TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editor's Line

President's Message

Education and Welfare Report

Public Relations Report

Membership Report

Scholarships Available

From The Convention Coordinator

ACB Board Report

The MCB Express

Remembering Alvera Albers

No More Needles?

Treating Type II Diabetes

Iran Has Braille Newspaper

Consumer Tips

MSB Wrestlers Win Tournament

How to be a Successful Blind Bowler

Over There

Affiliate Affairs

From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer

I Believe

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Back to the Chronicle Archives

Editor's Line

It's hard for me to believe that I have been doing this job for four years now, but sixteen issues of the Chronicle on my shelf tell me that that is the case. Actually, it's not been a job, but rather, a labor of love; always love but, yes, sometimes labor. Really, I've enjoyed almost all of it. We had another glitch in the system involving the December issue, which we are taking steps to correct. We thought that the masters had been every-mailed to National Braille Press and the large print producer, but, for some reason, they didn't get there. So, we were waiting for our finished copies while they were wondering why we hadn't sent the masters for them to produce. I guess even every-mail isn't perfect. From now on, we will get confirmation that the master copies have been received so that it won't happen again.

I hope you have all survived the winter and are looking forward to spring weather and baseball. In this issue: articles on diabetes, consumer tips, the regular features and more. Enjoy.

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PRESIDENT'S Message

By Chip Hailey

If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other creature. Bruce Barton

Dear MCB members and friends,

We left off the last time by my telling you how I had lost the sight in my right eye (you can read the December issue of the Chronicle for the story). I would like to continue now by telling you how I had lost the sight in my left eye.

I am doing this for a couple of reasons. First, I hope that by my telling you of my own personal experience it will encourage others of you to write and tell us how you lost your sight as well. I am convinced that there are a lot of people who would love to hear your story. So why not send your story to John and ask him to put it in the Chronicle for all to read. The second reason why I am telling you my story is because I honestly believe that there are many others who could benefit from my experience in adjusting to their blindness. You know as well as I do that adjusting to blindness can be a very difficult experience for someone who is newly blinded. So ladies and gentlemen I ask that you sit back and enjoy my telling you how I lost the sight in my left eye, and may it be a help to someone in adjusting to their blindness.

It happened in 1969, when I was 16 years old and a junior in high school. I lost the sight in my left eye while playing football. My family and I had gone to a hootenanny to practice square dancing. We had all loved to square dance. We used to go every Friday and Saturday night. On this particular day however, I had stayed outside to play football with some of the other guys. I was the wide receiver. I pretended to be Otis Taylor of the Kansas City Chiefs. As I went out for a pass, I looked over my left shoulder for the ball but then when I turned back around I ran smack dab into a telephone pole that had a steel bar running up along the side of it. I split my forehead wide open. It had knocked me completely unconscious. As I lay there in a pool of my own blood, I thought I had died. I remember, as I lay there sprawled out on the ground, feeling that something terrible had just happened to me. A darkness had obscured my vision. It was as dark as death itself. All my senses told me something was wrong, terribly wrong. My body appeared to be totally paralyzed. I was unable to move. I could also feel myself begin to panic. Fear was beginning to grip my mind. The fear had a presence about it. It was something foul and wicked. Then suddenly, my body began to shake violently. My legs seemed as though they could no longer support me. My stomach muscles began to tighten. My heart began to beat erratically. My breathing became labored. Fear engulfed me, immobilizing me. A stone of dread pressed upon my heart, and for one terrifying moment, I could not breathe. The ground beneath me seemed to sway. My head reeled. After another brief moment, I felt the air grow still. I had to force myself to open my eyes. I saw nothing but the black darkness. It was an impenetrable abyss. My hands began to shake uncontrollably. I thought what could I do to ease the trembling. Unexpectedly, I caught a glimmer of light out of the corner of my eye. I found myself frozen in place, like an ice statue. Again, my mind screamed, "no, this can not be happening to me again." Stumbling to stand, I became more and more desperate to want to see. My heart thundered. The horror deepened, seizing my mind. My body was wracked with extreme pain. But with agonizing effort I was able to stand but just for a brief moment. Every second was a strain. Again, the terror struck me like a blow. I opened my mouth to scream, "Oh' God, where are you." But nothing came out. "Oh, God," I groaned into the darkness, "will I ever see again?" I then collapsed and fell again to the ground. The next thing I heard was my mama crying out to God as she knelt there beside me, "O God, please do not let my boy die." Hearing her prayer gave me a glimmer of hope. I thought perhaps I might be given a chance to see again. I was then immediately rushed to the hospital where it took 18 stitches to sew me back up. The blow to my head caused a detached retina to my only remaining good eye. After I had been diagnosed as having a detached retina, I had surgery done on the eye to try to repair the damage. Silicone was used to hold the retina in place. But in 1978, as I was attending college at Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the retina became detached for the final time. It had been snowing and I had stepped outside without a coat on, and as a result, I had caught pneumonia. The retina had become detached as a result of my constant cough. The retina NOW simply had too many tears, holes, and wrinkles to ever be repaired. I had to leave school and return home. I thought to myself how in the world am I going to be able to go through the rest of my life being blind. I had only been married just a few short years and had a 2-year-old son. I thought how terrible it would be for me because I will never be able to see their faces again. All of my hopes and dreams had now been completely shattered.

The months and years following were not very productive ones for me. I stayed home most of the time and refused to go out much. I was ashamed and embarrassed by my blindness. I absolutely hated being blind. I cared more about what people thought of me than what God thought of me. Even after I had completed my blind rehabilitation training a year later, I refused to accept my blindness. I thought to myself I had not asked to be blind and so I would refuse to be blind. I just could not see myself going through the rest of my life being blind. So I put away my long, white cane, my Braille writer, and completely forgot all the techniques and skills that I had learned while at the blind rehabilitation center.

It was at this time that I had decided to go into the ministry. It was really not so much that I had wanted to go into the ministry as much as it was that I now had a quest for healing. It was also at this time that I had begun to develop a prayer life. I had wanted to draw close to God so that I could be healed, but being able to do so without relinquishing all the rights to my life to Him. In addition, I had begun to develop a love for God's word. I was able to acquire several Bible translations on cassette tape during those first few years after I had lost my sight. I studied His word day and night.

Then in 1982, I became a licensed minister, and a year later I was ordained. But in spite of my quest for healing, and my prayer life, and my love for God's word, my heart was still never truly right with God. It was still full of pride and self-centeredness. Plus, I was not ready to lay down my life for the Gospel, but rather I would use it to promote my own self-interests. I was still not ready to accept my blindness. I would pretend as though I was not blind.

Then in 1985, God got a hold of this poor old blind boy's heart and my attitude was changed. God had taken something bad and turned it into something good. I was now no longer ashamed or embarrassed of my blindness. O what joy had filled my heart. God had made my heart glad and had caused my soul to rejoice. It was just as the scripture says, "God looks on the heart, but man looks on the outward appearance." I had also felt as though a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I felt free and also felt as though I would now be able to serve God with all of my heart.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I have accepted my blindness and no longer feel ashamed or embarrassed by it. I feel as though I can now be a true servant to others since I no longer think just about my own selfish welfare. Furthermore, since I have repented of my pride and self-centeredness, and have surrendered my heart and life to god, He has opened some marvelous doors for me and has blessed me in ways totally unimaginable. Time and space will not permit me to go into detail about that here so I will have to save that for another time.

But I thank God every day because He was finally able to get a hold of this poor old blind boy's heart.

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Education and Welfare Committee Report by Dennis Miller

By the time you read this, MCB will have had its annual Legislative Day at the state Capitol in Jefferson City.

The last three months have been active ones. In November, I attended a meeting with Secretary of State Matt Blunt where we discussed the implementation of the Help America Vote Act in Missouri. One of the requirements in this bill, passed last year by Congress, is that local polling places must provide accessible voting machines. I feel the meeting with Secretary of State Blunt went very well and feel the meeting was very positive. Because of this meeting and prior discussions with the Secretary of State's office, we were invited to serve on the Blunt Commission which was set up to write the state plan implementing the Help America Vote Act. As part of that, I was invited to serve on the technology subcommittee, which will be dealing with the issue of accessible voting machines. I hope to have much more information about this in the June Chronicle as the Blunt Commission and its subsequent subcommittees are expected to meet at least once a month between now and sometime in June.

As those of you who attended the convention will recall, we passed a resolution asking the governor and the state legislature to continue to support the funding for blindness skills specialist at its current level. I am happy to report that Governor Holden did include this in his proposed budget and hopefully the state legislature will see fit to follow his recommendation.

This has been an interesting year so far as legislation is concerned. Our main concern at this point is to make sure that funding isn't cut to services we need. If the legislature follows the governor's recommended budget, then we should come out pretty well. However, it is too early at this writing to know what direction they are planning to go in.

I want to take a moment to thank Beverly Armstrong for the help and advice she has given me so far. Beverly's expertise has made my job much easier.

Don't forget about the legislative updates on Tell Me. To access this service dial: 1-800-555-8355 and once connected dial: 1-037-100. The announcements are updated frequently.

Editor's note: I would like to ask you at this time for your thoughts and prayers for Dennis's mother, Apice, who is undergoing treatment for very serious health pooblems. Dennis, we are thinking of you at this difficult time for you and your family.

