Wednesday, January 13, 2010 dawned cloudy and fair with no forecast for wet stuff, whether it be rain or snow! It was a cold early morning as I went to the bus stop with my dog, Chester, to catch the bus to go to the Georgia Capitol for Blind Day, where I knew I would see other members of the Georgia Blind Coalition of which I am a Committee Member.
Before leaving home and knowing I would be late arriving there, I sent a text message to Michelle Hope to see what she was up to and when she would leave her home to head for the Capitol. She and I exchanged a few messages until I left for the bus stop. Later while I was on the bus she sent me a text message wanting to know where I was headed so I told her. We met at the MARTA Avondale Station where she gave me a ride the rest of the way to the Capitol. Bless her heart!
When we arrived at the legislative building where the meeting for the blind and deaf-blind was taking place everyone was leaving the meeting room to go to the Capitol to listen to Governor Perdue's State of the State address. Everyone went up to the third floor to the balcony area. Knowing that area is not good for interpreting to the deaf-blind I got a pass with two interpreters to sit inside the Chamber where the speech was to be given.
While there, one of the interpreters with the group on the balcony entered the chamber to let me and my interpreters know that everyone was going back to the legislative building to talk 'strategies' with the legislators after the State of the State Address. I was getting my things, preparing to leave when the Governor entered the room meaning I and my interpreters were 'confided' to the chamber to 'grin and bear it' through the Governor's address as we could not leave. The State of the State was not all that bad because in it the Governor talked about giving state money to groups that needed it That got me to thinking how much the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities really needed more money for better services and the like.
Upon leaving the chamber I was met by Michelle Hope and two others with her. She asked where I had been and I told her I got locked up! She said the three had been looking all over for me! Sorry, Michelle but you just don't know the Capitol!
The four of us then hiked across the street to the Legislative Building to join the rest of the blind and deaf-blind group and eat lunch cause I had a grumbling tummy.
We all enjoyed some lunch from Chic-Fil-A and afterwards waited for several legislators to arrive to speak to the group. I can't remember the legislators names but we had three I think come to talk to us. A female legislator came first with two other legislators following her when she had left. I think the pair that spoke to the group were Senators who spoke together as a team and reminded us in bits and pieces of the Governor's State of the State Address.
l listened to the legislators and then listened to questions and comments from the audience. The information shared by both was well meant with some of it very interesting. Believing I had heard enough of what had been said I raised my hand to signal I wished to speak.
After a while of waiting and waiting I was finally acknowledged. I had two interpreters with me so naturally I motioned for the interpreter to begin speaking for me as I signed.
"After listening to you speak of the Governor's State of the State and things he said about giving the money to groups that need it, I really appreciate your coming to talk to us."
"However, after listening to you both talk about the economy and how it has affected the revenue of Georgia, I have to say that I believe using the economy is a poor excuse for a reason as to why Georgia has not been helping the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities."
"In the past under several Governors when Georgia had a good economy there was little support given to the Blind and Deaf-Blind Communities. This is not acceptable that you use the economy as an excuse for not trying to help these communities. We really need the services but we have had to wait and wait."
"I would appreciate it if you both would help your fellow legislators and the Governor understand our needs and ask them to support us as we attempt to gain monetary support."
That message came from my heart, mind, and soul and started the audience to more discussions especially about Support Service Providers for the DeafBlind.
The legislators pledged to see what they might be able to do. The discussions continued until time for the group to leave the room.
