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<DIV>Donna is a talented writer and crafter. She has taught a class for
the NFB Krafters Division over on Krafters Korner last year.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10">Joyce
Kane<BR><A
href="http://www.krafterskorner.org/">www.KraftersKorner.org</A><BR>Blindhands@AOL.com
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 2/16/2014 9:02:46 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
erival@comcast.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> Donna W. Hill
[mailto:dwhill@epix.net] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 13, 2014 1:27
PM<BR><B>To:</B> erival@comcast.net<BR><B>Subject:</B> Complimentary new
resource for you & the NFB of
Connecticut<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal>Dear Elizabeth,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>In your work as President of the NFB of Connecticut, I'm
sure you're well aware of the challenges faced by students, their families and
teachers, as they struggle with the many issues surrounding vision loss. Of
all of these challenges, the most difficult are the beliefs of the general
public. Low expectations and misunderstandings are the greatest barrier to
full inclusion of students with visual impairments into their natural
communities. Raising the awareness of the general public is both crucial and
difficult, as the myths can be held by family members, professionals and often
blind people themselves. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I am a blind writer from Pennsylvania, and worked for five
years as a volunteer publicist for the NFB, placing articles about NFB
scholarship recipients, Braille Readers are Leaders participants and Writers'
Division Youth Braille Contest winners in newspapers and other media
throughout the country. I also wrote articles about blindness issues for
online magazines, and my 2009 Braille Literacy series for the <I>American
Chronicle, which has been widely republished, </I>remains the most extensive
series on this topic written for general audiences. The <I>Braille
Monitor</I>, which has published several of my articles, included the article
"Federationists Speaks to Education Majors" in its April, 2013 issue under
Monitor Miniatures:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P
class=MsoNormal>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm13/bm1304/bm1304.htm<BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I'm writing to introduce you to a new tool which can help
bridge the social gap and facilitate a dialog on blindness issues. <I>The
Heart of Applebutter Hill</I> is a novel that allows teens with visual
impairments to see themselves in an exciting adventure that could have
happened to anyone. It also tackles some of the social issues they experience.
I'd like you to have an electronic copy of it<I>.</I><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>The heroine of <I>The Heart of Applebutter Hill</I> is a
14-year-old, shy songwriter, who is losing her sight. Abigail has a guide dog
named Curly Connor, and she is just starting to learn about Braille and
assistive technology. The reader witnesses her struggles and triumphs as the
story unfolds. I hope you will find it to be an enjoyable and useful
consciousness-raising and motivational tool for students and their families,
and that you will recommend it to others. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><I><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>An introduction to <I>The Heart of Applebutter Hill</I> for
educators was written by Illinois College of Optometry Clinical
Professor and Chicago Lighthouse optometrist/low-vision specialist Dr. Karen
Squier. It has also received recommendations from professionals in the fields
of education, rehabilitation and the arts as a classroom resource for
diversity-inclusivity and anti-bullying initiatives in middle school through
college. You may recognize some of them, including <I>Future Reflections</I>
editor Deborah Kent Stein and LCB Braille instructor Jerry Whittle. Their
comments are at:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://donnawhill.com/recommenders-of-the-heart-of-applebutter-hill/
href="http://donnawhill.com/recommenders-of-the-heart-of-applebutter-hill/">http://donnawhill.com/recommenders-of-the-heart-of-applebutter-hill/</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Fiction is a safe and highly personal way of introducing
readers to the struggles and capabilities of people with vision loss. My goal
was to write an engaging story that would appeal to a broad range of
interests, in which some characters have visual impairments and other
differences.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><I>The Heart of Applebutter Hill</I> is an
adventure-mystery with excursions into fantasy for general audiences. It
follows two 14-year-old refugees as they make their way in a new land and deal
with the consequences of discovering a dangerous secret. The fantasy portion
is based on a passage from C.S. Lewis's <I>The Chronicles of Narnia</I>.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>If you would like a copy, send me the name of your e-book
reader or the file type you prefer, and I will e-mail it to you as an
attachment. Available file types include: .mobi (Kindle), .epub (Nook, Apple,
Sony, Kobo, etc.), .lrf (older Sony readers), .pdb (Palm Pilot), .pdf &
.rtf (for use on computers).<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Below my contact information, you will find information
about recent articles, online availability, accessible versions and an author
bio.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Sincerely, <BR>Donna W. Hill<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>570-833-2708<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A title=http://donnawhill.com/
href="http://donnawhill.com/">http://DonnaWHill.com</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A title=mailto:dwhill@epix.net
href="mailto:dwhill@epix.net">dwhill@epix.net</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<H1
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 24.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Recent Articles about
The Heart of Applebutter Hill<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>12/19/13 <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Wilkes-Barre <I>Times-Leader</I><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>"The biggest project of my life" by MARY THERESE BIEBEL
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://timesleader.com/news/features/1050744/The-biggest-project-of-my-life
