[Cinci-nfb] News about me and news about you

[Elif Emir Öksüz]

Hi Deborah,
it is nice to hear good news about you.
Thanks for updating us.
That will be nice to see you back in the September meeting. We will be
meeting on 23, not on 29; as far as I can remember.
For the T-shirts, I think waiting for the september meeting will lead
us to miss a great sale opportunity which will be the White cane walk
in downtown.
In my oppinion we need to resolve this sooner, so we can put the order
to be ready for the October event.


On 9/3/17, Dale Barta via Cinci-nfb <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dear Deborah: Thank you so much for the (official) update. Sincerely, Dale
> Barta
>
>
>
> From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah
> Kendrick via Cinci-nfb
> Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2017 2:03 PM
> To: cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Deborah Kendrick
> Subject: [Cinci-nfb] News about me and news about you
>
>
>
> Hello Cincinnati NFB,
>
> First, I regret not being with you at the bake sale today, which I feel
> confident is succeeding brilliantly.
>
> Secondly, I have several updates and bits of information to share, so am
> writing you all this letter!
>
> Nine months ago today, my world turned upside down. I was standing in my
> bathroom when a sudden blow to my left thigh threw me instantly to the
> floor. Not sure if I'd had an electric shock or a blow from a ten-pound
> boulder, I dragged myself to the next room to call 911.
>
> After three weeks in hospital, I flew to Florida. My intention was to spend
> Christmas with family, help my daughter with her newborn twins, and come
> back to Ohio in January.
>
> As it turned out, I was in no shape to help her, her babies, or even
> myself.
>
> Soon after Christmas, I developed a terrible case of bronchitis and
> pneumonia.  The pain in my leg was horrific, but I thought maybe it was
> caused by fever or maybe it was just what was to be expected after the
> surgery I had had.
>
> It turned out that my emergency surgery had failed and I was in worse peril
> than ever. What followed was: More surgery. More hospitals. Tons of therapy
> and seven months in a wheelchair.
>
> I have learned much in these nine months. Mostly, lessons have focused on
> gratitude -- gratitude for life itself and for simple kindnesses from
> others.
>
> What have I been doing all this time in the sunshine state?
>
> Well, besides having surgeries, rehabilitation, learning to use a
> wheelchair, then a walker, then a support cane, and to teach muscles that
> weren't allowed to move for seven months how to fire up again, it has
> seemed
> that I have been very busy.
>
> I have continued to work.  My work for NLS Tech Support was never
> interrupted, not even while in hospital. With a laptop and a phone, much
> work can be done from anywhere - even a hospital bed!
>
> The same is true of writing, although I did very little of that from
> December through April, and picked up again with improved energy in May.
>
> In July, because of the friendship and pep talk from a longtime Chicago
> Federationist, I wound up going, at the last minute, to the NFB convention
> in Orlando. I was only there for two days, but while there, I spent
> treasured moments with Barbara and Bob Pierce, Eric and Lucas Duffy, and
> others. An hour in the xhibit hall was like coming home!
>
> My understanding is that an inaccurate report circulated after this that my
> medical situation was declining.  This could not be further from reality.
> I
> am, essentially, a super healthy person with a very compromised leg and
> hip.
> I will continue to be in physical therapy for some time and still walk very
> slowly and carefully, but the convention was my last week of using the
> wheelchair.
>
> Throughout my time here, many Cincinnati chapter members have been in my
> thoughts..
>
> Lisa Hall carried forward, conducting most meetings from January through
> August.
>
> Judy Rudig called me on a frequent and regular basis, calls I came to
> treasure more than I can say.
>
> Christopher Sabine kept in touch on a regular basis, not only with chapter
> business and getting approval of minutes, but also with personal concerns
> such as helping me look for a new apartment and offering to reach out to
> NFB
> members in Florida.
>
> Paul Dressell continues to be my favorite computer student!
>
> I am writing this today because I am finally returning to Cincinnati in the
> very near future.
>
> I have found an apartment in Hyde Park and will move in in September.
>
> I am actually coming this week, in order to attend a baby shower for my
> daughter, Caitlyn, who is currently in the area, working the Renaissance
> Fair north of Cincinnati.  My apartment will not be ready for me to move in
> until September 15.
>
> I will need tons of help getting sorted out and settled!
>
> So, that is a summary of what is going on with me.  Now, here are some
> comments regarding upcoming chapter events.
>
> First, I am thrilled to learn that Sheri and Walter are moving forward with
> our White Cane Walk.  As you know, the project has been "my baby" so to
> speak for a decade now, and I am truly happy that it is going to happen.
> My
> hope is that, after ten years, it will be easy to reproduce.  I will not be
> able to attend, but will be pouring all positive thought into visions of
> sunshine and scores of walkers!
>
> Next, I will, however, be in attendance and presiding at our next chapter
> meeting September 29, at the Washington Platform.
>
> Finally, I have seen a few comments and received some information about a
> t-shirt that is under consideration to represent eh chapter. I know I am
> pointing out the obvious here, but feel it my duty to say that such a
> project absolutely cannot occur without the image being sanctioned by NFB
> leadership. Our national staff have put loads of time and treasure into
> branding. We have words and images designed to represent us across the
> nation and we cannot develop our own without approval.
>
> We can talk about all of the above at the September meeting.  Let me remind
> you  that, as a very few of you have recognized, I have been only a phone
> call or text message away whether in a hospital, rehabilitation facility,
> or
> my Florida home. I know you all have busy lives,
>
>