Hello Fellow MCB members: AS you have read previously I am running for one of the three board of directors positions available this year. Just so you all know more about me: I am a native born St. Louisan. I went to JFK High School....a St. Louis question.LOL. I attended Rockhurst in KC and received a BA in 1986. I worked part time as a social worker with the developmentally disabled while earning my master of social work degree from Saint Louis University. My most recent job was a Manager of the Assessment Department at BJC Behavioral Health. This was an outpatient Mental Health facility for chronically mentally ill adults. We did assessments, crisis intervention and case management. In addition, I was involved in budgeting and supervising of staff. I was born with congenital glaucoma but in 1964 they did not catch it until thanks to my mother ....they caught it at age 4 or 5. My parents took me three times to a pediatric ophthalmologist in Washington DC where he was unable to save the vision in my right eye but saved in my left eye. I had vision of 20/30 with constant monitoring of the glaucoma pressure. So I went to regular school, drove a car, traveled independently etc. It was quite a shock as it is to all of us who have lost our vision later in life to not have that same amount of independence. To those born with blindness I didn't have to face the challenges of they have but still have not decided who had or ever had it easier. None of us...i think. Unfortunately, at age 35 the glaucoma caught up with me and it effected my cornea. So I have a double edge sword here. I had three unsuccessful cornea transplants . I slowly began losing my vision about 13 years ago and stopped working about 9 years ago. RSB did all they could but my boss was not helpful at all. It was a slow death of the vision and now i see only barely light. We all have our own different stories and some are more horrific I am sure but that is mine. I have been married for 13 years to Jim. I have a son Sam who is 8 and will be one week shy of 9 at the convention. He is adopted from Guatemala and he is darling. I did get to see him. I am eager to represent the members of MCB to deal with the internal challenges of fundraising we face with the thrift stores, finding an executive director and getting our name out there to have as many people who are visually impaired join. AS a chairperson of special services I am more fully aware of how visually impaired people are not aware of MCB and all we do and offer. In my dealings with sighted people at my church, son's school and even with relatives I am constantly educating people on MCB. On an external level I want to work in coordination with RSB to get more blind individuals employed , work on legislative matters that effect us i.e. blind pension lawsuit, and just educating the corporate community. I am not afraid to stand up for what I think is the right thing to do and only want MCB to be the best it can be.
I will be on the MO Connect Monday September 19 at 7:00 p.m. The number to call is, (712) 432-6100 and the Participant Passcode is: 129071# sign. Thanks for your time. Anne Murphy 314-434-4051
_______________________________________________ ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.) A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
