Nicely said Dan, and I really wish I could have made it to Houston.
Bill Stephan, Kansas City MO Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (816)803-2469 -original message- Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Thanks to the creator. From: Dan Rossi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 10/27/2008 13:19 Yes, this message is off topic for the Blind Handyman list, and I expect will spawn a bunch of other off topic posts of agreement. But it is important, needs to be said, and needs to be read by one and all. So, moderators, hike your skirts up, and sit on your hands for the next day or two. *GRIN* I was one of the attendies at this years biannual Blind Like Me / Blind Handyman get-together in Houston. There may not be another as Phil is retiring from hosting this gathering. Also, although I couldn't be there, this was the recording of the last BHM and BLM shows. We all like to think we make a difference in life. Most of us do. We make the difference to our spouses, children, family in general. We all have an impact on a circle of friends and coworkers. It is rare though, that someone makes a difference in many many lives outside of there normal circles. Phil Parr, and his buddies Don Shaw, Don Patterson, and Tom Houston, have made a difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of blind people, quite literally around the world. There idea of producing a show about blind folks doing handyman tasks, and then another show about the achievements of blind people, great and small, made a difference. Most of us who post on these lists regularly are doers. We set our minds to tasks and we do them with little thought. It is easy to forget that there are many blind people out there who have, hopefully had, no idea that it was even in the realm of possibility that a blind person could change a light switch, or wire a house, bang together a couple of boards for a makeshift shelf, or build a deck, fix a leaky faucet, or plumb a new bathroom, check the pressure in a car's tires, or rebuild a race engine. Phil's concept, ability, determination, and personality has spread that word far and wide. I know that reading this list gave me the courage, and the means, to take on projects like the deck and other projects I have done around my house. Being able to ask here, how another blind person did something, or just getting some encouraging words has been a great help. Being able to chat with others with similar experiences is comforting and gives an interesting view on the world. Phil, I want to thank you and your gang for everything you have done over the last six years. You should be very proud of what you have created. You made a difference. Thanks very much. -- Blue skies. Dan Rossi Carnegie Mellon University. E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (412) 268-9081
