In this episode of White Canes Connect, we share the 2025 NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention banquet keynote delivered by National Federation of the Blind Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives, Anil Lewis. With humor, honesty, and warmth, Anil traces his journey from sudden blindness and early misconceptions about rehabilitation to discovering the Federation's philosophy of high expectations, love, and accountability.

He reflects on Dr. Marc Maurer's mentorship, his leadership in Georgia, work on accessible voting and ending subminimum wages under Section 14(c), and the transformative training he received at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Throughout, Anil returns to one powerful question: are we taking more than we give? His stories of family, faith, and Federation service challenge each of us to share our own story, get into "good trouble," and help build the National Federation of the Blind together—all starting right here in Pennsylvania today.

Show notes at https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/146

PA Association of Blind Merchants Holiday Party

The PABM invites you to the 2025 Holiday Networking Party and Fundraiser on December 6 from 5 PM to 10 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Philadelphia Airport. Enjoy food, music, our auction, and basket raffles. In addition, the Blind Merchants will be collecting non-perishable food to donate to Philabundance. Learn more and register at https://pablindmerchants.org/holiday-party/registration/. Did I mention the OPEN bar from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM? Thanks to an anonymous donor, there will be an open bar for 2 hours. Get there early, drink up, and bid on the great auction items!

Donate to the NFB of PA

Like what you hear on White Canes Connect? Please support us and donate to the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania, visit http://www.supportpablind.org.

Keep Up-to-date with the Affiliate

Learn about chapter and division meetings and fundraisers on Federation Focus. It's available on the affiliate's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa. New episodes drop every Monday.

We Want to Hear Your Story

Reach out with questions and comments, or share ideas! We want to hear from you. Call us at (267) 338-4495 or at whitecanesconnect@gmail.com.

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