Actually, I can think of one other and that is Tom Sullivan, who while he
didn't graduate from there went to Perkins. It was neat to read his book
"Footsteps in the Dark" and see the names of teachers I had met, when I
moved with Mom out there.
Bea.
From: msb-alumni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:msb-alumni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mark Martin
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2016 1:12 AM
To: MSB Alumni
Subject: [msb-alumni] Celebrity and Schools for the Blind
I got to thinking about how many schools for the blind can boast of an
alumnus as well known as Stevie? I can think of a couple of others, Ronnie
Milsap from the Governor Morehead School in North Carolina, and Ray Charles
from Florida. How supportive have they been? Personally I don't know.
Those of you who apparently track these things could perhaps fill us in!
Maybe this would give you the satisfaction in knowing they have been more
supportive of their schools, or maybe they have done no better. We here in
Michigan have nothing left to support. I actually don't know the status of
Florida and North Carolina. We have two Christmas concerts with Stevie
singing solos. How many schools for the blind can lay claim to that, and
how about Stevie writing one of his best known songs right there on our
campus! "My Cherie Amour" reached the number 4 position on the national
Billboard charts in 1969. What is behind this anyway? Envy? Jealousy? Why
hasn't Stevie obtained a car for _me! After all, I shared the same campus
with him! Better yet, I was in the same classroom with him a few times!
Personally, I know he owes me absolutely nothing. Would you be willing to
trade your freedom to come and go in public without being harassed for your
autograph, pound of flesh and whatever else? Oh yeah! the money would be
great but I don't know about the rest for me. A number of years ago I was
sent to and ear specialist in Lapeer, and somehow the subject of MSB and the
fact that Stevie Wonder had graduated from there was discussed. This really
interested the doctor so upon my next visit I brought my 1969 yearbook so he
could see Stevie there. The guy went nearly nuts for a couple of minutes
and really appreciated me showing me that book and showed it off to some of
his staff. What is it that makes some of us blind folks so critical! Is it
the high rate of unemployment or what? We have someone in our alumni that
few other schools for the blind can claim.
Mark Martin, 73.
