Russell, twenty-three, attributes her bright outlook to the Federation, which operates three training centers for the blind in Louisiana, Colorado, and Minnesota. Computer classes and woodshop are part of the instruction. To meet graduation requirements, Russell prepared a breakfast, complete with blueberry bread, for forty people. Russell became part of Carnival royalty after the krewe's executive director, Terry McIntosh, invited her longtime friend Harold Snider to ride in the parade. Snider accepted, and Russell was invited to fill a slot in the royal court.
Adjustment is usually a more difficult process.
Snider, who'll ride in the parade with his wife Linda, said he's always heard so much about Mardi Gras while growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, and will finally fulfill a long-held ambition to ride in a parade. The National Convention, expected to draw 3,000 participants, will be in New Orleans June 28 through July 5. We want to show that blind people can ride on floats, throw stuff off floats, and take their place in society.