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In the last Chronicle, we mentioned a contest and it was brought before the Board whether to continue it. They said to go ahead with it. In the last issue we asked people to send us some names for the most lovable couple, the sweetest man, the sweetest woman, the grumpiest man and the grumpiest woman. The most names we receive in each category will be the ones you want to run. It will be narrowed down to two names in each category. Some people thought that you could only put a penny in for a vote. You can put any amount of money in you want to. Each penny counts as one vote. If you put a quarter in, it will give you 25 votes. Please send suggestions of names to Leroy Welch, Route 2, Box 284, Butler MO 64730.

In the December Chronicle, I asked you to notify me of how many calendars your club wanted for 2004. By the time you read this, the order will already have been sent in. You will receive what you ordered last year if we did not receive a letter from your club. After the calendar order goes in, I cannot change it. We received an offer of measuring teaspoons. If you want some, tell your Board rep and they can pick them up at the April Board meeting. If anyone has any suggestions or comments, please feel free to call me at (660) 679-5429.

Leroy Welch, SR Chairman

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Membership Report

Thank you President Hailey for having confidence in me to serve a second year as the MCB Membership Committee Chairman. Shirley Brokaw and another member to be named at a later date will serve on the committee. Congratulations to the affiliates that have recruited new members, I commend you for your hard work.

Recently I attended the MCB January Board Meeting in St. Joseph where the topic of members at large was on the agenda. Our Bylaws specify how members at large are to be accepted. When talking with members who have served on the MCB Board, and other members we were unable to come to a clear-cut decision on pros and cons for changing the methods for accepting members at large. So in October there will be an amendment dealing with membership at large. Thank you St. Joseph for your warm hospitality.

Referrals from Rehabilitation Services for the Blind have been mailed to the closest affiliate according to the zip code, so please try to contact the individuals and let them know what MCB is all about. Most of all please encourage them to attend one of your affiliate meetings. I look forward to seeing you in Kansas City in October for the annual MCB convention. Membership Chairman Melvin Smith

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Scholarships Available

Would you like to attend a college or trade school but you can't afford the tuition? The M.C.B. offers scholarships each year for blind or visually impaired people. The applications are available at most college or University offices or you can call the M.C.B. office, 1 800 342-5632 or every-mail mobl@mindspringddcom. Receiving a scholarship may surprise you. I stress that if you are sending in an application, please make double sure that all necessary documentation is included. What do you have to lose by applying?

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Convention Coordinator's Report By Jerry Annunzio

The Kansas City MCB Convention 2003 The Allied Workers for the Blind led by President Gregg Hollins is ready to host our 2003 MCB convention. The Adams Mark Hotel contract is complete and ready to handle your reservations by calling toll free 1-800-444-ADAM (2326). The room rate is $59 per night; single, double, triple, Quad. The Adams Mark is on the North side of Interstate Highway 70 and just across the highway from the Royals and Chiefs stadiums. The Hotel address is 9103 East 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133. The hotel has agreed to have two vans available on a first come first serve basis to pick up people at the Kansas City railroad Union Station and the bus station. Both of these stations are in well-lighted and reasonably safe areas with inside waiting rooms and rest room facilities.

Now I do not want to hear any snickering or laughter at this next statement, but if the Royals are in the World Series there is a chance they will be playing the weekend of our convention. The more likely consideration is the Chiefs will be playing on Sunday. We just don't know yet if it will be a home or an away game. Therefore it is mandatory that everyone gets their reservations in early. She or He who hesitates is lost.

We do know for sure that you will be in the middle of Kansas City's great jazz and outstanding barbecue season. The hotel van will take you to any restaurant or entertainment within fifteen miles of the hotel. That fifteen mile radius covers more fun spots then you will have time to see and does include; The Plaza, the major museums, The Jazz Hall of Fame, The baseball museum, three gambling boats, The Hereford (steak) House, Arthur Bryan's and Gate's Barbecue and many more great night spots.

All the convention committees are in place. Progressive Council of the Blind members are assisting with the committee work as well as chairing some of them. Gregg says he has some new ideas for possible tours and entertainment. This could be the most fun and exciting convention that we have ever had. Do not miss this one. Make your reservations early, mark your calendars, set your plans and get ready for a great convention from October 9 through October 12.

Future Conventions: I have been talking with people throughout the state about hosting future MCB conventions in 2004, 2005 and 2006. It is not too early to begin thinking how a state convention could draw attention to your group. If you think that your affiliate is too small to host an MCB convention you can team up with another regular or special interest affiliate. It might be just the stimulus your people need to rejuvenate interest, get new people involved and revitalize your current membership. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who dare to believe in their dreams." It is not just a dream to think you could host an MCB Convention. Your convention coordinator is ready to help. Call the MCB office at 800-342-5632 and Patti will relay the information or call Jerry Annunzio directly at 816-741-2348. As they say on the radio. "Do it today."

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ACB Board Report By Jerry Annunzio

Tragedy seems to be the word for this report. On January sixteenth the ACB Board was convened via teleconference by first vice president Steve Speicher. We received at the outset the bad news that President Chris Gray would not be attending this meeting. Steve told us that Chris had fallen between two underground streetcars and broken his leg. I later contacted Chris by e-mail and learned that he is recovering nicely.

The next bit of bad news came in the form of numbers. It seems that everyone is struggling with budgets these days and ACB is no exception. Our budget committee, officers and staff had been working for months on the 2003 budget to have it ready to present to the board. But just before our teleconference on this topic was to begin they learned that our projected income would be one hundred thousand dollars short of previous projections and our expenses were going to be nine thousand dollars more than we thought. After nearly three hours on the conference call some progress was made. We of course started cutting with the board expense reimbursements and than cut that area again. We plan to meet again early in February to cut expenses to the bone. As many of you may know it is not a pleasant task to cut people and programs that you know are doing things that need to be done, but when the money is not there we must be realistic.

Let's end on a happy note. It is not too early to make your plans and reservations for the ACB convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this coming July. Pittsburgh is a bright new city compared to the old steel town of the past. It has a new airport terminal, many new buildings downtown and a brand new convention center. I will go there for the February midyear meeting to check it out for you and report again in the June Chronicle. Jerry Annunzio MCB Convention Coordinator

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The MCB Express, All Aboard for Pittsburgh

This letter was sent out to all of the Affiliate Presidents but I thought I would include it here in case some of you didn't get a chance to hear it at your meetings. It regards transportation to the ACB Convention in Pittsburgh. By the way, the Board has again set aside money to be divided among members who wish to go to the national convention. Contact the office for an application. Here is the letter from James Hollins:

Dear all MCB Members,

We would cordially like to invite you to join in on the MCB Express to Pittsburgh. The MCB Express is scheduled to begin pick up in Kansas City and will be making stops in the St. Louis area. Reservations for the MCB Express are open to all MCB members, families and friends. The MCB Express will leave St. Louis and will be making only one stop to change drivers before making its way to Pittsburgh.

The MCB Express is a comfortable charter liner equipped with a restroom, VCR and monitors that for your pleasure will feature descriptive videos. No need to worry about your luggage getting lost or arriving later than you. Your MCB Express is a fully equipped coach with spacious and secure luggage compartments.

So don't stress yourself with the burden of searching for costly airfare, train fare or commercial buses, or standing in line for hours to pass security screeners. You will also save yourself the burden of getting from the airport to the hotel, because the MCB Express will take you directly to the hotel's front entrance.

So why travel alone or with strangers or worry with the stress of driving when you can join your MCB family and display our MCB unity in an exciting and fun-filled trip to Pittsburgh where you can leave the driving to us.

Make your reservations soon as seats are filling fast. For reservations, departure times, prices, or if you have any questions, contact:

James Hollins (816) 924-1938 every-mail:

jhollinsbleba@hotmailddcom

or Renee Deggs: (816) 924-5507, every-mail

rdeggs@hotmailddcom

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AWB REMEMBERS ALVERA Albers >

Allied Workers and I, personally, apologize for not getting this in the September issue. Following an extended stay in the hospital, Alvera Albers passed on to another place. That was on Saturday, April 13, 2002.

To those who loved her, it feels like yesterday. Even those of us who didn't know her well-- newer members, including myself-- still feel the loss. We hear the older members speak of her kind heart, her many years of giving to anyone and everyone. She was a fixture of our community. When I hear their solemn words of praise, and their laughter over memories of her in the 1980's, I feel a warm sense of loss, a sharp regret that I didn't have a chance to work with her and learn from her experience.

Alvera and Ray joined AWB in about '63. They were absent for years while their kids were underfoot. I hear that they were such wonderful parents that they always brought the little people with them. Of course, the little people-- wishing to escape their parents-- ran around and disrupted the meetings. They rejoined in '79. "From 1981 through 1995, they shared the position of Treasurer between them," says Shirley Brokaw. This meant that they alternated, either one holding the position for up to four years before the spouse took it back. Our constitution stipulates a two-year term and a limit of two terms. Apparently, no one felt they could fill their shoes. Alvera helped wherever she was needed: doing jobs other people didn't want; driving members to meetings, or wherever they needed to go. "Even when someone else was Treasurer," says Shirley, "she would drive them to the bank to make sure the accounts were all right. She would do anything for anyone."

