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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi, Maryse:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thanks for your strengthening and affirming response! OK, I have
a question and it's been bugging me all night long so I have to ask, as I think
that my rusty French failed me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Is it Tout le Monde, or is it Toute La Monde? Merci, mon amie!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Peace and Goodness,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Susan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>maryse
figueroa<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 12, 2010 9:59 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Home-on-the-range] From your monitor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Susan,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> Great response and this is exactly the
directtion That I wish the list to take. So, you get an A+.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>In response I say that when everybody has the same the same
goal,the same energy,the same forward movement,the energy builds up to such a
point that each and everyone of us gets filled with that positive energy and
there is nowhere else to go but to the vision. What an incredible space
to live one's life in and it can be applied to our individual's lives.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Thank you so much for your sharing.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Bonsoir Susan<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Maryse Home-ON-The-Range
monitos.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 4:44 PM, Susan Tabor <<a
href="mailto:souljourner@sbcglobal.net">souljourner@sbcglobal.net</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Bonjour, Maryse, et toute la monde!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Thank you, Maryse, for your suggestions
and for sharing your reactions with us. Here I go with mine, and if it's too
long, please forgive me!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>I hadn't attended a convention since the
late 1980's (or was it 1990?), and it felt soooooo good to be back! As our
conventions always seem to do, it got me to thinking---about a lot of things.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>First, there are always options, even if
one has to stretch the envelope! (Blessed is Saint Gumby, as s/he will not
break!) Stretching myself to look outside convention (no pun intended) when
looking at options, moves me into a creative zone where options appear that
otherwise would not have. I'm going to be reminding myself to stretch and flex
my imaginative muscles (physically and mentally, I might add!)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>As I heard Dr. Maurer talk at the
banquet, I realized how much of a beating I had been giving myself emotionally
for not being where I want to be in some areas of my life. It was a reminder to
not push the river; it's not safe nor does it encourage the appreciation of
scenic beauty to careen down life's highway at breakneck speeds! Also in
speeding, I may miss something I'm supposed to notice that's important. So I will
give myself permission to take time to process and to spend my time processing
feelings and information, not beating myself up for processing!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>I also re-experienced in a grander way
(as there were 2,441 other blind people around) the special bond that we as
blind people share. It is always my goal to be compassionate and supportive in
relationships rather than judgmental and critical, as it breathes life into
relationships. I can still state a concern or a preference without being
competitive or critical. So as I observed myself and others interact, this
posture was validated for me; something that is a nice affirmation to receive
now and then. I was especially inspired by Dr. Maurer, Barbara Pierce, Melissa
Riccobono, James Gashel, Mike Hinkson, Donna Wood, Tom Page, Tonya (sorry
Tonya; I don't know your last name), Randy Pfifer, Maryse Figueroa, Leonard amd
Meg Silkey, Diane Hemphill, Andrew Chapman (who I keep wanting to call
Patrick), Sharon Luka, Susie Stanzel, Chikako Mochazuki, Emily (sorry,
Emily; I can't remember your last name either!), Cheryl Miller and of course,
Rob Tabor, the love of my life who lives with all of my good stuff and my
imperfections each and every day!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>And on days when I or someone else feels
tired or surly, which will inevitably happen, knowing that they'll still be
there in spite of it all is very comforting. We are all on this journey
together and we need each other for support and for nudges in the right
direction now and then.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>This kind of affirmation helps remind me
again that it's really OK to dig into my weak areas, because if I allow it,
they will lead me back into my strengths with new knowledge and perspective.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Lately I've been having to deal with
some additional physical challenges, which I haven't liked doing; the journey
has been very difficult and frightening. I discovered, though, that I should be
applying more of my NFB-based blindness coping skills to this situation as well
and no matter whatever happens I'll be OK (I'm working really hard to believe
that!) I plan to have a better handle on it by Orlando's convention next year!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>And to Floyd and Charlie who were our
drivers, I have one thing to say: You guys rock! What troopers! Thanks
for coming along with us and for the good stuff you added to our experience!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Thanks to all who attended; each of you
played a role in making this a wonderful and insightful experience for me! And
for those of you whom I didn't know well, I really appreciated the chance to
know you better! Everyone adds richness to our Kansas NFB family! See all of
you here in Lawrence for the state convention in November!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Peace and Goodness,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Susan</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> <a
href="mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>
[mailto:<a href="mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>maryse figueroa<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 12, 2010 3:13 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Home-on-the-range] From your monitor</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Heello
Federationists.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> As
the monitor of "Home-ON-The Range list", I would like to see
this platform develop in an active exchange of thoughts, ideas, and
discussions. The national convention is a great starting point. For
instance:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>1-
What did going to the convention mean to you<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>2-What
did you learn?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>3-Was
it a life changing experieence?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>4-what
are you bringing back to apply to your life and to help change another's.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>DID
DEEP.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>
Thus, I sart with me. Going to Dallas to attend my first NFB convention
was a life changing experience at many levels.Let me explain. I am
legally blind and fall in the category described, at the banquet ,by Dr. Maurer
as a middle-of-the-road blind. I then realized I never really deep down
accepted this new challenge of 6 yrs. ago. Therefore I desperately tried to
function as a sighted person,only to experience but mediocre results,impatience
and frustration.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>
The convention taught me that I can function as a bi-visual person.(no other
connotation meant!) Yes, I am a bi-vsual person. In other
words,when I need some sight it is there and when I need blindness skills,they
are there. This in essence makes me a confident and competent individual
better able to serve my NFB family and enter a new career with knowledge and
poise.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Thank
you Kansas Federationists for having adopted this new American citizen<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Sincerely<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Maryse<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
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