Legally Blind College Student
Honored in Washington DC

Brooklyn, NY resident Helaine Blumenthal was welcomed into the offices of two of Washington's most powerful and influential policy makers recently as part of the celebration of her National Achievement Award (NAA) from the national nonprofit Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic. The award is given annually to four college seniors with visual impairments who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, enterprise and service to others. “It is a privilege to meet young people of such accomplishment and character,” said Secretary Paige. In eighth grade, Helaine's eyesight began to seriously decline. She soon realized that “joining RFB&D was a matter of academic survival.” With RFB&D's help, Helaine graduated from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn in the top one percent of her class and was an Intel Science Talent Search semifinalist. Legally blind, she continued her education at Swarthmore College, graduating with a 3.64 GPA. Via the Upward Bound Program, she also tutored high school students from underprivileged backgrounds. In the fall of 2001, she studied in Prague, Czech Republic. While there, she engaged in cross-cultural dialogue regarding the treatment of people with visual impairments. Helaine hopes to attend graduate school and earn a PhD, something she says she “could not even think of doing without the knowledge and confidence that RFB&D will be there.”#

For information about RFB&D membership, volunteer or support opportunities, call the New York Unit at 212-557-5720 or visit www.rfbd.org.