Last weekend I had the honor to speak at the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado convention in Greeley, Colorado. Of course, my Seeing Eye dog accompanied me every step of the way wagging her tail.

On Thursday, October 27, we attended “NFB Preserving Our History, Building Our Future”, by Peggy Chong, the Blind History Lady, and Dan Burke, Public Relations Specialist. They spoke on how for more than one hundred years blind men and women have organized to create a better life for themselves and their fellow blind. They discussed what has changed and what has stayed the same. We heard from their own voices accomplishments of the past, activities of today, and their hopes for tomorrow.

Peggy spoke of how society has always had low expectations, high unemployment rates, transportation problems, and the struggle for independence! However, through the decades, perseverance and determination have assisted us to become who we are today. We have always been in the minority, struggled for our rights, and will probably always have to educate others that we can do anything and nothing is impossible. It is our job and duty to teach each generation that we are capable, reliable, responsible, respectable, and able!

The following afternoon, I gave my presentation on Blind Economy. As my pup slept beside me, I spoke for ninety minutes on technology, low expectations, and the 70% rate of unemployment in the blind community. We chatted about the problems; however, we also came up with solutions. All these concepts will be presented in my soon-to-be-published book Blind Economy.

The other significant moments I had at the convention were with Ever Lee Hairston who has served on the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors since 2010. Though Ever Lee was allergic to dogs, we just kept running into one another! On Friday night, we ate dinner together, on Saturday, we had lunch together, and to top everything off, on Saturday afternoon before her keynote, we spent two hours in her suite together. She told me a little about her life, and I shared a little bit about mine. I watched as she practiced a beautiful poem accompanied by “Air Beneath my Wings” instrumental version on her phone.

Ever Lee’s keynote presentation was heart-moving, beautiful, and professionally presented. She hit the highlights of growing up and attending schools in the segregated South, attending the Civil Rights Movement March on Washington in 1963, teaching high school business courses in New Jersey, and attending New Jersey’s Rutgers University, where she took graduate courses in counseling. In 1983, she landed a Counselor Trainee position with the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. In July 2006 she moved to Los Angeles, California where she continues to devote tireless hours to mentoring and advocating for the blind.

I just finished one of her four books, Blind Ambition, One Woman’s Journey to Greatness Despite Her Blindness. I recommend everyone, blind or sighted, read her book for it’s a great insight into the blind.

That evening, while trying to organize my suitcase for the trip home, someone I know kept on pawing at my clothes. Wondering what she was up to, I let her continue. When I next looked, she had made a bed out of my clean and worn clothes and was happy as a lark lying there with her head down. The suitcase wasn’t two-feet long; however, big enough for this fifty-pound pooch to be content and sleep in her little nest for the entire night. I had to wash all my clothes the next day; however, what’s a girl to do since she wouldn’t budge!

Though I was a little apprehensive about attending the Colorado state NFB convention, I had a blast. I saw folks I haven’t seen in years, shared meals and conversations, relayed common experiences, and had an incredible time. I challenge you to do the uncomfortable, to expand, explore, and relax into the moment. I challenge you to live a dog’s life and do what is yours to do for in this way, you will change the way you see, and change the way you live.

P.S. My puppy’s favorite part was getting two new dog toys! Treats are always welcome!