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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Thanks, Everyone. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>\u2764\ufe0f</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I just want to let y\u2019all know that typing, answering the phone, or doing anything that involves the upper half of my torso is extremely painful, and I am not supposed to be doing these things. So, please forgive me if I do not respond to messages or calls promptly. I truly appreciate your patience and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I also want to clarify what happened during my accident because this is what made it so traumatic. I was not navigating the stairs. It was approximately 2:30 A.M., and I was walking across the very narrow landing at the top of the stairs when I fell sideways. I tumbled, almost like cartwheeling or careening, down an entire flight of 16 steps and landed sideways on a hard surface in a very unnatural position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have several broken bones in some very crucial places. I could have been paralyzed. I thank the Lord that I am not worse off than I am and that the outcome was not even more devastating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>My friend, Michael Seay, who served as president of our Tennessee affiliate for a short time, tragically fell backward down a flight of stairs and lost his life while serving as president. I am so grateful that my accident did not have the same outcome.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Y\u2019all, please be careful, and continue navigating stairs safely. But please do not stop doing the things you love or allow fear to keep you from living your lives fully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Just because we are blind does not automatically make navigating stairs more challenging or more dangerous. Sighted people fall every day, too. Trust me when I tell you that falls happen to sighted people as well as blind people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>People often assume that when a blind person falls, it must be because of their blindness. However, that is rarely the situation. We must continue to challenge these assumptions and recognize that accidents can happen to anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I love y\u2019all and appreciate every one of you. Please continue living your lives to the fullest of your desires and capabilities. Keep pursuing your dreams, embracing new opportunities, and doing the things that bring you joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Warmly,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Shara </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif'>\u2764\ufe0f</span><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'>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/">www.nfbma.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com">sharawinton@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></span></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;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> adam.roberge93@gmail.com <adam.roberge93@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, October 25, 2026 11:10 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List' <massachusetts-nfb@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> sharawinton@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> RE: [Massachusetts-NFB] From your affiliate president<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Hi Shara, that sounds scary what you are going through.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Always be careful when navigating stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>I am glad you are recovering well and my mother had two falls with in the last five weeks and your\u2019 s sounds worse than both of Her\u2019s.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Adam Roberge<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> Massachusetts-NFB <<a href="mailto:massachusetts-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org">massachusetts-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 23, 2026 2:48 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:massachusetts-nfb@nfbnet.org">massachusetts-nfb@nfbnet.org</a><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com">sharawinton@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [Massachusetts-NFB] From your affiliate president<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello, My Dear NFB Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I hope you are all doing well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I am writing to share something that is very difficult for me to talk about\u2014not only emotionally, but physically as well. Even typing this message is challenging right now.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>On Monday, October 19, I fell down an entire flight of stairs, sideways. I am incredibly fortunate that my injuries were not even worse, although they are quite serious.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>911 was called because I was unable to move. The emergency responders placed a cervical collar on me to immobilize my neck and spine. I was in tremendous pain, and there was blood in my mouth. I could not move and was in tremendous pain, all over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Once I arrived at the emergency department, the medical team began a series of tests and examinations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The results confirmed that I broke my sternum (almost in half), with some additional smaller fractures. I also fractured two vertebrae. Thankfully, these injuries have not resulted in paralysis, and my medical team expects me to make a full recovery. I also badly bit my tongue and, for good measure, one of my toes! Needless to say, I am bruised and battered from head to toe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I was admitted to the trauma unit, where I remain. The pain is excruciating, and I will be unable to use my arms and upper body normally for the next several weeks. Although recovery will take time, my medical team tells me that I am doing well under the circumstances and is optimistic about my recovery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For the time being, I ask that any questions or concerns about NFBMA business be directed first to your chapter president, who will often be able to provide the information you need. If further assistance is necessary, please contact our affiliate Vice President, Kyra Sweeney.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Right now, I will be focusing on healing, so I appreciate your patience, understanding, and support as I navigate the weeks ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and send along any good wishes you can spare. Your love and encouragement mean more than you know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thank you for being such a wonderful family. I love all,y\u2019all!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With love, hope, and determination,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Shara<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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/">www.nfbma.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com">sharawinton@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>