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Dear Lions and
Ladies;
I suppose you have
heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who
knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she
passes on, never to return. And that is as it should be. Lovely,
desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and grab "em.
I am your
opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The
legend doesn't say what you are to do when several beautiful
opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have to
choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the
youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities
for service.
The American
Federation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the
imperative needs of the blind, and was called into existence by the
sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and in
importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thoughts on our
subject that has been reached so far. Its object is to make the lives
of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic
value and giving them the joy of normal activity.
Try
to imagine how you would feel if you are suddenly stricken blind today.
Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night; your
independence, gone.
In
that dark world wouldn't you be glad if a friend took you by the hand
and said, "Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the
things you used to do when you could see"?
That
is just the kind of friend the American Foundation is going to be to all
the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it
must have.
You have heard how
through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of
light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found
myself, found the world, found God. It is because my teacher learned
about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me
that I am able to work for myself and for others. It is the caring that
we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy and interests of
the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make people have this great
country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness.
The opportunity I
bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the
American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day
when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind
child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions,
you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and
kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this
crusade against darkness?
I
thank you. |