href="http://timesleader.com/news/features/1050744/The-biggest-project-of-my-life">http://timesleader.com/news/features/1050744/The-biggest-project-of-my-life</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>1/1/14<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><I>Wyoming County Press Examiner <o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>"Meshoppen Author Pens Mystery Novel" by Michael
Wintermute<BR><A title=http://wcexaminer.com/?p=39493
href="http://wcexaminer.com/?p=39493">http://wcexaminer.com/?p=39493</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<H1
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 24.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Author Bio
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Donna W. Hill is a writer, speaker and avid knitter from
Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains. A songwriter with three albums, she is the
author of <I>The Heart of Applebutter Hill</I>, an adventure-mystery with
excursions into fantasy for general audiences. It follows two 14-year-old
friends as they make their way in a new country and struggle with the
consequences of learning a dangerous secret. Recommended by professionals as a
diversity-inclusivity-anti-bullying classroom resource, it is available in
print through Amazon, on all major e-book outlets and in accessible versions
on Bookshare.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>From 2009 through 2013, Hill was an online journalist for
numerous publications, covering topics ranging from nature, health care and
accessibility issues to music, knitting and chocolate. Her essay, "Satori
Green" appears in Richard Singer's <I>Now, Embracing the Present Moment</I>
(2010, O-Books), and her breast-cancer-survivor story is in Dawn Colclasure’s
<I>On the Wings of Pink Angels</I> (2012). <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Hill, who was born legally blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa,
was the first blind child mainstreamed in the Easton Area School District in
Pennsylvania. Her memoir, "Special Class: a journey in mainstreaming" was
selected for <I>Behind Our Eyes: a second look,</I> an anthology of stories,
poetry and memoirs by writers with disabilities: <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Our-Eyes-Second-Look/dp/1490304479/
href="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Our-Eyes-Second-Look/dp/1490304479/">http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Our-Eyes-Second-Look/dp/1490304479/</A><o:p></o:p></P><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all></SPAN>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Hill is an experienced talk show guest and guest blogger.
Before moving to the mountains, she provided educational and motivational
programs in the Greater Philadelphia area for fifteen years. She presents
workshops about <I>The Heart of Applebutter Hill</I>, creative writing and
blindness issues for school, university, community and business
groups.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A title=http://donnawhill.com/
href="http://donnawhill.com/">http://DonnaWHill.com</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<H1
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 24.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Purchase The Heart of
Applebutter Hill <o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<H2
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 10.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">Print
Versions<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal
align=center>Amazon:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><A
title=http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1483948226
href="http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1483948226">http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/1483948226</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal
align=center><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center>CreateSpace eStore:
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><A
title=https://www.createspace.com/4000964
href="https://www.createspace.com/4000964">https://www.createspace.com/4000964</A>
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class=MsoNormal align=center><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<H2
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 10.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">Electronic Versions
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P class=MsoNormal>Kindle:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A title=http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNG6DDM
href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNG6DDM">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CNG6DDM</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Nook Book:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-donna-w-hill/1115426305?ean=2940016415000&itm=1&usri=2940016415000
href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-donna-w-hill/1115426305?ean=2940016415000&itm=1&usri=2940016415000">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-of-applebutter-hill-donna-w-hill/1115426305?ean=2940016415000&itm=1&usri=2940016415000</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Kobo eBooks:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/The-Heart-of-Applebutter-Hill/XSjHDXv6zE-kw8nRWgXEMw
href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/The-Heart-of-Applebutter-Hill/XSjHDXv6zE-kw8nRWgXEMw">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/The-Heart-of-Applebutter-Hill/XSjHDXv6zE-kw8nRWgXEMw</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Smashwords (7e-book versions):<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A
title=http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313071?ref=DonnaWHill
href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313071?ref=DonnaWHill">http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/313071?ref=DonnaWHill</A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<H2
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: 10.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Cambria','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">Accessible Versions
for Readers with Print Disabilities<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H2>
<P class=MsoNormal>Bookshare:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><A title=http://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/639304
href="http://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/639304">http://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/639304</A><o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Ct-nfb
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