The one who will feed you might see just a tad, Or maybe it's just that their focus is bad. So you little buggers will work as their eyes To be a great team and discover the prize. The prize isn't kibble, or even new toys, It's leading your partner, you good girls and boys. Santa sipped coffee, looked over the brood, But what he said next seemed just a bit rude. “Some may not make it and won't become guides. But time here's not wasted, no casting aside. Some will be drug dogs and some will find bombs, some will be pets with new dads and moms. When the last drop of coffee had gone from his cup Santa turned, and smiled at each wide-eyed pup. "The best gift of all is to give something back. And that's why there's nothing for you in my pack. Draining his mug, he went to each pen, Petting and scratching each dog yet again. "The following years, even more after that, you'll all give great gifts wherever you're at. You might lick a hand on a really bad day, or notice a car and step out of its way. You might catch a crook or discover some loot, bring joy to a old man in a funny red suit. Your master will love you and treat you with care, knowing your training will always be there." After the last had been petted and soothed, He rinsed out the mug and made ready to move. To the ladder he climbed for the door high above, with a smile and a wave as he slipped on his glove. All the dog's ears were pricked as he flew out of sight, Saying, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" *** Amazon Smile Correction By Greg Lindberg Thanks to one of our observant readers, I must correct a piece of information that was published in the September-October 2018 White Cane Bulletin. In the last issue, I wrote a short article about Amazon Smile, a special website operated by Amazon.com that donates a portion of money from purchases of any Amazon items to organizations. FCB is one of these organizations on the site that users can select from a list to receive a percentage of their purchases. The article said that 5% of purchases would go to the chosen organization like FCB. It is actually 0.5% of a purchase that would go toward the organization. You can visit http://smile.amazon.com for the Amazon Smile site. Be sure to select FCB from the list of organizations before you make your purchase. *** FCB OFFICERS, 2018 – 2020 President, Sheila Young 2304 Amherst Ave., Orlando, FL 32804 sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200 1st Vice-President, Mikey Wiseman 591 E. 15th St., Hialeah, FL 33010 wisemanmikey@gmail.com (305) 331-4870 2nd Vice President, Cassandra Jessie 408 White St., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 cassandrajessie@gmail.com (850) 980-0177 Treasurer, Mark Lear 708 Kristina Court, Port Orange, FL 32127 learm52@icloud.com (386) 788-0463 Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin 1531 Dempsey Mayo Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 salbenjamin@comcast.net (850) 877-1512 Recording Secretary, Mary Tyson 291 Eddie Ave., Holly Hill, FL 32117 mtyson541@bellsouth.net (386) 212-9496 Immediate Past President, James Kracht 9901 SW 138th Street, Miami, FL 33176 jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 or (407) 378-3477 Editor of White Cane Bulletin, Greg Lindberg 3145 Meadow View Ln., Palm Harbor, FL  34683 glindberg@gmail.com (727) 543-9807 FCB Administrative Assistant, Kati Lear (800) 267-4448 (386) 763-3836     floridacouncil@comcast.net *** 2018-2020 FCB CHAPTER & 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 Council of the Blind: James Kracht jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 Clay Council of the Blind: Mark Lear learm52@icloud.com (386) 788-0463 Greater Miami Council of the Blind: Sheila Young sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200 Greater Orlando Council of the Blind: Mark Lear learm52@icloud.com (386) 788-0463 Halifax Council of the Blind: Sheila Young sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200 Jacksonville Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jessie cassandrajessie@gmail.com (850) 980-0177 Manatee County Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net (850) 877-1512 Miami Beach Council of the Blind: Sheila Young sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200 Miami Metro Council of the Blind: James Kracht jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman wisemanmikey@gmail.com (305) 331-4870 Palm Beach Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net (850) 877-1512 Pinellas Council of the Blind: Sheila Young sheilayoung125@att.net (407) 425-9200 Sarasota Council of the Blind: Mary Tyson mtyson541@bellsouth.net (386) 212-9496 South Sarasota County Council of the Blind: Mikey Wiseman wisemanmikey@gmail.com (305) 331-4870 Southwest Florida Council of the Blind: Mary Tyson mtyson541@bellsouth.net (386) 212-9496 Tallahassee Council of the Blind: Cassandra Jessie cassandrajessie@gmail.com (850) 980-0177 Tampa Council of the Blind: Sally Benjamin salbenjamin@comcast.net (850) 877-1512 Braille Revival League of Florida: Mikey Wiseman wisemanmikey@gmail.com (305) 331-4870 Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind: Mark Lear learm52@icloud.com (386) 788-0463 Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision: Cassandra Jessie cassandrajessie@gmail.com (850) 980-0177 Guide Dog Users of Florida: Mary Tyson mtyson541@bellsouth.net (386) 212-9496 Randolph Shepherd Vendors of Florida: James Kracht jkk48@bellsouth.net (305) 251-6983 *** 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 1