Kevin:
    You keep doing what you do.  Don't be discouraged.  In you life you have 
had many discouragements but have overcome them. You will this.  You enhance 
the bird watching community and are and inspiration to all of us who know 
you.

Ben Poscover and Ben Poscover II
Towson Maryland


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevin Graff" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 12:35 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] May I have your attention


> Hi all,
>
>
>   It's come to my attention that I may no longer be a
> birdwatcher after getting three harsh emails from
> several birders about me seeing a Mew Gull and other
> rare birds.  I may decide to quit from birdwatching
> after 17 years and 1 week. But not right away, as I
> have couple of bird clubs trips to lead later this
> spring.   I had enough of abuse over the years from
> emails.   I actually saw a Mew Gull  "Common race".
> The reason I say American race, because I don;t want
> anymore harsh emails.
>
>
>   Couple of you was telling me from emails that I
> should have someone backed me up on any trips I go to.
> Well I tried that for years. I asked anyone I know to
> join me for birding out of town and they didn't want
> to go with me. Only person ever came with me was Stan
> Arnold assisting me during my Horsehead Wetlands
> Center Breeding Bird Atlasing.
>   Other things they mention on emails that I should
> call someone right away if I saw something rare, well
> I cannot. Because most of you know that I'm hearing
> impaired and rarely I can hear clear voice on cell
> phone. I always have my old, out-of-date cell phone
> (no emails, no voice mail, nothing on it) with me.
> I'm having hard time picking out a right cell phone so
> I can email Matt Hafner or Bob Ringler on their cell
> phone with message to alert them if I got something at
> the time.   And I cannot afford to get a good digital
> camera like Mark Hoffman has.
>
> I feel like I'm no longer wanted around.
>
> My life is never easy being deaf and difficult time in
> school, been failing school for twenty years due to
> lack of help from teachers and learning disorder. But
> I have talent having good eyes for counting large # of
> birds, and id's too.
>
> Why would some of you abuse me for years?   I'm trying
> to be like you, birders.
>
> If you want me to stick around, reply offlist!!!
>
>
>      Kevin Graff
>      Jarrettsville, MD & Ocean City, MD
>      
>
>
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