Ray, you have the prayers and the friendship of all of us. She lives on in our memory, through the words and the laughter, those recollections of her many friends. She may be gone from this province of life, but we will all continue to remember her presence and aspire to her example.

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No More Needles New drugs in development may help diabetics get relief without the pain of insulin injections NEWSWEEK WEB EXCLUSIVE Oct. 16

From The Editor: Since being recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes, I have been on the lookout for articles on this subject. This is the first of two encouraging articles offering future hope for all of us with this condition. The first article looks at ways to find alternate delivery systems for insulin and the second describes research being done here in St. Louis on Type I diabetes. Still another article that I came across recently indicated that there are some devices being developed that will allow diabetics to test blood sugar without taking blood from fingers and putting it on a strip. One of them will work kind of like an ear thermometer. I'm ready for that one. Unfortunately, I have misplaced that article but I will continue to look for more information on that ongoing research.

Diabetics have long dreamed that researchers would one day find a cure to rid them of their debilitating illness. Though a cure has yet to be found, researchers may soon be able to give diabetics some relief in the meantime.

New Pills and a patch are being developed that could eventually replace the multiple insulin injections most diabetics must endure daily to control their disease. The number of patients who could benefit is enormous. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 3.7 million diabetics must take one to five insulin shots daily to keep their blood sugar under control.

Researchers have tried for years to develop an effective version of insulin pills, without much luck. In the past, insulin from pills was often unable to reach the surface area of the gut where most of the absorption takes place. In the event that the pill did reach the targeted area, it was often degraded before being able to enter the bloodstream and deliver its medicinal effects. But several researchers are now discussing technological advances that have been made in delivering insulin via alternative routes like pills, and even a skin patch.

Two different drug companies have pills that are still in the early stages of development-- it could be two years or more before they hit the market-- that already show signs of achieving some success. The first pill facilitates absorption into the liver and then the entire bloodstream. Maximum insulin concentration levels can be seen within 15 to 25 minutes-- quite similar to the body's natural production and release of insulin that's seen in the pancreas.

The second pill uses a type of technology that prevents it from being broken down before it reaches the bloodstream, fixing the old problem of pills that have failed in the past. Manufacturers found the greatest absorption when this pill was taken 15 minutes before the meal.

There is also renewed interest in using a skin patch to deliver insulin. This treatment involves a two-step process. First, patients apply an electronic adhesive patch powered by a small battery directly onto their skin. In less than a second, the cells on the skin surface are painlessly vaporized, creating important microscopic openings through which the medication can be delivered. Next, a small patch that contains a reservoir of insulin is applied to the skin as one would apply a Band-Aid. The manufacturer reports that during a 12-8our period of wearing the patch, insulin is steadily absorbed into the body. The patch is still in development and is not likely to be available for at least another year, but researchers are optimistic about its possibilities.

If one treatment doesn't work, researchers say diabetics could try both methods. The patch would deliver the basic level of insulin a person will need throughout the day and night, while the pill could provide the extra dose that's needed around mealtimes. Though it's not yet clear which of the various treatments, or combinations of treatments, will work best, one thing is clear: either method would be a welcome change for the millions of diabetic Americans still suffering through daily needle injections.

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TREATING TYPE 1 DIABETES: Tests at Washington University show promise for beating disease BY TINA HESMAN Of the Post-Dispatch

Scientists at Washington University have achieved some success with a treatment for Type 1 diabetes. The experimental treatment, which involves replacing insulin-producing cells, may help some diabetics control their disease without daily insulin injections.

On Monday, the university and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International dedicated the $2.9 million JDRF-D'anielle De Night Center for Islet Transplantation for that research.

People with Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, don't make insulin, which helps the body use sugar and other carbohydrates. In those people, the immune system attacks and kills insulin-making cells, called beta cells, in the pancreas. Beta cells and other hormone-secreting cells called alpha cells cluster together in the pancreas in clumps called islets.

Lisa A. Owens, 36, of Tulsa, Okla., is one of six people who have received islet transplants at the new center since February.

The center is named for Danielle De Night, a sixth-grader from Kansas City, Kan., who was diagnosed with diabetes four years ago. Danielle's grandparents, Bruce and Janet Bergman, donated money for the center.

Owens had struggled for years to keep her blood sugar levels on even keel, but multiple insulin injections, an insulin pump, strict diets and glucose-lowering drugs had all failed. Wild rises and dips in her blood sugar levels left Owens exhausted, she said.

Owens got her first injection of islet cells at Washington University on Sept. 11. The next day, she felt better, she said. Already the transplanted cells in her liver were making enough insulin to balance her blood sugar. On Nov. 15, Owens got a second islet transplant.

Currently, doctors need to transplant cells from at least two donated pancreases to improve a patient's dependence on insulin. Her new insulin-making cells recently fueled a five-hour shopping trip, she told the audience at a luncheon for the dedication of the new center. "I would have shopped more, but I had no more money," Owens joked. Such a spree would have been unthinkable before the transplant, Owens said.

Now, she is free of the insulin injections, but still checks her blood sugar regularly to make sure the cells are working well.

Type 1 diabetes differs from Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called adult-onset diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes can't balance their blood sugar because their cells have become resistant to insulin.

Scientists in Canada developed the first successful method to transplant islet cells from deceased donors into people with Type 1 diabetes. The islet cells are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected through a catheter into a large vein that feeds the liver. The cells lodge in the liver and begin producing insulin. The procedure is usually done in a radiology clinic and takes one to two hours. Since the first islet transplant in 1999, 160 people worldwide have gotten donated pancreas cells. About 80 percent of them no longer require insulin injections.

The new center is one of nine in the world trying to replicate the success of the Canadian method. Doctors here have done complete transplants for five patients. A sixth person has received one infusion of islet cells. Three of the five don't need insulin and the other two need much lower doses of insulin to control their blood sugar levels, said Dr. Kenneth S. Polonsky, director of the center.

Researchers at the center are also trying to improve islet transplants, Polonsky said. Donor pancreases are scarce, said Peter Van Etten, president and chief executive of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Only about 2,000 diabetics each year could get the dual transplants with the current supply of donor organs, he said.

About 1 million people suffer from Type 1 diabetes, with 35,000 new cases each year.

Researchers at the Danielle De Night Center are experimenting with a method that might require only one donor pancreas. Scientists led by Dr. Daniel Brennan give patients a transplant and two oral drugs that help bolster insulin's ability to lower blood sugar levels. So far, results from the study are inconclusive, researchers say.

Stem cells may eventually supply enough cells to treat many diabetics, Van Etten said. But that research is still in its infancy, he said.

Another limitation of the islet transplantation is that patients must take immune-suppressing drugs so that the body won't reject or attack the new cells, Van Etten said. Such life-long drug treatment is inappropriate for children, and poses grave risks for many adults as well, he said. "For most people with diabetes, the risk of immuno-suppressive drugs is far greater than the risk of continuing on insulin," Van Etten said. His group is supporting work that could reduce the need for such drugs. Diabetic mice and monkeys have already benefited from the research, but no human has gotten the transplants without anti-rejection drugs, he said. Scientists at the De Night center are working to understand how the drugs affect diabetics, and to improve tolerance for transplanted cells. No one knows how long islet transplants will last, Polonsky said. The body may eventually reject the cells in some patients or attack the beta cells, causing a relapse of the disease, he said.

The center will be funded for three years to conduct two small transplant studies. Long waiting lists, shortages of donor organs, and specific criteria for selecting recipients mean that both studies are full now, the center's organizers say. Careful experiments now to improve the success of islet transplantations will benefit more people, Polonsky said. "We would rather do a smaller number of people and do it properly," he said.

People interested in participating in possible studies may call Volunteer for Health at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at 314-362-1000.

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Iran Has Newspaper for the Blind By ALI AKBAR DAREINI Associated Press Writer November 11, 2002,

From The Editor: I thought this was an interesting article as it gives us some indication of the struggles that blind people have in other countries and the determination of these folks to get information to blind people.

TEHRAN, Iran-- Homa Badr takes notes for her news stories in Braille, forming the words with a piercing tool and special perforated frame. Her mission: to promote knowledge among Iran's blind and highlight the problems and dangers they face in daily life.

Her newspaper, Iran-every-Sepid, or White Iran, is believed to be the only Braille daily in the Middle East, operating in a region-- and in a country-- where the public has little understanding of the difficulties of the sightless.

"People in Iran have yet to recognize the blind's white cane and learn how to treat them," said Badr, blind since birth. "Some people do help us but still there is no law in Iran to protect our rights."

The problems of Iran's blind are many. Blind men and women have trouble meeting because of Islam's strict separation of the sexes. Guide dogs are expensive-- and dogs are regarded as unclean in Islam. Even navigating the streets in Tehran and other cities can be perilous because of the many potholes and bumps.

Iran-every-Sepid chief editor Soheil Moeini, blind since a childhood accident, said his paper's goal is to educate and help the sight impaired. "Our priority is to improve the general knowledge of the blind so that being blind does not prevent them from knowing and learning what the clear-sighted know. We also seek to promote the rights of the blind and familiarize others with how to respect and treat us," he said.

