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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Got this from a newsletter- this is real:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>Movers & Shakers<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>By Karen Santiago<br><a href="mailto:karen@theblindperspective.com">Karen@TheBlindPerspective.com</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Once upon a time there were three blind mice, Mic, Bart B Cue, and Whitey. One day they all went shopping to find a gift for their friend. While walking through the mall, they got a whiff of Hickory Farms. The smell was so good, it lured them into the store. The farmer’s wife was working there since things were a bit slow on the farm. And so, you know the story, she whacked off their tails with a carving knife. The three mice sued, and they won. They decided to use the settlement money to start up a mall where the blind could shop, without fear of getting their tails cut off!<br>Blind Mice Mega Mall was completed and they all lived happily ever after!<br>Of course, this is not the real story. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Actually, the real story is Blind Mice got started by three blind guys who just decided to give it a try. They felt that blind people needed more products than just a talking watch, a low vision clock, or other similar items. They made the decision to go for it in 2003, and they opened up the doors to the Blind Mice Mart in 2004. They began with two vendors: the braille cookbooks, and an old company, SMC who offered a variety of products. From there, they started to build up a customer base. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>They initially began as one website with different suppliers. Then they began getting calls from other people wanting to sell their own stuff. They didn’t have the means to take on others. So, Blind Mice Mart revamped and had a new website built. This change was in 2011, and it was at that time they changed the name to Blind Mice Megamall. They started under this new name with an additional four stores. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Currently they have a dozen stores, with additional ones popping up based on the seasons. Dale says he is most proud of having four individual store owners. He added that these blind store owners are running their stores, making a difference, and generating an income for themselves. Having your own store within the Blind Mice Mega Mall allows the owner to access, edit, add and/ or remove products, change prices, and basically do everything needed to run their own store. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Blind Mice Mega Mall is a place to provide merchants an avenue to list their products. Dale says that they are always looking for new stores to incorporate into the mall. Some products he would like to see offered in the mall include windchimes, candles, and clothing, just to name a few. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you visit the mall at <a href="http://www.BlindMiceMegamall.com">www.BlindMiceMegamall.com</a>, you can browse by either the stores or by products. No matter how many stores you visit and products you purchase, it’s a convenient one step checkout process. Be sure to register, as there are some discounts for registered members, as opposed to the regular price. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is a list of some of the stores you can find in the Blind Mice Megamall:<br>E Z 2See Products: weekly planner<br>A Stitch in Time: sewing supplies<br>Blind Bookstop: braille & electronic books<br>Blind Mice Mart: items for blind & visually impaired individuals<br>Body Scentz: bath & body, perfumes & cologne<br>En-Vision Inc.: assistive technology<br>J&J Trading: vast supply of products<br>Journeys: sprays, crystals, & jewelry<br>Custom Canes: mobility & walking canes<br>On The Go: guide & service dog products <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Relax, stay in your pajamas, grab a cup of coffee, don’t worry about the weather outside, or finding a parking spot, when going to the blindMice megamall. Check out the site for all of your holiday shopping needs : <a href="http://www.blindmicemegamall.com/">BlindMiceMegamall.com</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Proceeds from every purchase at Blind Mice Mega Mall help fund the Mouse Hole Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to sighted high school students with a visually impaired parent and to visually impaired and blind high school students!<br>The Cooking in the Dark Show is also funded by your purchases! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The principle of Blind Mice is "Make It Count Every day!"<br>So, as the Mice at BlindMiceMegaMall.com say "Have a MICE day!" <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>