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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi Everyone,<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'>That is a wonderful article. Dianne, thank you for sharing it.
You always send such thoughtful items.<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'>Susie<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>
<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
[mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Rob Tabor via
Home-on-the-Range<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, September 29, 2017 10:20 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Rob Tabor<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Home-on-the-range] Fwd: NFBNJ-Seniors] 5 Things Natalie
Bebler Wishes People Understood About Being Legally Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Very fascinating article, lots of interesting insights.
Dianne, thanks for sharing.<br>
Be well and stay well,<br>
Rob<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
On Sep 29, 2017, at 9:18 AM, Dianne Hemphill via Home-on-the-Range <<a
href="mailto:home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org">home-on-the-range@nfbnet.org</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>FYI - this is a thoughtful explanation of total and partial
blindness. Dianne<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>From:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>nancy
Lynn via NFBNJ-Seniors <<a href="mailto:nfbnj-seniors@nfbnet.org">nfbnj-seniors@nfbnet.org</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Subject:
NFBNJ-Seniors] 5 Things Natalie Bebler Wishes People Understood About Being
Legally Blind</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Date:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>September
28, 2017 1:33:54 PM CDT</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>To:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>"mcb
chat" <<a href="mailto:chat@moblind.org">chat@moblind.org</a>>,
"nfbmo list" <<a href="mailto:nfbmo@nfbnet.org">nfbmo@nfbnet.org</a>>,
"NFBC List" <<a href="mailto:nfbc-info@nfbnet.org">nfbc-info@nfbnet.org</a>>,
"Seniors" <<a href="mailto:NFBNJ-Seniors@nfbnet.org">NFBNJ-Seniors@nfbnet.org</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Cc:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>nancy
Lynn <<a href="mailto:seabreeze.stl@gmail.com">seabreeze.stl@gmail.com</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>Reply-To:
</span></b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'>NFB
of New Jersey Seniors Division Mailing List <<a
href="mailto:nfbnj-seniors@nfbnet.org">nfbnj-seniors@nfbnet.org</a>></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br>
<span class=apple-style-span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I
got this from a friend and am passing it along to promote understanding between
the totally and partially blind.</span><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<h1 style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;background:white;background-image:
initial;background-attachment:initial;background-origin: initial;background-clip: initial;
background-position:initial initial;background-repeat:initial initial'><span
style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black;font-weight:normal'>5
Things I Wish People Understood About Being Legally Blind<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellpadding=0 style='background:white;
border:solid #DDDDDD 1.0pt;background-image:initial;background-attachment:
initial;background-origin: initial;background-clip: initial;background-position:
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt'><span class=author5><span
style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#222222'><a
href="https://themighty.com/author/natasha-baebler/" target="_self"><span
class=p-name><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#2D3E53;text-decoration:
none'>Natasha Baebler</span></span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Contributor • 9 followers</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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border-right-color:initial;border-bottom-color:initial;border-left-color:
initial'>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:middle'><span
class=regular5><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:#20BD98'><a href="javascript:;"><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>Following</span><span class=apple-converted-space><span
style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:none'> </span></span><span
style='font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol","sans-serif";color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>✓</span><span class=hovering5><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>Unfollow</span></span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
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style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#222222'><a
href="https://themighty.com/blindness/"
title="See all Stories about Blindness"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Blindness</span></a></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#222222'>533 followers</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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border-right-color:initial;border-bottom-color:initial;border-left-color:
initial'>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:middle'><span
class=regular5><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:#20BD98'><a href="javascript:;"><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>Following</span><span class=apple-converted-space><span
style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:none'> </span></span><span
style='font-family:"Segoe UI Symbol","sans-serif";color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>✓</span><span class=hovering5><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>Unfollow</span></span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt;background:white'><span
class=count6><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"arimo","serif";
color:#20BD98'><a href="javascript:;"><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>1K</span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"arimo","serif";color:#444444'><a href="javascript:;"><span
class=apple-converted-space><span style='color:#0563C1'> </span></span><span
class=count7><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Roboto","serif";
color:black;text-decoration:none'>0</span></span></a></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:16.5pt;
background:white'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"arimo","serif";
color:#444444'>
<hr size=1 width="100%" align=center>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>When
you encounter me going about my daily life, you probably notice two things
right a way. I’m either traveling with the help of a canine or using a long
white cane — and I can see.</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>I
don’t fit most people’s image of a blind person. I look at things.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>There
are numerous terms to describe those of us who live between the worlds of the
fully sighted and totally blind: low vision, visually impaired, legally blind
and partially sighted.</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Some
who are partially sighted identify with the blind community. Others do not.
