<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr"><br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Stefanie Parris</b> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:sparris@cocenter.org">sparris@cocenter.org</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 7:02\u202fAM<br>Subject: Celebrate our programs for Older Blind Coloradans!<br>To: <<a href="mailto:burke.dall@gmail.com">burke.dall@gmail.com</a>><br></div><br><br>
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<b>Colorado Center for the Blind</b>
<p><i>Take Charge with Confidence and Self-Reliance</i></p>
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<p>George loves the freedom of getting out and independently exploring. It\u2019s the kind of thing he imagined for his retirement, but after losing his vision, he thought he might never do it again.</p>
<p>Indeed, when George came for his first lesson with Stefanie in our Older Blind program, he was so uncertain about nonvisual traveling that he took her arm just to walk back to her office. </p>
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<td style="padding:0"><img alt="One woman leans slightly toward the other, putting her hands over the older woman's, which are gripping a white cane." src="https://cocenter.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/Stefanie%20demonstrates%20correct%20white%20cane%20grip_%20student%20tactilely%20confirms%20method.jpg" style="display:block;width:100%;height:auto;padding:10px 10px 0 10px"></td>
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<div style="font-style:italic;color:#555;font-size:0.8em;line-height:1.3">Stefanie works with a Taking Charge student in 2024, placing her hands over the student\u2019s hands to confirm proper grip \u2013 the very first lesson of cane travel.</div>
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<p>It took time and commitment from both of them, but that changed. Lesson by lesson, step by step, small successes building the foundation for future successes, George grew in cane skills and confidence.</p>
<p>\u201cA pivotal moment for George came after a medical appointment,\u201d says Stefanie. \u201cInstead of calling for a ride home as he would have in the past, he located the nearest bus stop and took the bus on his own. On the way, he even stopped at a store to pick up a few items\u2014navigating the route, the environment, and the return trip independently. He was so proud when he told me the story the next time I saw him. We had a celebration!</p>
<p>We believe in blind people, and we pass that belief on to the people we serve, like George. It takes a combination of practical, nonvisual skills and an examination of how we feel about our blindness and the limiting assumptions that blindness equals incapacity.\u201d We believe blind people like George can do anything, and that his blindness doesn\u2019t have to hold him back from living the life he wants. It\u2019s working \u2013 George is doing just that!
</p><p>Now, doesn\u2019t that call for a celebration?</p>
<p>Colorado Gives Day is December 9, but <a href="https://u23754554.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.lofmFcFAaz0i6x0AMaUD1kyj28Irr7g5AeKS5EYd0i6ezCM8gWQHye3JeY9zZuzWMWbMVza-2Fty09vKdPzwYDsvP1TgJQ2RrmdB-2FV3MHB-2FuY-3DZIGC_yChoAUWYVun8-2FG8FI0mZlUxmtuJ12MN8PJMjSK4QS7fk5CusFUcAE771vjAELiiX6X-2FzeXf-2FYieMInM1joCAabT-2FN9CfPj-2FXMucHijEZ30hdH76OMdeEo1adm2-2BxbnLW8UWH3ucK-2Frsg9B8dgmz7-2FxKzI05MA2CRoAI6Nxi5NGPk2Z3HuFUZgMPSshilhPDH6SUabQvlV-2FhRVejIldP2nGN434zXpoiwq8IcBCobRXTse44UpNuOXBRacHC7VmlR-2BFsv92E7c2HXpjFqKVgL5wykMIEatZ3kFS2bcz6VvCs-3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">you can give early to celebrate our Older Blind Program</a>!</p>
<p><a href="https://u23754554.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.lofmFcFAaz0i6x0AMaUD1kyj28Irr7g5AeKS5EYd0i6ezCM8gWQHye3JeY9zZuzWMWbMVza-2Fty09vKdPzwYDsvP1TgJQ2RrmdB-2FV3MHB-2FuY-3DpSp7_yChoAUWYVun8-2FG8FI0mZlUxmtuJ12MN8PJMjSK4QS7fk5CusFUcAE771vjAELiiX6X-2FzeXf-2FYieMInM1joCAabT-2FN9CfPj-2FXMucHijEZ30hdH76OMdeEo1adm2-2BxbnLW8UWH3ucK-2Frsg9B8dgmz7-2F1YtKL5ArJADGHPm7pUk4siAbS3-2BWO232gIDnoV67NRzTs-2FEPZMhqdFkGb58q6jk3wfOGEYR0g6alzPk3ZJYMR5E06mOXZMlULOq2xNZxV3-2F4myOd3M-2BIvlOP3VSVXf3Q1m5yu1qOYup7rVrNrfcIEg-3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Colorado Gives Logo" src="https://cocenter.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/CGD-HZ-Evergreen.jpg" style="display:block;width:80%;max-width:80%;margin:0px auto 10px;padding:10px"></a></p>
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The Colorado Center for the Blind is a training center and
community of blind and low vision people, proudly affiliated
with the National Federation of the Blind.
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We believe blind people can do anything. Every day, we
encourage and challenge each student\u2014and they come to
understand their potential as they build the skills and
confidence to live the life they want. Because when you
believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of
positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from
pursuing your dreams.
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<b>Phone: </b>(303) 778 1130<br>
<div><span><span>2233 West Shepperd Ave</span><br><span>Littleton</span>, <span>Colorado</span> <span>80120</span><br><span>United States</span></span></div><br>
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<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://cocenter.org/civicrm/mailing/open?qid=338622" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://u23754554.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/open?upn=u001.fhIxURA-2BX3JnxVNeCLu9SuFF0l3NbF3HGrmf-2FizequXc8FkBxynAWFUb8CBxHka7TdhgQ8XJ4SbZH-2FSKw-2FWkVOW8yuVTgkOJJy6NbIEK4F9g0DbjoNUYwWB2U8JERidcG51LcQOfURVQehjWObwLtN-2F8-2BmCk3TYIklPX4kFpkf-2FPh7XWM6sDG1LuOLvbsmEUX0Rp-2Fl8JfvGY8gsUKU03QH-2B5VutnA56pQyM6PJs3Bo-2BGVWVorn76-2Bxi8ZvUSMBssDn9lyK4UHfUSDfiMk14u7GlBuV-2BAbRUQK2EHDcsC8D4-3D" /></div><div><br clear="all"></div><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Dan Burke<br><br>National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair <br><br>"Blindness is not what holds you back. You can live the life you want!"<br><br>My Cell: 406.546.8546<br><br></div></div>