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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi, The following link will take you to a YouTube video that shows a short overview of some of the training offered by BLIND Inc. I feel the video is quite moving and worthy of your review.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://youtu.be/jyGhV4u_lPM">https://youtu.be/jyGhV4u_lPM</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>The contact information for the executive director Dan Wenzel is listed below. I had an opportunity to get to know Dan and his staff better during the activities at our annual state convention. He has an incredible staff who truly understand our unique needs and believe in our population.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan Wenzel, Executive Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions, (BLIND) Inc.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2/0">100 East 22</a><sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2/0">nd</a></sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2/0"> Street</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2/0">Minneapolis, MN 55404</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="tel:(612)%20872-0100">(612) 872-0100</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:dwenzel@blindinc.org"><span style='color:black'>dwenzel@blindinc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>I know that many of you know me from my previous roles, and I would hope that you know that I am a freethinker. I've seen that many of us struggle with obstacles in our lives and don't know how to overcome those obstacles, because we haven't received adequate training. I have read the work of many professionals in the field of blindness and it all comes down to learning alternative nonvisual techniques and being given the opportunity to practice those techniques until they become second nature. I believe in Dan and his staff and I have no doubt that they are one of the top rehabilitation centers in the country. Regardless of your beliefs about blindness and your personal affiliations I highly recommend that everybody who is struggling look into rehabilitation and choose the training that is the best fit for your unique needs. If you've never visited a rehabilitation center, do yourself a favor and visit a few of them. We are fortunate to have many options around us in our neighboring states.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Warmly, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Jesse Shirek<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Treasurer - Membership Chair</span><u><o:p></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Web: <a href="www.nfbnd.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>www.nfbnd.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Cell: 701-781-2526<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>E-mail: jesseshirek@nfbnd.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><img border=0 width=304 height=378 style='width:3.1666in;height:3.9375in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D33075.A8558480" alt="NFBND Logo RGB Square.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>The National Federation of the Blind 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>