Iran-every-Sepid is classified as a reformist daily supporting President Mohammad Khatami's program of social and political freedoms, and Moeini is cautious in his editing to avoid a shutdown of the paper by Iran's hard-line judiciary.

"We support presidential reforms but write in a moderate language because there will be no substitution if Iran-every-Sepid is closed down," said Moeini.

Joking, he added: "Press court judge Saeed Mortazavi doesn't know Braille. This gives me hope our paper will not be closed down."

Mortazavi has been behind the closing of more than 80 reformist publications since April 2000, soon after hard-liners lost control of the parliament in elections and made greater use of institutions they still control.

Launched in 1997, Iran-every-Sepid reaches more than 4,000 readers out of an estimated 500,000 blind Iranians. The paper carries a summary of the news, and inside pages focus on social and cultural issues, especially those related to the blind.

It has five blind reporters, and most other staff also are blind. The newspaper publishes six days a week, operating with government subsidies.

Moeini complained that the paper suffers from the sanctions imposed by the United States, which maintains Iran supports terrorism-- a charge Iran rejects.

"Our printing presses are old and worn out. Last year, we tried to buy modern Braille presses from the U.S. but we fell victim to U.S. sanctions," Moeini said.

"At least, Americans could have excluded Braille presses from sanctions. It runs contrary to humanitarian purposes," he added. Badr, who holds a master's degree in history from Also-Zahra University in Tehran, says she depends on her touching skills to help describe events and places she covers. She writes on a Braille typewriter.

Among the problems of the blind that Iran-every-Sepid has focused on are those stemming from Iran's rules as an Islamic republic and from the lack of any basic law about the blind.

Badr, who is 27 and single, is particularly concerned that many blind people never marry because they have no way to meet. In Iran, blind men sometimes marry sighted women, but it rarely works the other way for blind women.

That means the women's best hope of finding husbands is in mixed gatherings of the blind sponsored by social organizations. But strict restrictions imposed by hard-line clerics ban socializing of unrelated men and women.

"In almost all educational places, blind men and women are kept separate to conform with Islamic laws. But I think that's only a shallow interpretation of Islam that harms us greatly," Badr said.

She said she doesn't understand why young blind people are kept apart since the logic of the separation is to prevent flirting and lascivious looks.

"We don't see anything. And there is no bad look among blind men and women," she said.

Moeini, who works as well at Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency, pointed out one problem for the blind in Iran is that most of those over 40 are illiterate, though young blind people have been taught to read.

He said his paper is trying to win support from authorities for a bill that would define the rights of the blind for the first time.

The Agricultural Jihad Ministry recently agreed to allow guide dogs for the blind, but Badr says it's of no use in Iran.

"A dog will not warn you of millions of potholes, bumps and puddles in every street. And a majority of the blind can't afford buying a dog," she said.

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Consumer Tips

I've gathered together three articles from different sources, all giving some good practical advice about your money and how to keep it. The first piece was posted on the MCB List by Hank Pearce. It was written by a corporate attorney for his employees. Thanks, for sharing this Hank. Next, an article from Bridges, the newsletter of the Missouri Governor's Council on Disability, on how to avoid predatory lenders. Finally, advice from AARP on ways to keep you from being the victim of a scam.

The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box use your work address. Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks-- you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc. Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know: We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen; this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this) Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285,Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742, trans Union: 1-800-680-7289, and the Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Need Money? Read This First!

Have you heard those advertisements that offer money for your "clean" car title? Or how about the ones that say "Bad Credit! No Credit! No Problem!" Have you ever thought about using these services? Maybe you've thought it's too good to be true? The truth is you can very easily end up losing your car, your personal possessions or even your home and, on top of it all, ruin your credit.

Predatory lending has become such a widespread practice there are many bills being introduced at both the state and federal level to help control this problem.

There are numerous ways a lender fraudulently lends money to an unsuspecting individual. The most common abuse occurs in home equity, home improvement, and second mortgage loans and contains one or more of the following characteristics:

High costs: unusually high costs such as points, origination and other fees.

High interest rates: While the higher interest rates charged by some lenders are intended to compensate lenders for taking a greater credit risk, too many borrowers are unnecessarily paying higher interest rates. Borrowers with perfect credit are regularly charged interest rates 3 to 6 points higher than the market rates

Financing insurance: Homeowner's insurance is typical, life insurance or other types of insurance are not, and should be a red flag.

Balloon payments: This type of payment allows for lower monthly payments, but require a lump sum of the entire balance at a future date.

High monthly payments: Initially done so that the individual can't meet the payments and the bank can foreclose.

Purchase of unneeded repairs: Financing repairs can be expensive, so only do what is necessary. These practices are usually associated with home equity, home improvement and second mortgage loans, but predatory lenders can strike on any type of loan, in any amount. They make their profit from these loans in much the same way, but some other "tricks" they use are:

Flipping: repeated refinancing of the loan by rolling the balance of the existing loan into a new loan instead of making a separate loan for the new amount.

Forgeries: Some predatory lenders forge documents leaving the homeowners with loans they know nothing about.

Home improvement scams: Predatory mortgage lenders use local home improvement companies essentially as mortgage brokers to solicit business. For many people, owning a home is the ultimate American dream; unfortunately there are lending institutions, which have no qualms about using unethical practices that can destroy this dream. Usually the targets are individuals with poor credit, the elderly and the disabled.

There are things you can do to put a stop to predatory lenders:

1. Shop around and contact at least three lending institutions to compare interest rates and loan options.

2. Understand exactly how much the entire loan will cost.

3. Make sure the loan fees are reasonable.

4. Read the entire loan document and check it for accuracy.

5. Resist the pressure to sign if you don't feel you can afford the loan.

If you feel you have been the victim of a predatory lender, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357 or visit their web site at wwwddftcddgov for more information or to file a complaint. You may also contact the Fannie Mae Foundation at 800-605-7100 for a free guide on Borrowing Basics.

AARP'S Web Exclusive. Nine Warning Signs of a Scam

It's not easy to identify a scam. After all, con artists are very knowledgeable and persuasive: They pretend to be your friend, and they prey upon emotions that can lead you to make the wrong decision. Scam artists are experts at establishing rapport with potential victims and casting themselves as someone "who's on your side." Often, this is merely a ploy to gain control of your emotions and direct you to agree to their pitch. But while it's often difficult to discern friend or foe from such dialogue, watching for several distinct traits can help you identify a potential scam before it's too late. Listen for these nine warning signs:

Claims that you've won a prize-but must pay to receive it. The scammer might explain that your payment is related to administrative fees, customs, taxes or other reasons. Legitimate sweepstakes don't ask for payment because it's illegal.

Pitches that require you to pay right away. It's likely a scam if a caller or salesperson requires you to pay right away to take advantage of an offer. They'll often arrange courier pick-ups or encourage wire transfers to make you feel they're doing you a favor by making payments convenient.

Callers or salespeople who won't provide written information to help you make a decision. Scam artists are most successful when they sabotage your ability to think through an offer, and so they often claim there's no time to send the materials.

Offers that promise sizable returns with minimal risk. The old saying remains true: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Most legitimate investments or business opportunities require risk for participants to realize a reward.

Requests for donations that don't disclose how money will be used or the specific charity that would benefit from your giving. Legitimate charities will disclose the percentage of donations that actually benefit the charity-and how much goes to administrative and overhead costs. They also should provide references to check on their authenticity.

Offers to "repair" your credit in exchange for an up-front fee. Legitimate lenders do not require up-front payments, and nobody can wipe a bad credit report clean if it contains accurate information.

Persistent pitches from the same company after you've requested they not call. Legitimate companies will remove you from call lists if you ask. If the problem persists, you can report the problem to the National Fraud Information Hotline (800-876-7060) or the Federal Trade Commission (877-FTC-HELP).

Offers to recoup money you've lost in another fraudulent scheme. No legitimate agencies perform this service, except for state offices of consumer protection or attorneys general that are pursuing legal action. (Keep in mind that state authorities will never ask for a fee.)

Requests that you keep the offer a secret. A legitimate salesperson or charitable solicitor wants as many people as possible to know about his offer so that he can close more deals. But scammers ask you to keep the offer under wraps so friends and family won't question the offer's authenticity.

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Mo. School For the Blind wins conference tournament

By Joe Harris

Of the Suburban Journals

01-29-2003

Last weekend the Missouri School For the Blind wrestling team had a chance to accomplish one of its preseason goals - to win the Schools For the Blind Conference

Tournament.

Mission accomplished as Missouri ripped through the field in Kansas City, Kan., racking up 233.5 points. Arkansas School For the Blind, the second-place team, finished with 151.5 points, more than 80 points less than Missouri.

"We've done better than we have in the past mostly because we have more kids," said Missouri School For the Blind coach Deke Edwards. "In the past we would

have to forfeit some of our weights against other teams. This year, we have all 13 weights filled and that makes a big difference."

Missouri had six individual champions in the tournament. They were Jacob Womack (95 pounds), Jim Lasley (103), Bobby Hall (119), Nick Silver (145), Adnan

Gutic (160) and Steve Patton (215).

That number could have been even higher had Missouri not lost a couple of close championship matches.

