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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>It is! One person I knew watched me struggle with math once and went, \u201cI thought you guys were all math whizzes!\u201d \u201cNot all of us. I got the word-nerd part of the package.\u201d People don\u2019t realize that one of the ASD symptoms is an uneven skill set\u2014I\u2019m pretty good at grammar and spelling, horrible at math; and the more abstract the math concepts got as I got older, the more tutoring I needed. Now, abstracts in poetry? Absolutely fine! I am glad that more and more autistic writers are setting down the different faces of autism for the general public. Another thing that needs to be addressed is combined autism and blindness\u2014e.g., people always comment, \u201cYour hearing must be more acute\u201d, attributing that to blindness, when they forget to factor in that the vast majority of blind folk are older, possibly with some age-related hearing loss. Years ago, any blind person\u2019s rocking, hand-flapping, eye-poking and other mannerisms were chalked up to the blindness, when some of it (and the mentioned acute hearing) is attributable to autism. The field of combined blindness and autism is still so in its infancy, and needs a whole lot more attention! Well, another thing is, diagnostic criteria have radically changed re autism (sounds like in the past, where low vision wasn\u2019t included in blindness)/ Someone like me who\u2019s bookish and slightly nerdy would not have made the autism category when I was growing up in the 70\u2019s and 80\u2019s, because the diagnostic criteria were very narrow then. I do like the expansion\u2014for those who seek a formal diagnosis, it can enable them to get the supports they need. Anyway, end of soap-box. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Yeah, I\u2019m a quote collector, and especially like this one, too, for its positivity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Sandra<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><u><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>One can never consent to creep, when one feels an impulse to soar.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><u><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>(Helen Keller)<o:p></o:p></span></u></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Deb Reed via CT-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 9, 2025 6:21 PM<br><b>To:</b> ct-nfb@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Deb Reed <deb.reed57@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CT-NFB] Not blind enough<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for sharing Sandra. I\u2019m sure that must be challenging as well to be not autistic enough. Who sets these definitions anyway, makes you wonder. I like the Helen Keller quote in your signature. It is empowering.<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>Deb Reed<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Central CT Chapter President of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Deb.reed57@gmail.com">Deb.reed57@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Cell-860-378-5370<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>\u201cBloom where you are. \u201cFrom mother, Theresa of Calcutta.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On Jun 9, 2025, at 2:20<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>PM, sandra streeter via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>\ufeff</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Although always a \u201ctotal\u201d, which worked for me in some ways (no choice BUT to learn Braille)\u2014I\u2019ve heard horror stories from low-vision people that make the content of this piece understandable. Now, though, I have a personal reason to \u201cget it:--I am just on the tippy-end of the spectrum, as autistic as one can be without being non-autistic\u2014people have to spend time with me before 1, they get that that is going on, and 2, they get why I sometimes make social gaffes, look stuck-up because I\u2019m so withdrawn and not talking, etc; I\u2019m not \u201cautistic enough\u201d.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Sandra</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a name="_Hlk152435195"><u><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>One can never consent to creep, when one feels an impulse to soar.</span></u><o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk152435195'><u><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>(Helen Keller)</span></u></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><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><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>rivalbeth--- via CT-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 9, 2025 9:46 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List' <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:rivalbeth@gmail.com">rivalbeth@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CT-NFB] Not blind enough</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I think we can all relate, thanks </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><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><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Maryanne Melley via CT-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, June 09, 2025 8:38 AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a><br><b>Cc:</b> Maryanne Melley <<a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a>>; <a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CT-NFB] Not blind enough</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I love this! The words are so true.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>President <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:maryanne.melley@gmail.com">maryanne.melley@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>A dream does not become reality through magic: it takes sweat, determination and hard work<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></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>On Jun 9, 2025, at 8:18<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>AM, Mary Silverberg via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>\ufeff</span><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Allison & Deb,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for sharing this one. I love it. How very true.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Mary<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:06<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>\u202f</span>AM Deb Reed via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Happy Monday!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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:<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><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>From Dave Steel, The Blind Poet</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>\u201cHave you ever felt not blind enough?</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>Been told that you don\u2019t look blind?</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>As if the cane you hold\u2019s a prop,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>or truth is something they define.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>They see the way you turn your head,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>how sometimes you still meet a gaze,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>and question all the silent wars</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>you fight inside the dimming haze.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>\u201cYour eyes are clear, you\u2019re looking straight,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>you smiled before you took your seat\u2014</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>you joked, you laughed, you found your way\u2026</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>So blindness? That can\u2019t be complete.\u201d</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>But they don\u2019t see the constant strain,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>the way you memorize each space,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>how shadows steal the world you knew,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>how fog and fear have blurred each face.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>They never feel the stumbles made,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>the silent prayers with every street,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>the noise that swells without a frame,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>the panic dancing in your feet.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>They only see the parts that pass</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>for something they define as \u201csight,\u201d</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>not knowing how it shifts and fades</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>from morning glow to black of night.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>And so you\u2019re caught between two truths\u2014</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>not fully seen, not fully gone\u2014</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>you wear your courage quietly</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>while strangers tell you to \u201cstay strong.\u201d</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>But strength is found in every step</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>where darkness walks beside your day,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>in every time you hold that cane</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>though pride or doubt gets in the way.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>So if you\u2019ve heard, \u201cYou don\u2019t look blind,\u201d</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>or felt like you don\u2019t quite belong,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>know that your truth is yours alone,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>and living it is being strong.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>You don\u2019t owe proof to anyone\u2014</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>your story\u2019s written in your stride.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>There\u2019s more to vision than the eyes,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>and more to blindness than what\u2019s spied.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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'><b><span style='font-family:"system-ui",serif'>#TheBlindPoet\u201d </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;font-variant-caps:normal;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-family:"system-ui",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>Deb Reed<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Central CT Chapter President of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Deb.reed57@gmail.com" target="_blank">Deb.reed57@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Cell-860-378-5370<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>\u201cBloom where you are. \u201cFrom mother, Theresa of Calcutta.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>CT-NFB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/marysilverfox%40gmail.com" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/marysilverfox%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>CT-NFB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/maryanne.melley%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/maryanne.melley%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>CT-NFB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/deb.reed57%40gmail.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/deb.reed57%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></body></html>