Like our amount of residual sight, most of us are somewhere in between. We live
in a gray area. It’s a confusing, ever-changing place where people can see some
things, but not others. While what each of us can see can vary, we all have
some things we’d like you to know:</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>1.</span></b></span><span
class=apple-converted-space><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:#444444'> </span></b></span><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'><a
href="https://themighty.com/category/general/blindness/" target="_blank"
title="View more Blindness stories"><span style='color:#20BD98;text-decoration:
none'>Blindness</span></a></span></b></span><span class=apple-converted-space><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'> </span></b></span><span
class=s1><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:#444444'>doesn’t always mean total darkness.</span></b></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Only
about</span></span><span class=apple-converted-space><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'> </span></span><span
class=s1><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";
color:#444444'><a
href="http://www.visionaware.org/info/your-eye-condition/eye-health/low-vision/low-vision-terms-and-descriptions/1235"
target="_blank"><span style='color:#0563C1'>15 percent of people who have a
blindness diagnosis have no light perception</span></a>, according to
VisionAware. Most of us see something even if it’s just being able to tell the
difference between light and dark. There are two types of impaired vision:
acuity (how clear things are) and field of vision (how much of an environment
you see at once without moving your eyes or head). Individuals can be legally
blind based on either or both of these factors.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>For
most of my years growing up, I was legally blind due to severely restricted
fields. Technically, my field of vision is less than 2 degrees. That’s roughly
the size of a pinprick. If I could find it, I could see it. That meant I could
read street signs, but I’d probably fall down a curb.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Now
my acuity has also fallen into the legally blind territory. Because of my
severely restricted field of vision, it’s difficult to even obtain an acuity
reading. When I look at the big “E” on an eye doctor’s chart, I don’t see the
whole letter at the same time. On a good day, I can put the puzzle together and
see that it’s actually an “E.” On a bad day, I can see there’s something there,
but I couldn’t tell you if it was a letter or lamppost. Most of the time, we
settle and say my acuity is worse than 20/200 and call it a day.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt;background:white'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"arimo","serif";color:#444444'><image001.jpg>Natasha
in a park outdoors near water</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>2.
There is no easy answer to the question, “So what can you see?”</span></b></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Some
people who are legally blind have experienced full sight. Then others, like me,
have no concept of what it’s like to have “normal” vision. The answer to the
question, “What can you see?” is a complicated one. Some people see colors or
shadows. Others may see parts of things and spend their life figuratively
putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Some people may be able to see a tiny
speck of paper on the floor but will run into a chair that wasn’t pushed in.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>For
many people with reduced acuity, their sight may be dependent on both internal
and external factors. The lighting in a room, the weather outside and how tired
they are can all affect how well someone can see. I often joke that whether I
can see something depends on the alignment of the sun, moon and stars and
whether Mercury is in retrograde. Never knowing if I will be able to see
something today that I could see yesterday is confusing for me and those around
me. I’d rather you err on the side of me not seeing something. That way we can
both be pleasantly surprised if I can.</span></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>3.
We learn to use our residual sight.</span></b></span><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>I
happen to be rather partial to the fact that I can see some things. I like to
look at things. When I was learning to use a long white cane as a mobility aid,
one of the things my instructor taught me was to let the cane do the work and
let my sight compliment what I was feeling with my cane. She taught me to use
my cane to locate objects and my vision to see them. Now that I primarily
travel with a guide dog, I let my dog keep me moving in a straight line while I
use my eyes to find the landmark I need to tell my dog where to go. The same
thing applies indoors. I let my dog take me around people and displays to help
me find the general location of items I purchase frequently. Then I use my
residual sight to find the exact item I need. It’s a win-win.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.5pt;background:white'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"arimo","serif";color:#444444'><image002.jpg>Natasha’s
guide dog.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>4.
We benefit from accurate verbal directions and descriptions.</span></b></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Yes,
I can see something, but I don’t see more than I can actually see. Phrases like
“over there” mean nothing to me other than it’s “not where I’m standing right
now.” I may need your help even, or perhaps especially, when I’m traveling with
the help of my guide dog. I might even get lost in a familiar area.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>If
I ask for directions or help locating something, please use words to describe
where things are in relation to where I am and how I am oriented. Phrases like
“behind you and to your right” tell me much more than “back there.” Likewise,
telling me the store I’m looking for is still another block down, across the
street and just past the train tracks provides me with excellent landmarks to
help find my way. Just use clear adjectives and directional phrases, and I’ll
be on my way.</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>5.
We’re not faking.</span></b></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>Please
don’t accuse someone who is partially sighted of faking their blindness. We
aren’t a social experiment. The last thing we want is extra special attention.
We are men and women, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons who have a
condition where we live in the gray area of the world. We work hard with what
we have. We get frustrated. We rejoice. We compensate and compromise. A medical
professional has run tests. Maybe glasses or contacts help. Maybe they don’t.
Maybe we use a long white cane just in unfamiliar areas and travel without a
mobility aide in areas we know well. I regularly travel to my mailbox without
the aid of dog or cane. I know the route well.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>So
when someone asks me, “Are you really blind?” I take a deep breath before I
reply. I spend my life figuratively putting together the pieces of a jigsaw
puzzle to get some visual semblance of my world. Have you ever tried to put
together a jigsaw puzzle without having a picture of what you were putting
together? That’s what every day is like for me, except I don’t even know if I
have all the pieces.</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span class=s1><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#444444'>The
next time you encounter someone who is partially sighted and curiosity is
getting the better of you, remember that blindness is a spectrum and an
individual experience. If you ask about a person’s visual impairment, and I
encourage you to, be open to an out-of-the-box answer because the person you
asked is stepping outside of their box for your benefit.</span></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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