"Our kid who lost at 152, Darwin May who won the Soldan Tournament, got behind 5-0, tied it, but didn't have enough as the other kid got a reversal," Edwards

said. "The kid he wrestled was a senior from the Wisconsin school and Darwin is a junior. It was the best match of the tournament."

Edwards said it was May's first loss of the year.

Now Missouri School For the Blind (MSB) has turned its focus towards districts, less than two weeks away. Lasley will enter districts with high expectations

After qualifying for state last year, but Edwards hopes that if Lasley can repeat as a qualifier, that he will not make the trip to Columbia alone.

Edwards said several other MSB grapplers have a chance to qualify if things go right in districts and sectionals. Those wrestlers include Hall, Gutic and

May.

"Of course we haven't wrestled as tough of a schedule as some of the other schools around here," Edwards said. "We were invited to (the Hancock Tournament)

over Christmas, but we have so many kids who live outside of St. Louis who go home for the holidays that we couldn't accept. It would have been a great

experience for the kids. I hated to pass that up."

In addition to its opponents, MSB is wrestling with a bout of the flu. Edwards hopes that the team will be fully recovered by the time districts start.

"I've been to sectionals where two or three guys didn't show up because they were sick," Edwards said. "If they have to get sick, it's better that it happens

now than during districts, sectionals or state."

Edwards said winning the conference is great, but he hopes that the best is still to come.

"At the beginning of the year, I said I'd love to see them win the Schools For the Blind Conference, but I'd be even more proud if four or five or even

three qualified for state," Edwards said. "That's the season for me. Just getting to go there is an honor."

One person Edwards is especially rooting for is Gutic, an Affton resident.

"I love seeing Adnan do well," Edwards said. "He works so hard. Every night he'll ask me 'what time are you going home?' We have to end practice by 5:30

so the kids who live here can eat, but he'll stay and wrestle until 6:30 because he lives in Affton."

Edwards said his squad really has to dedicate itself for the next couple of weeks in order to do well.

"I think in districts we'll be OK, but in sectionals it gets to be more difficult," Edwards said. "We'll need a lot of hard work and some breaks."

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How To Be A Successful Blind Bowler (Humor) by Bill Lewis

Bill Lewis is the Editor of a newsletter called the Hourglass, published by the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, a special interest affiliate of ACB. In addition to editing the magazine, Bill also writes humorous articles for the Hourglass, this being an excellent example. I think any of you, who have bowled in the past, will find this piece quite funny. It is written in the form of a fictional (I hope) correspondence between the author and a Mr. Overstreet. Enjoy.

Dear Mr. Overstreet: In your letter you expressed disappointment that there are so few visually impaired individuals in your community to form a bowling league. While there are still many blind bowling leagues across the country, as the years pass, the number of new people available to keep leagues active has diminished; but with my ingenious system, you only need enough players to create one team. Then you join a regular sighted league. Your team will do okay, if you remember the rules.

The first problem, as a blind bowler, is selecting your ball off the rack, a simple operation at first glance, but when there are at least nine other balls on that rack, the task can become formidable. They are round and seem to weigh about the same. Each has three finger holes. Since most of us blind bowlers cannot see the color or identifying writing on the ball, we must find original ways to distinguish it from the others. For this purpose a piece of chewing gum placed in the thumb hole of the ball should do. But remember the flavor of the gum, so you don't confuse it with gum, possibly detected in other balls.

Now it is time to make your approach and delivery. In my game no guide rails are needed. Just stand parallel to the ball rack, with the side of your foot flat against the rack. If the ball rack is on your left, take a big step to the right. If the rack is on the right, take a big step to the left. Do not confuse this procedure, or you could trip and sprain you're friggin' neck. Now you should be standing just off center of the dot in the middle of the alley and should be facing the pins. Take three or four steps forward, depending on the size of your shoes, and on the last step slide to a stop. The bowling arm swings forward and you release the ball. At this moment the ball must agree to release you. If the thumbhole is too snug, or the chewing gum was chewed too long, you and the ball may make a strike. If that should happen, we all hope you are wearing old clothes. The ball return racks are very dirty. Nevertheless, the score counts.

Always aim the first ball at the strike zone, the New York one-three pins side, or Brooklyn one-two pins side. If after throwing the first ball at the strike zone, some pins still remain standing-- and there is a great likelihood there will be-- learn how to pick up the remaining pins for your spare. To pick up the five pin, stand near the center dot and aim straight down the alley. Throwing the bowling ball, shoes, or bottles usually does the trick. The seven pin may be picked up by standing to the right side of the alley and throwing the ball at a slight angle to the left; but execute with care, or the ball may cross too many alleys. If it does, and any pins are knocked down in those alleys, the score will count. The ten pin can be removed by standing on the left side of the alley and throwing across toward the right corner. Although a tough shot, you may be lucky and find the Ten Pin standing in the gutter, to begin with. To pick up the "five-seven and five-ten" splits, throw the ball in any direction. Chances are you will hit something. By throwing directly at the "five-ten or five-seven" pins, you will most likely miss everything anyway.

Now you are ready to play. In these days of equal rights I do not wish equal rights. I will use the Congressional method. I demand a double standard. The following rules will help any good blind bowler to win a game or so, or his money should be refunded.

1. The sighted bowlers must use an elliptical (football shaped) bowling ball.

2. All sighted bowlers must keep their eyes on their free arm, as they make their approach, to prevent that flinging arm from accidentally hitting some spectator.

3. Any sighted bowler making three strikes in a row is "Out" and must leave the game.

4. Any sighted bowler accidentally stepping across the foul line will be considered blind; and his score is transferred to the blind bowler's side of the score sheet.

5. If after playing one full game, you do not find your score considerably improved, don't get nervous. Be prepared. Ease out your billfold. Slip the scorekeeper a five-dollar bill. Hand him an eraser and, although I really do hate to suggest such underhanded things, CHEAT.

Dear Mr. Lewis:

After reading your recent letter, I decided to go out and see how well your suggestions work. The other night a blind friend and I went to our favorite bowling alley and challenged two sighted fellows to a friendly game. When I told them the rules we would play by, they just chuckled. Everything was going well until the third frame, when one of them stepped across the foul line. I told them the rule about the sighted bowler stepping across the foul line will be considered blind, and his score will go over to our side of the score sheet. Wow! He got very angry! Then three frames later, when he was trying to make his third strike in a row, I reminded him to keep his eyes on his free arm at all times during the approach and release of the ball. He did. He apparently watched it intently, as he swung around and landed it on my jaw, then poured the thumbhole of my ball full of Jiffy glue, stuck my thumb in it, and threw me and the ball down the alley, knocking down everything but the seven pin. While he waited for me to come back up the ball return chute to try for his spare, I took the opportunity to sneak out the back way, head home by the most direct route, and hunt-and-peck you this letter with my left hand to tell you that your rules are just plain lousy.

Yours truly,

John Overstreet

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Over There By Cathy Anne Murtha From The Editor: How many of us blind or low vision folks have been told by sighted people that something is "over there?" Probably every one of us at one time or another. That's why I find this whimsical essay by Cathy Ann Murtha so amusing.

As my guide dog and I stood in line at the checkout of the River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a simple question. "Where are the napkins please?" Her response was hurried, but sincere, "over there."

Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch the attention of a passer-by, "please sir, can you tell me where I might catch bus 63?" A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into to the cacophony of the early afternoon, "You can catch it. Over there."

So many things reside over there-- napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens, clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never-ending supply of important and indispensable items and locales all reside in this place, which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

I stand in perplexed silence after learning that something is over there. It is a place I have never been and have no hope of finding on my own. My guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators, escalators, helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet Pepsi display at Food Town; however, when I tell her to find "over there" her little bottom hits the floor and a small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I. We will not be going "over there" today.

Over there has caused me a bit of vexation, a lot of confusion, and, on occasion, made my heart race. I have discovered that "over there" can be a dangerous place. One day, while crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice shout out a warning of a truck bearing down on me from over there. Shadow artfully dodged the oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety of the curb. Our hearts were both racing as we took a few moments to compose ourselves. Close encounters with over there can be frightening experiences.

Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of "over there," few have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration of the mysterious place.

One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the clerk where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her voice, she informed me that the aspirin was located "over there." With a weary sigh, I decided that I would take the extra step that would unravel the mystery, which had vexed my compatriots since the beginning of time. Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at the clerk. "Where," I asked, "is over there?" I imagined the girl's shocked expression. I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks with her fellows in the store. The silence grew palpable as they mulled the possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land.

She had no choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over there!" I had won! Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless anticipation. A victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on the handle of Shadow's harness; we would soon be going over there! The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was made. "That way." She said.

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Affiliate Affairs

Where we find out what's happening in your part of MCB

Blind of Central Mo Wednesday January 29, 2003

The winter here hasn't been too bad, when spring gets here, we will be glad.

Hello to everyone from Sedalia. We had our Christmas party at Golden Coral on Thursday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m. We had a gift exchange afterwards for the ones that wanted to. The members also donated money to the Santa Claus fund, which is a fund that helps get toys for children, and also help people with their utility bills or whatever they might need. The club gave a donation up to $100.00. Later that evening, around 10:30, there was a fire at Golden Coral. It was a total loss. I have heard that they plan to have the new Golden Coral up sometime in February.

