March for Independence

For the past several years my sweet husband has attended the National Convention for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). At the last two conventions he has participated in the March for Independence.

What is the March for Independence you ask...

Atlanta, GA - July 2007

"The March for Independence -- A Walk for Opportunity, is a 5K walk-a-thon fundraising event and celebration demonstrating the independent spirit of the nation's organized blind, their friends, family, and supporters. The event relies on volunteers to register and participate in a 5K walk and to raise donations for walking. The donations raised, support the National Federation of the Blind's Imagination Fund. The Imagination Fund supports local and state outreach efforts benefiting blind people in your local community. Blind children, teens, youth, college students, adults, and seniors losing their vision as well as the programs and initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Jernigan Institute."

Dallas, TX - July 2008

This year I am planning to attend the convention with Kevin. We are headed to the Motor City (Detroit, MI). I am looking forward to meeting and "networking" with many different individuals from around the world. Most especially, I am anxious to speak to those who share my challenges with schooling my children.

If you would like to read more about or would be interested in sponsoring KD for the March for Independence you can visit KD's Personal Page.

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I have always been very proud of my dear husband and his passion/desire for equality. One of the many things that I love about Kevin is is ability to write. One of the first creations that I was able to read was an article entitled My Undiscovered Future that was featured in the February 1998 issue of the Braille Monitor.

Here is a note from the Editor regarding this article:

"Before the state rehabilitation agency serving the blind of Missouri decided it would no longer send Missouri residents to the Colorado Center for the Blind for rehabilitation training in the skills of blindness, Kevin Ledford requested to be sent to Denver for job and skills training. (See the July, 1997, issue of the Braille Monitor.) By his own account he had been completely unsuccessful in keeping jobs and had little faith in himself. The following is his story of what happened when he was able to benefit from an NFB adult training center's unique blend of hope, high expectations, and hard work. Kevin Ledford is a living reminder that anything is possible when a determined blind person is offered real opportunity. It's tragic that Missouri has closed the door on those in the state who would like to follow Kevin's example.

As you will find, we are both very passionate individuals and, as any parents would, we will do all that we can to ensure our children have all that they need to succeed. This is just the beginning of a challenge we will be able to conquer together.

"Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion"

~Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel