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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks so much for the update! No apologies necessary. My prayers will be with you. Sincerely, Dale Barta <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Deborah Kendrick via Cinci-nfb<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, September 12, 2018 11:10 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> dkkendrick@earthlink.net; 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'<br><b>Subject:</b> [Cinci-nfb] For those who have asked and others who might want to know<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning all, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As some of you know, the last 20 months has been a time dominated by broken bones and reconstructive surgeries for me. It has also been a time of learning and adventure. I have continued my work with the Library of Congress and many writing commitments, although I am no longer teaching in the iCanConnect program. Most importantly, I have learned how a lifelong practice of finding alternative techniques for accomplishing tasks large and small can be useful experience when faced with an unexpected physical challenge. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Except for six days in April, when I returned to Cincinnati to receive an award and celebrate the longevity of a nonprofit I helped launch long ago, I have been in Florida. My plan was to attend the NFB National convention in Orlando and then return to Cincinnati in July. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regrettably, at the beginning of July, I went overnight from feeling terrific to excruciating pain, from walking shakily with a support cane to barely walking with a walker. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As some of you may know, I had a large leiomyosarcoma (soft tissue tumor) on my left thigh 15 years ago. Extensive radiation and surgery removed the cancer but weakened my femur. A hip replacement two years ago turned out to be more than that poor weakened femur could tolerate and thus began a long siege of fractures and reconstructions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is enough metal in that leg now from the past 20 months of surgeries to open my own junkyard! I have plates, rods, cables, and screws and, oh yes, that prosthetic hip. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unfortunately, that hip has been sliding down my leg, ripping multiple fractures in my overly radiated and craggy femur. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, I am now waiting for word that the surgery of surgeries is about to be performed in Tampa. A custom device is being made for my leg. It is a femur, knee, and partial hip – not sure if I get to choose its color or not!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My instructions while waiting were to continue walking with the walker, putting no weight on my left leg, but remaining as active as possible. Yes, this is a bit of a contradiction, but I am doing my best to comply!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Because I had committed long ago to make a presentation at the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville, I decided to try coming back to Cincinnati. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My presentation was August 25, so I flew here August 23, allowing one full day for rest and recovery!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Since that worked out fairly well, I fulfilled another commitment and flew to San Francisco for a board meeting this past weekend at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My plan at present is to continue working and continue the definitely unfinished job of settling into my Cincinnati apartment. When I get word that the surgery is ready to happen, I will be on the first plane to Florida. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My hope is that that will happen before Halloween, which is why it does not feel safe or prudent for me to plan to attend the NFB Ohio convention. I have been in several environments now in which other blind people, mostly dog guide handlers, have served as my guides and done so admirably! Although I keep a white cane on my walker for identification, it is not possible to use it for safe or serious navigation, since both hands must be on the walker at all times. I can walk, but only very short distances. (Example: walking back and forth between kitchen and living room twice can exhaust me completely!) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At this point, I only go places where I know someone will ensure my safety when I arrive. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A missed curb or step could mean irrevocable damage at this point. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Anyone who wants to come to me, however, is warmly welcomed! Especially if you want to help schlep a box or two from room A to Room B in the settling in process or if you want to play cards or Scrabble! I can’t say I would cook for you, but I do a great job of ordering pizza and Chinese!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Apologies for the length of this message. I have heard from a few people and decided it would be easiest to write an update to everyone at once. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My primary focus at present is on work, reading, and staying as healthy as possible for the upcoming mega surgery. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hugs to all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Deborah<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>513.673.4474<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:dkkendrick@earthlink.net">dkkendrick@earthlink.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>