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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am sorry to report that Susan Baker died after a very long battle with lung disease. For the past several decades, Susan came to our state conventions to recognize students who overcame challenges and achieved progress in the skills of blindness. The presentation of the Jennifer Baker Award was always a highlight. Like the students we recognized Jennifer Baker, Susan’s daughter, achieved many things that the “experts said she could never do.” Jennifer not only learned to read and write Braille, but was an avid reader who thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities that books offered to her. We will continue to offer the Jennifer Baker award at our convention but we will miss Susan’s presence. May she rest in peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>