<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">I love this! The words are so true.<div><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Best regards,<div><br></div><div>Maryanne Melley<div>President </div><div>National Federation of</div><div>the Blind of Connecticut</div><div>860-212-5549</div><div>maryanne.melley@gmail.com</div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A dream does not become reality through magic: it takes sweat, determination and hard work</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Jun 9, 2025, at 8:18\u202fAM, Mary Silverberg via CT-NFB <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff<div dir="ltr">Allison & Deb,<div>Thank you for sharing this one. I love it. How very true.</div><div>Mary<br><div> </div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:06\u202fAM Deb Reed via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto"><div>Happy Monday!</div><div>Recently, one of our affiliate members, Allison Arbuckle, shared this poem with me. It is an experience that many of us with residual site in our journey of blindness have experienced. Here is the poem she shared:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">From Dave Steel, The Blind Poet</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">\u201cHave you ever felt not blind enough?</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">Been told that you don\u2019t look blind?</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">As if the cane you hold\u2019s a prop,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">or truth is something they define.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">They see the way you turn your head,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">how sometimes you still meet a gaze,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">and question all the silent wars</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">you fight inside the dimming haze.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">\u201cYour eyes are clear, you\u2019re looking straight,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">you smiled before you took your seat\u2014</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">you joked, you laughed, you found your way\u2026</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">So blindness? That can\u2019t be complete.\u201d</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">But they don\u2019t see the constant strain,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">the way you memorize each space,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">how shadows steal the world you knew,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">how fog and fear have blurred each face.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">They never feel the stumbles made,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">the silent prayers with every street,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">the noise that swells without a frame,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">the panic dancing in your feet.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">They only see the parts that pass</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">for something they define as \u201csight,\u201d</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">not knowing how it shifts and fades</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">from morning glow to black of night.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">And so you\u2019re caught between two truths\u2014</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">not fully seen, not fully gone\u2014</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">you wear your courage quietly</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">while strangers tell you to \u201cstay strong.\u201d</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">But strength is found in every step</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">where darkness walks beside your day,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">in every time you hold that cane</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">though pride or doubt gets in the way.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">So if you\u2019ve heard, \u201cYou don\u2019t look blind,\u201d</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">or felt like you don\u2019t quite belong,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">know that your truth is yours alone,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">and living it is being strong.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:39.4px"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span><br></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">You don\u2019t owe proof to anyone\u2014</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">your story\u2019s written in your stride.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">There\u2019s more to vision than the eyes,</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">and more to blindness than what\u2019s spied.</span></p>
<p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold">#TheBlindPoet\u201d </span></p><p style="margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:system-ui;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-weight:bold"><br></span></p></div><div><div dir="ltr"><div>Sincerely,</div><div><br></div>Deb Reed<div><br></div><div>Central CT Chapter President of the National Federation of the Blind</div><div><a href="mailto:Deb.reed57@gmail.com" target="_blank">Deb.reed57@gmail.com</a></div><div>Cell-860-378-5370</div><div><br></div><div>\u201cBloom where you are. \u201cFrom mother, Theresa of Calcutta.</div><div><br></div></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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