QUE PASA
Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
August 2020
Member Spotlight: German Benitez
By Gabriella Smith
German Benitez has been a member of the NFB since 1997. He started in the student division, attended an NFB national convention, and found his home in the NFB philosophy. German is now the president of the West Mesa Chapter and says he enjoys it. Like everything else, he says, it comes with both rewards and challenges. He was elected in April, and he says he is still learning the ins and outs of the position. His favorite part about being president is getting to learn from previous presidents and the other members of the chapter.
German is also the West Mesa Chapter’s fundraising chair. He enjoys selling things, but it can be difficult balancing that with being president. German says he is thankful for his good fundraising team, so it’s not just him making decisions. He says his favorite part about being fundraising chair is getting to decide how the chapter will raise money, and he gets to hear ideas from everyone in the fundraising committee.
German was born in Mexico and grew up in Texas. He lost his sight due to a high fever when he was seven. He didn’t know any other blind people until he was 14, and he didn’t know about the NFB until he moved to New Mexico in 1997. His hobbies include reading, talking on the phone, and going on walks. German hopes one day to be able to work for either Humanware or Hims providing tech support.