On Saturday, December 7th, some of our members rang bells for the Salvation Army. It is a good way to help them out with their different programs that they have.

Our club is in the process of finding another place to meet. The place where we have been meeting, which was Mike's Family Restaurant, isn't open in the evenings anymore. We met in a room at the Senior Center in January. Bill and Joyce Lehman brought rice crispy treats, sugar free cookies, regular and decaf coffee, and assorted kinds of soda for refreshments. We thank them very much for bringing them. We are checking out the possibility of meeting at the American Legion. If things work out right, we will start meeting there in March. They will serve us light refreshments there.

On February 8th, we will have a bowling party. We will have pizza delivered to us there. We will have assorted kinds of soda to drink. It will be a good time of food, fun, and fellowship. We will not have a meeting in February.

This is Galen with a small article that I received as an email. I thought that some of the people might find this worth reading. It refers a little to the use of the computer: however, I think that we all need a little encouragement from time to time. Here is the article just as I received it.

How To Install Love Think about this

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install it now. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART, ma'am?

Customer: Yes, I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running, ma'am?

Customer: Let's see. I have PAST HURTDDEXE, LOW ESTEEMDDEXE, GRUDGEDDEXE, and RESENTMENTDDCOM running now.

Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST HURTDDEXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW ESTEEMDDEXE with a module of its own called HIGH ESTEEMDDEXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGEDDEXE and RESENTMENTDDCOM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off, ma'am?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESSDDEXE. Do this, as many times as necessary until it's erased the programs you don't want.

Customer: Okay, now LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes, I do. Is it completely installed?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTS in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?

Tech Support: What does the message say?

Customer: It says ERROR 412 PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS. What does that mean?

Tech Support: Don't worry, ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to LOVE your own machine before it can LOVE others.

Customer: So what should I do?

Tech Support: Can you pull down the directory called SELF ACCEPTANCE?

Customer: Yes, I have it.

Tech Support: Excellent. You're getting good at this. Now, click on the following files and then copy them to the MYHEART directory: FORGIVE SELFDDDOC, REALIZE WORTHDDTXT, and acknowledge LIMITATIONSDDDOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELF CRITICDDEXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILEDDMPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACEDDEXE, and CONTENTMENTDDCOM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. Ah, one more thing.

Customer: Yes?

Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you.

Customer: I will! Thanks for your help! Pass it on. I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition. Martha Washington We hope everyone has many good months ahead and a happy spring. Until next time, keep your smile and a song in your heart. If you can't be good, be good at it. Trudy Blood Blind of Central Mo Recording Secretary

Delta Area Blind

Hello once again from the Delta Area Blind, located in Sikeston Missouri. It looks like old man winter hit full force this year, but we are all tough survivors.

We had our Christmas party on December 14 and we were very happy to have our MCB President, Chip Hailey and the first lady, Linda Hailey with us on Chip's birthday. We had a special cake made for Chip and for the son of one of our former members who was celebrating his 16th birthday. Eric Richardson grew up with the Delta Area Blind members. Tom and Mary Richardson, Eric's parents, have done a lot to help the Delta Area Blind, along with our sighted members. We are also happy to say that several of the group from Cape also came to our party. We were sorry that Poplar Bluff couldn't make it because of the bad weather. Everyone had a good time. We had lots of visiting, singing, and good food. Thanks to all who brought food and worked in the kitchen.

We have two new members, Laura Craig and Christi Ryan, both blind. Welcome aboard, girls.

Let's keep each other in our prayers. Until next time.

Marie Thompson

Joplin Service Club

We do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Christ child and we wish everyone a happy and blessed new year. We were blessed with a picture-like snow for Christmas with very little wind or drifting. It made everything so white and beautiful. Cynthia Rowen Mcnett has resigned as PR of our club so I Valva York, was elected to take her place. We were very sad to lose Ruth Hunter, who passed away January 2, 2003. She was a very happy lady and a joy to be with. We also lost Lenora Paul about the same time that Fred Dunn passed away. We are pleased to have three new members join the club. They are Howard and Mildred King and Kathy Parmalee. December 14-17 our people made the trip to Grove, OK to see the Kountry Kuzin Christmas show which we all enjoyed. We stopped to eat before returning to Joplin. Grove's Christmas parade started so we had a slight delay. We had our Christmas luncheon at the Center on December 17th. Chip and Linda Hailey were our special guests. We appreciate them visiting our club. Our club decided to donate money to the Salvation Army instead of having a gift exchange and some of our people donated canned food. On December 21st, Captain Lows came to the Center and our President; Mildred Long presented him with the money and the canned goods. December 19th St. Mary's Catholic Church fixed and served our Thursday evening meal. In November, the Telephone Pioneers furnished and served our Thursday evening dinner. We appreciate the groups that do this so much. Two of our longtime members had very special days in December. Letha Dangerfield celebrated her 92nd birthday on December 4 and December 25 Vivian Interval celebrated her 99th birthday. We offer them, along with our other members who celebrated birthday's best wishes and happiness. At our Halloween luncheon we had the three blind mice, Mildred Long, Thelma Yost and Linda Purdy, who came as three blind mice. Jim Kaufman and I are on a committee to have some of our members go and visit some of our members who are unable to come to the Center on the fourth Tuesday of each month after our lunch. It is a sad note to tell you that Lynda Purdy has lost her dog Duce. He was a very important part of Lynda's life and to everyone who knew them. Several of our members have been in the hospital. Best wishes from the Joplin Service Club of Joplin.

Valva York

Lake Stockton Council of the Blind

Hello from Lake Stockton!!!!!

On November 7th, we held our Thanksgiving banquet with all the trimmings. Lora Mayer and Margaret Steinbeck furnished the table decorations. MCB President Chip Hailey and his wife, Linda, made a surprise visit. It was so great to have them take the time to be with us. We all enjoyed accordion music played by Ron Kieferle, which brought to mind the good old days.

We were happy to attend a party for Dewey and Leota Amlin to celebrate their 65th anniversary. We wish them many more.

December 5th was our Christmas banquet that was almost canceled due to our winter weather but thirty-six brave souls made it and we had a great time. Harriet Russell and Mary Beichle furnished the table decorations. Robert Evans read a poem "Santa Paws is coming to town." It was dedicated to everyone with pets. Our big surprise was a visit from Santa Claus, who had presents for everyone. Snow really doesn't deter Santa.

The January meeting had to be canceled because of the weather. The next meeting is in February and I hope old man winter lets us have our meeting. We are greatly saddened by the death of three of our members: Margaret Steinbeck, Maxine Deaton, and Mary Hanak. They will be missed so much. Our love and sympathy goes to their families.

Submitted by Pauline Eggert

Missouri Guide Dog Users

Hello from the Missouri Guide Dog Users,

We don't have much to write about this time, but we can still use members. Dues are $2.00 per year. If anyone is interested in being a member please send your name, address, phone number with your dues to Linda Hailey, 2940 West 17th Street, Joplin, MO 64801. We would appreciate previous members renewing dues as well as any new members.

If you have any ideas for moneymakers, please let me know. My address and phone number is at the end of the report.

On a sad note, let's keep Lynda and Forrest Purdy in our prayers. Lynda had to put her Guide dog Deuce down last year. Some of us know what that is like. Until next time, stay warm and healthy.

Marie Thompson, 932 Highway 162, East, Portageville, MO 63873. Phone: 573 379-5007.

chch Ozark Association for the Blind

With heavy heart we bring you the sad news of the death of one of our charter members of Ozark Association of the Blind, Francis Moranville, on the 26th of December 2002. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with his wife

Dorothy of 52 years, also a charter member.

Francis was very active in Missouri Council of the Blind, the Lion's Club and Elks Lodge. He served many times as president and vice president of OAB as well as board member. He chaired many committees. MCB meant a lot to him.

He was fun loving and enjoyed many a good time at summer camp.

Francis lost his sight in 1950. He had a cigar stand at the Federal Courts Building in St. Louis and retired from there in 1980.

Francis, we will miss you deeply. Things will not seem the same without you and your sense of humor.

We have been working hard on obtaining new members following up,

contacting and visiting the people Melvin Smith sends our way.

New Officers for 2003: President, Linda Stoll; Vice President, Melvin Brown; Secretary, Joan Meyers; Treasurer, Dorothy Moranville; Corresponding Secretary, Yvonne Schnitzler; Board Representative, Ida Scotti; Directors, Donna Meyers and Helen Shirrell.

OAB celebrated a Thanksgiving party at Spokes Restaurant in Farmington and everyone is looking forward to a Valentine's Day party at our meeting in February.

Respectfully submitted,

Yvonne Schnitzler

River City Workers for the Blind

Santa has come and gone and we must have been really bad this year because we sure have had plenty of coal to keep us nice and toasty during this frigid Arctic New Year. So here is a teeth chattering hello from the Slightly frozen River City. It has been a cold, snowy winter but we have been able to keep warm both physically and spiritually with our annual service projects.

This year we were able to provide toys for twelve visually impaired children in our area and general necessities for elderly citizens in the Cape Girardeau area. We also gave a food basket to one of our elderly members, and we were able to spend part of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday with our adopted friends, in one of the local nursing homes. Unfortunately, we were saddened by the loss of our adopted friend in January. For the seventh year now we have set up our Christmas display at Cape County Park North. We have found it a great way to get our names out into the community.

