AFB Blog

Helen Keller and Polly Thomson with amputees in wheelchairs at McCloskey General Hospital, Temple, Texas, 1944 On Veterans Day, the American Foundation for the Blind honors all those who have fought in America's wars. Helen Keller was, and remains, a source of inspiration and solace for so many. During her lifetime thousands of veterans were inspired by her courage. We are particularly proud of the role Helen Keller played as a leading advocate for the men injured and maimed during World…

Meet Poonam Agrawal, 16, a junior at Cypress Ridge High School in Houston, Texas. At a recent community health fair, Poonam printed out some information from AFB’s website and set up a collection box to encourage donations. “I’m so glad to advocate for AFB and raise awareness about vision loss and all that AFB does to help people with blindness and low vision,” she said. Poonam found out about AFB when she was researching Helen Keller, who has been a life-long inspiration. Keller’s forty-…

Patrick Dunphy is unafraid of challenges. Recently recovering from retinal surgery, he plans to run the New York City Marathon this November while raising funds for AFB. "I like how AFB encourages people with vision loss to stretch and challenge themselves to aim higher," he said. Dunphy, 32, is Assistant Principal and head of the Social Studies department at Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows (Queens, NY). He has a lot in common with his hero, Theodore Roosevelt. Like the 26th U.…

Welcome to this, the seventh day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. We have now raised $22,819, which is fantastic! But we have only one day left to reach our goal of $25,000. Please donate now and be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. A "Who’s Who" of the 19th and 20th Centuries "Some people are foolish enough to imagine that wealth and power and fame satisfy our hearts: but they never do, unless they are used to create and distribute…

Welcome to this, the sixth day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. The total has risen to a fabulous $22,656! However, we still need to raise $2,344 to reach our goal of $25,000, and we only have two days left of the fundraiser. Remember, every dollar we raise will be matched by the National Endowment for the Humanities, so please donate now and be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. See beyond a person’s disability… "When we do the best…

Welcome to this, our fifth day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. Every dollar we raise will be matched by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For a short time only, your gift of $10 will be worth $20, $25 will bring in $50 – you get the idea! We need to raise the money by this coming Wednesday, September 30th. Donate now and be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. In the Realm of the Senses "I can tell music from other vibrations by…

Welcome to the fourth day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. Every dollar we raise will be matched by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For a short time only, your gift of $10 will be worth $20, $25 will bring in $50 – you get the idea! But we need to raise this money by next Wednesday, September 30th. Donate now and be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. A Super Star! "Smile! Laughter makes even subdued personalities sparkle. No…

Welcome to the third day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. Yesterday we raised $6,124 which is absolutely wonderful! We are $5,919 away from our goal of $25,000 goal. With your help we can do this! We need to raise this money by next Wednesday, September 30th. Donate now be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. A Global Warrior "I believe that the welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all" Keller traveled to 39 countries around the…

Welcome to the second day of our 8-day #BeAMiracleworker campaign. We are thrilled to report that our total has risen by $2,212 and we have reached $12,957. Please help us reach our $25,000 goal by September 30th. Every dollar we raise will be matched by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Donate now and be a miracle worker. And don’t forget to follow the campaign’s progress on Facebook. A Supreme Communicator "I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty and…