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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Darian,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for sharing the link with everyone who’s on the list. I like Dr. Jernigan’s responses from the letters he received. I think the teens who wrote to him brought up to valid points to him. Back in the day we are often told to use our white canes and guide dogs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I can remember that as a childen/teenagers, adults working with blind youth seemed to put a strong emphasis on using canes; no sighted guides. In fact, just a few years ago, I believe that someone was douting my independence. Now, how can I not be independent if I use electronic means to pay my bills. How can I not be independent if I am using a cane to get around.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I thank you for sharing the link with us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Community-Service <community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Darian Smith via Community-Service<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 29, 2020 3:45 PMe<br><b>To:</b> Community Service Discussion List <community-service@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Darian Smith <dsmithnfb@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [Community-Service] The Nature of Independencemed to emphasiszed independence. This meant using a cane; no sighted guide.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> I wanted to share with you all one of my favorite banquet speeches.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> The title is “The Nature of Independence”.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> The reason why I personally enjoy this speech is because it articulates something that I find that we all struggle with as blind people. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>It first articulates the questions of just what is independence? And it, I think successfully answers that question as well.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> The speech thoughtfully approaches, discusses and answers a complicated question, something I hope we can do here within this discussion thread.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> In my opinion, I think, no matter how long you have been a member of the federation, it is a good idea to read this speech, then reread it every once in a while. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> I look forward to your thoughts and opinions.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> Best,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> Darian <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;color:inherit;padding:inherit;margin:inherit'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/addres93.htm">https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/addres93.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>