We would like to thank all the seventy-eight people who attended our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We had a great time and enjoyed everyone's company thoroughly. We held a small raffle at the dinner for a beautiful door wreath and Lisa Freeman was the lucky winner who got to take the wreath home. We were honored to have a visually impaired young man from our area to come and provide us with some entertainment in addition to our band. However, we are sad to report the death of longtime band member Jake Riehn, who provided entertainment at our dinners as well as at the conventions here in Cape Girardeau.

On a happy note, we would like to thank both the Poplar Bluff and Sikeston affiliates for their hospitality during their Holiday parties. Everyone that went had a wonderful time. Speaking of parties, we are looking forward to our Valentine's Day party at our regular business meeting. It is always wonderful to get to share friendship and fellowship after the meeting.

We would like to ask everyone to save the date of June 7 for our annual picnic this year. We are going to have it at Cape County Park South Shelter 21. We will eat about noon. So come early and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon. We will be mailing out more information as the date draws near or if you have any questions, please call our President.

We have had a rough few months. In January, we lost Jessie Henderson, one of our newer members at the age of 95. Also our President, Charles Werner, had to have heart surgery, and Mary Howard had a brain tumor removed. Both are doing well and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things again.

We would like to see if any of the other affiliates could possibly give out suggestions about what they do for White Cane Week so we could get more information out in our area. We have done things in the past but they have not really been successful. Also we would like to see if any of the affiliates have any ideas as far as what other kinds of fundraisers you have done besides the usual candy sales or raffles. If you have any suggestions, please contact us through our President whose name and address are in the Chronicle.

Well, the weather is really cold right now so keep warm and just remember that next time we are together here it will be really hot. So till next time, God bless.

Brandi Emmons, Elaine Shirrel and Dee Niswonger, Communications Committee

Southwest Missouri Friendship Council

Hello to everyone from The Southwest Missouri Friendship Council for the Blind.

You didn't hear from us in the December 2002 issue of the Chronicle due to an "oops", so I will bring you up-to-date here.

We had elections in October and all current office holders were re-elected to their respective offices. Several of our members attended camp and reported having a great time while there. Also, in October, we had eleven members go to convention in Sikeston and bring back reports to the group.

Since our last update, we have had 3 new members join with us, but on a sad note, in July we lost a very special lady, Kathleen Everett. She was a lifetime member of the Southwest Missouri Friendship Council of the Blind and will be missed greatly by all of us.

In November we all went out to a restaurant in Joplin for a very nice and filling Thanksgiving meal. Everyone had a really good time and left with full tummies. For our Christmas get-together, we all decided to have a pot-luck, and we had lots of it! Also, on that same evening we were delighted to be entertained by one of our very talented members, Richard Trowbridge. He brought his guitar and gave us some wonderful renditions of traditional Christmas music, and threw in a couple of his special little funny ditties. Everyone enjoyed it very much.

With the New Year, we dove right back into business, with another new member application and our transportation committee looking into purchasing another van to transport members.

Good-bye for now, until the next edition of the Missouri Chronicle.

Tracy B Cushman, public relations

The Springfield Scene

By Phyllis Lovett

It's been several years since I had the pleasure of reporting for the Springfield Service Club. We have been busy as you can see from the following:

Thanksgiving Dinner

We usually share our Thanksgiving dinner with the West Plains chapter but things just did not work out this year. We had dinner at Perkins restaurant where we have our regular meetings, but with a different twist. Instead of each person paying for their dinner, the Service Club paid for everyone. We had several guests, Diane Diffy, MCB member at large, Gary and Brenda Joplin. We all waddled out of the restaurant.

Christmas Party

Our annual Christmas party was held at the Jenny Lind Apartment meeting room. The Service Club provided several meats and the members brought finger foods to accompany our sandwiches. Christmas music was enjoyed by all. We had a gift exchange where all gifts were labeled either man or woman and were given out to each member. This was supposed to be a game where you could trade your gift with someone else but the gifts were so nice no one traded.

Our January meeting was canceled because of the weather. We are planning to visit West Plains on Monday, Feb. 10 for our annual exchange visit. Eleven of our members plan to attend. I hope Bill has better jokes than last year.

Please note the article in this issue about the annual White

Cane Walk. That's all for now, folks.

The White Cane Walk

It's Time for the White Cane Walk

The seventh, I think, annual White Cane Walk will be held on Saturday, may 17. The week of May 15 through May 21 is recognized in Missouri as White Cane Week. Our Walk is to make the public aware of the white canes and the use and importance of white canes to blind or visually impaired people. The Walk is also a fund raising event with the proceeds going to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation in Columbia. Lunch will be provided and also a fun time. The Walk will start about 11 addm. and proceed around the perimeter of Phelps Grove Park. Fund raising sheets are available. We invite you to participate and have a good time with us. This is also a regional get together. Everyone is welcome. The park is beautiful, the food is good and this is a good opportunity to visit with your M.C.B. friends. Come and bring your White Cane.

UWB Update

Hello from the United Workers for the Blind,

In September, we found it necessary to elect a new Treasurer to fill the rest of Charles Smith's term. One of our new members, Howard Compton agreed to serve in this position. I would like to publicly commend Howard for the excellent job he has done as our Treasurer since taking over in September. I don't think that anyone could have done a better job of getting our affiliate through a very difficult situation. A very heartfelt thank you, Howard!

We celebrated our Christmas Party on December 13. There were several guests in attendance, including Chip and Linda Hailey. Entertainment was provided by the Faithful Servants Chorus, consisting of UWB members Jack and June Lenk, Jim, Ethel and Cecilia Lee; Jim and Rena Holmes and Mark Perr. They have been performing together for about a year or so and they do a really great job.

At the February meeting, we learned that Dr. Betty Davidson, who had served as Special Needs Principal at the Missouri School for the Blind, was appointed as Deputy Director for RSB. We voted to host a reception for her, so that any interested blind Missourians could meet and talk with her. it will be held on April 6th from 1:blecj-4:30 at the MCB Building. Rick Burch is the Chairman of the Committee planning this reception. Information about the reception will be mailed to all affiliates as soon as plans have been completed. We hope many of you will be able to come and meet the new head of RSB.

We have just learned that Goldie Goldenberg has passed away. She was 95 years old and was living at a Nursing home in Sullivan, Mo. She was a member of long standing in UWB.

We extend our sympathy to June Lenk and Anna Schell, who lost their mothers recently. We also send our prayers to Robyn Wallen, whose mother has been in the hospital with several serious health problems. She is now in a nursing home.

Fred Keller has retired as Director of the Service Club for the Blind, a position he held for many years. Congratulations to his daughter Kitty, who has taken over the Service Club. Kitty and her sister Joanne are taking the agency in exciting new directions and we wish them well.

And now, let's just sit back and wait for spring.

John Weidlich

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From The Lower Left-Hand Drawer

It's time to look once again at the contents of the lower left-hand drawer, or should I say the Items file in the Braille Lite to see what's new that might be of interest to you. As usual we have lots of web sites and gadgets for your consideration. We also have several items relating to Braille, which should please all of you who support Braille. As usual, I remind you that inclusion of an item in this column does not indicate endorsement by MCB, or me nor can I vouch for the reliability of any of the companies mentioned here.

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has a new web site called Career Connect, which is a database of about a thousand blind job holders who are willing to discuss their jobs with blind job seekers. You can also get tips on job hunting and interviewing and help with preparing a resume. The web site is

wwwddafbddorgstcareerconnect

Responding to the shortage of Braille transcribers, AFB, with a grant from the Verizon Corporation, has launched the national campaign for literacy, textbooks, transcribers and technology to improve access to Braille for blind children. The focus of the campaign will be to encourage people to become Braille textbook transcribers and to raise public awareness of the need for blind children to have access to Braille material.

I happen to have several items from companies and individuals offering to transcribe material into Brl, so let's give them to you here. The I Can See Books Braille Bookstore's Read What You Want program will transcribe children's books into Braille upon request. They also have a catalog listing about a thousand books in Braille for readers of all ages. For more information, call (800) 695-8271 or every-mail

transcription@brlbookstoreddcom

Maryan Rocker will Braille greeting cards for any occasion, including birthdays, retirement, anniversaries, holidays or graduation. Contact her at 415 Chapel Drive, E-107, Tallahassee FL 32304. every-mail

mullywamoth@nettallyddcom

Computers to help People Inc. will transcribe Braille music for $3.00 a page. They will also do books in literary or Nemeth code. Call (608) 257-5917 or send every-mail to

techbrl@chpiddorg

The Bartimaeus Group, known for its line of assistive technology products, has begun a Braille transcription service. They will Braille things like convention programs, meeting agendas and class assignments. Their address is 1481 Chain Bridge Road, Mclean, VA 22101, Phone: (703) 462-5023. Their web site is

wwwddbartsiteddcom

Vision Community Services, a division of the Massachusetts Association of the Blind, will Braille menus, financial statements, user manuals for consumer products and hymnals. Contact Bob Hachey, Braille Program Supervisor, 23B Elm Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

I mentioned this one last time, but I am going to include it again, since it is operated locally. The K. S. Braille Transcription Service, operated by Kerry Smith, will transcribe print material into Brl. Submit material in MSB Word format or as an every-mail attachment. Phone: (314) 644-7733 or every-mail

kerrylsmith@prodigyddnet

Still More About Braille: You can now go to jail and learn Braille. Braille Jail is a web site, begun a couple of years ago, where you can go to learn Braille. The site offers courses in many aspects of Braille, both reading and writing. Experienced Braille users are also available through this web site to answer questions. The web site is

wwwddbrljailddnet

I don't always go along with all of the changes we keep making to names of agencies and organizations and terminology, but this one seems to make sense to me. At the request of many people in the blindness field, The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) has decided that we should drop the terms Grade I and Grade II Braille and refer instead to uncontracted and contracted Braille, since those terms more accurately describe the two levels of Braille and how Braille is learned, read and transcribed. BANA says the ultimate goal is to enhance understanding and more accurately reflect what Braille truly is-- a versatile and effective reading and writing system for people of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. All agencies and organizations dealing with Braille are urged to make this change in writing, presentations and general practice.

