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Saturday, July 26, 2014

Matilda Ziegler Magazine, once described by Helen Keller as a "godsend," ceases publication




I thought that some of you would want to mark the snuffing-out of a candle for blind culture. I'm very disappointed by this loss of a venue that has published writings by blind people. I'm even more disappointed that it wasn't for lack of funds, but because of the choice to focus on medical research instead.

Letter below.

John

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July 25, 2014

As you are aware the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind has been suspended for the past several months pending a review by the Board of Directors of The E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind. Considerable time was spent evaluating its substance, breadth of distribution, and readers' responses. With heavy heart the directors voted to discontinue the weekly magazine and use the Foundation's resources solely for scientific research through grants to highly innovative medical researchers who are making important advances in vision research.

We've come a long way from when my great grandmother, Electa Matilda Ziegler, founded the magazine in 1907 with the goal of producing reading material for the blind "as much as possible like that published for the seeing." Raised type books of the era were expensive, and the freely circulated magazine helped to fill an information void.

Today's blind and those with visual impairment can obtain books and magazines in Braille, on cassette, and in DVD or CD format from the National Library Service and the American Foundation for the Blind. Radio, television, internet, and commercially produced audio books have all become accessible, and provide resources that could not have been imagined in 1907.

Your emails and letters show that we've touched the lives of thousands of blind and vision impaired people. The Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind was once described by Helen Keller as a "godsend," and Mark Twain described it as "one of the noblest benefactions of his lifetime." We hope to realize a medical breakthrough that will be worthy of the same praise.

On behalf of the E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation Board I sincerely thank you for your loyal readership over our many years.

Cynthia Ziegler Brighton
President

Sunday, July 6, 2014

UK event: Short Course - Paranoia and Beliefs

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED HOW TO RESPOND TO SOMEONE EXPRESSING ‘UNUSUAL’ BELIEFS?

Short course (comprising one-and-a-half days)
UNDERSTANDING &
SUPPORTING PEOPLE
WITH PARANOIA AND BELIEFS

Thursday 14th August 2014, 10.00am to 5.00pm
Friday 15th August, 10.00am to 2.00pm

run by the London Paranoia & Beliefs Project (part of Mind in Camden)


 This short course does not include training in setting up, or facilitating, a Paranoia Peer Support Group. The focus will be on looking at different ways of making sense of, and coping with paranoia and the distress related to beliefs.

The London Paranoia & Beliefs Project launched in February 2012, and is run by Mind in Camden in partnership with the National Paranoia Network. Mind in Camden is known for its previous success establishing a Londonwide network of groups for people who hear voices. Founded on an ethos of acceptance and validation, Hearing Voices Groups provide a safe space where members can share without fear of judgement, and where their experiences are understood as having personal meaning. The London Paranoia & Beliefs Project aims to develop a similar network of peer support groups for people experiencing paranoia or distress related to beliefs. There are now 12 such groups currently running in London – where beliefs can be explored, common ground discovered, and coping strategies shared.

£7 for individuals with lived experience of paranoia
£50 for individuals without lived experience of paranoia
£50 for Voluntary Organisations
£75 for Statutory Organisations

Venue
Cardboard Citizens
77A Greenfield Rd
Whitechapel
London E1 1EJ

with best wishes

John Wetherell
Project Assistant
020 7241 8978

London Paranoia & Beliefs Project
run in partnership with the National Paranoia Network

Mind in Camden
Barnes House, 9-15 Camden Road, London, NW1 9LQ
www.mindincamden.org.uk


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Fundraising Appeal From Left Foot Forward

Dear Friend,
 
TONIGHT at the private members’ club, Hurlingham, the Tories will host around 500 of the mega-wealthy to raise funds that they hope will fool the public into forgetting everything they’ve done since coming to power.
 
 
Last year at a similar private fundraiser, David Cameron rubbed shoulders with the likes of Vladimir Putin’s aide (and judo partner), Vasily Shestakov, and the lobbyists who represent the wife of the Syrian president Asma al-Assad. 449 of the super-rich, holding a combined £11 billion, paid £12,000 per table and then donated a further £5 million.
 
The strength of the left is in the power of us all coming together to combat these few mega-wealthy individuals. Can you donate £5 right now to help us?
 
Click here to chip in just £5: https://leftfoot.bsd.net/donate
 
Between all of us, every little bit makes a big difference. Thank you for supporting us.
 
Best wishes,
James Bloodworth, Left Foot Forward