<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Dear Connecticut Affiliate Members:</span></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><br></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;">I hope this message finds you and your families well.</div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><br></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;">In order to bring a bit of positivity and creativity into what is most likely a dreary spring for many of us, the next issue of the Federationist will focus on journeys to blindness. <span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">What was it like to grow up as a blind individual? </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Did</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> you lose your sight later in life? </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">What</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> did the adjustment process look like for you? </span>What trials, tribulations, lessons, and achievements did you experience? Blindness is rarely glamorous; share your story, the good and the bad.</div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br></span></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Please submit individual written or recorded stories to </span><span class="s5" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; color: rgb(5, 99, 193);"><a href="mailto:carne23m@mtholyoke.edu">carne23m@mtholyoke.edu</a>. </span>If you would feel more comfortable having someone else write your story, or if you need technology assistance, please call me at 860-391-9319. Everyone should have the chance to participate.</div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><br></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;">I look forward to reading your stories; and sharing my own.</div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;"><br></div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;">All the best,</div><div class="s3" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; text-indent: -18px; margin-left: 36px; font-size: 18px;">Melissa</div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px; font-size: 18px;"><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span></p></div></body></html>