I suspect that perhaps one of the frustrations that adults experience when trying to learn Braille is that there isn't enough material in uncontracted Braille that they would enjoy reading. I would think it would be hard to get motivated to read Braille if you had to read children's books or groups of simple unrelated sentences. The Braille Institute of America has just produced two books in uncontracted Braille for adults learning to read Braille. And they sound like interesting reading. The first is called My Friend, You Are Legally Blind, by former newspaper reporter Charles Champlin, which recounts his struggle to deal with macular degeneration. The other is called An Anthology of Short Articles, Anecdotes and Jokes, For Practice In Grade I Braille by Doug Menville, Editor of the Braille Mirror. Each sells for $13.00. They are available from the Braille Institute of America, 741 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Phone: (800) 272-4553.

Future Forms sells continuous feed paper for use in Braille printers. It comes in three sizes, punched or not punched, ranging in price from $33.00 to $35.50 per carton. Call (800) 748-0235. The address is 903 Chicago Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49509.

The Braille Revival League is selling a Braille contraction booklet, a 4 by 5 inch spiral bound booklet listing all of the Braille contractions arranged in alphabetical order. The cost is $5.00 and can be ordered from Lynne Koral, 1561 Nelchina Street, Unit C-1, Anchorage, AK 99501. Make checks payable to the Braille Revival League.

The NLS Magazine of the Month program allows subscribers to check out magazines that are not yet available through the NLS program. Each month you get a different magazine on tape. I think you then have the chance to comment on whether you think the magazine should be added to the magazine program. To join Magazine of the Month, call Wolfner Library.

You can find a list of blindness-related every-mail lists by going to

wwwddaccesstechnologyinstituteddcom

Blind Treasures, a company operated by a blind person, has an auction site with no selling or listing fees. Check it out at

wwwddbltreasuresddcomstauction

A company called Internet Speech offers a service called Net Echo. For a monthly fee, you can call from any phone and use verbal commands to send and receive every-mail or surf the web. For more information, call (877) 312-4638.

Knitting Patterns Plain and Fancy is a print-Braille book available for $10 from the National Braille Press. The address is 88 St. Stephen Street, Boston, MA 02115, Phone: (800) 548-7323.

The Adaptive Mamma-Care Learning System allows blind and visually impaired women to do breast self-examinations at home. The kit comes with a tape, an audio described film and a breast model showing which abnormalities are routine and which might require immediate medical attention. To order, or for information, call (800) 626-2673 or write the Mammatech Corporation, 930 NW Eighth Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601.

Morgan Commercial Enterprises has a free catalog featuring electronics, general merchandise, collectibles, gifts, tools, toys, jewelry, and religious items. The catalog is available in Braille, large print, disk or by e-mail. The address is 901 Freeport Road, Creighton, PA 15030, Phone: (724) 226-1930. Every-mail:

jackmorg@verizonddnet

Horizons for the Blind has new cookbooks, and books on knitting, crocheting and gardening, including one called 1,112 Down to Earth Garden Secrets. For a catalog call (815) 444-8830 or send every-mail to

mail@horrizons-blindddorg

AFB has just published a revised version of Making Life More Livable: Simple Adaptations for Living At Home After Vision Loss by Maureen A. Duffy, a book originally published in 1983. The emphasis is on simple adaptations that can be made in each room of your home. There is also basic information on vision loss and a resource list. It can be ordered in large print from AFB Press, (800) 232-3044.

A guide to pronouncing Biblical names is now available in Braille or large print from the Lutheran Braille Workers. To order call (909) 795-8977 or write to Po Box 5000, Yucaipa, CA 92399. You can also call Robert Werth at (316) 683-3688. The book is free.

The Lucky Touch Fortune Cookie Company, a business operated by blind students, sells fortune cookies with fortunes in Braille and large print. Customized orders are available. Contact Judith Lesner at (510) 794-3800, Extension 300. The address is 500 Walnut Avenue, Freemont, CA 94536.

The Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss, a special interest affiliate of ACB, offers peer counseling to people needing help with adjusting to vision loss. Call (818) 848-2475 or send every-mail to

teddieremhild@earthlinkddnet

Innovative Rehabilitation Technology Inc. (IRTI) is selling a new 4-track cassette player and recorder that is voice activated. It is made by Sony. It records on two tracks with a built-in microphone. It also has variable playback speed. IRTI says it does not clip off syllables as other voice-activated recorders often do. It sells for $139.95. Call IRTI at (800) 322-4784.

Here are web sites that will help you determine if you are eligible for Federal benefits. They are

wwwdddisabilityinfoddgov

and

wwwddgovbenefitsddgov

R. O. F. Studios has Coulds containing top forty pop hits from 1937-1963 for $5.00 each. They can also restore recordings or put reel to reel recordings on Could. The company also has old radio shows. The phone number is (720) 334-1482 and their web site is

wwwddrofstudiosddcom

The Bodi-band Wrist wallet is, as the name implies, a wallet you can wear on your wrist. It has windows for credit cards and hidden compartments for cash or keys. It comes in various colors and designs for around $12.00. Phone (301) 925-2488 or write BodiBand, 12138 Central Avenue, Mitchelville, MD 20721.

Donna found a new item while she was Christmas shopping last year. It is a purse with a light inside. It seems to be available at many department stores.

Jeanie Wisa Fike has heard of a number you can call to get your name removed from credit card mailings. The number is (888) 567-8688. The service is called Opt Out and is sponsored by credit reporting agencies. When you call you will be asked to give your name, phone number and Social Security number. It is said to be good for two years.

Watch for a new biography of Louis Braille, scheduled for publication sometime next year. It is being written by Michael Mellor, former Editor of the Ziegler Magazine. and will be published by National Braille Press.

Perhaps you are familiar with a program being conducted by the US Mint under which states are being allowed to issue special quarters commemorating an event in the state's history or a historic figure associated with the state. Alabama's state quarter, which will be issued in March, will feature an image of Helen Keller, seated with a book in her lap. Her name will also be represented in Braille. It will contain the slogan Spirit of Courage.

The ACB Store is now available at

wwwddacbddorg

selling Convention tapes, and other ACB products. More items will be available soon.

Patti Ashby at the MCB office has found a web site featuring talking products and large print material. It is

wwwddseniorstoreddcom

Guide Dog Users Inc. has released Thirty Years, Harness in Hand, a Could of music and poetry contributed by guide dog users. To order, call (888) 858-1008 or visit

wwwddgduiddorg

Walk Thru The Bible offers a Braille edition of Daily Walk, a monthly devotional magazine. The magazine contains Bible chapters with personal applications and insights. They also produce Closer Walk, a guide to the New Testament. Contact Betsy Grenevitch, (678) 344-6100.

The 2002 Edition of the Red Book, a publication of the Social Security Administration, gives details about many aspects of working while disabled, including how working affects eligibility for benefits, the Ticket to Work program and other employment supports. For a copy call (800) 772-1213. It is also available online at

wwwddssaddgov

Allan Golabek makes custom-made hand-crafted wooden engraved signs in various styles. They can be used for such things as house numbers or business names. The block letters are easy to feel by touch. The cost $55.00. Allan's address is 70 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT 06801. Phone: (203) 443-9238.

ATANDT customers can request Braille bills by calling (800) 222-0300.

The Department of Transportation has set up the Aviation Consumer Disability Hotline to assist people with disabilities who have experienced airline problems. The number is (866) 266-1368.

Magnifico is a new magnification device that will help blind people read the displays on the increasingly popular devices known as personal data assistants or PAIDA'S. It cost $29.99 from Office on the Go-Go, (800) 679-1909.

Voice Web Solutions is a new company that gives blind people access to the web over the telephone. Strangely, no phone number was given, but the web site is

wwwddvoicewebsolutionsddnet

That does it for this time. I hope you found something this time you can use. Until we open the drawer again in June, keep in touch.

I Believe

This was posted to the MCB list by Judy Burch, who got it from the Internet. I believe there are some very powerful statements here, which is why I'm sharing this with you.

I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe that you can keep going, long after you can't.

I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.

I believe that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

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