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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Bonjour, Maryse, et toute la monde!<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'>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!<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'>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.<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'>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!)<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'>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!<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'>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!<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'>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.<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'>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.<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'>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!<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'>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!<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 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!<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>
<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 3:13 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [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>Heello Federationists.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> 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>1- What did going to the convention mean to you<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>2-What did you learn?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>3-Was it a life changing experieence?<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>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>DID DEEP.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> 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> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> 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>Thank you Kansas Federationists for having adopted this new
American citizen<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Maryse<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
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