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 Foundation 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 thought 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 were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and
groping at noonday as in the night; your work, 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 we want more than
money. The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty.
If you care, if we can make the people of 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.
