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I am shocked and saddened my this news. This emphasizes the need for
education on deaf-blindness.<br>
Janice<br>
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<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">Subject:
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<td>[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind
Comments on Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight</td>
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<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">Date: </th>
<td>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:00:33 -0600</td>
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<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">From: </th>
<td>David Andrews <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:dandrews@visi.com"><dandrews@visi.com></a></td>
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<th nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE" align="RIGHT">To: </th>
<td><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org">nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org</a></td>
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<br>
<br>
<br>
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
<br>
CONTACT:<br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
<b> <br>
</b>
<div align="center"><b>National Federation of the Blind Comments
on <br>
Belgian Euthanasia of Deaf Men Losing Sight<br>
</b></div>
<br>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland (January 15, 2013):</b>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.nfb.org/">The National
Federation of the Blind</a>,
the largest organization of blind people in the United States with
over
50,000 members, including many deaf-blind individuals, commented
today on
the state-sanctioned death by lethal injection of deaf twins in
Belgium. Upon learning that they were also going blind, the deaf
twins sought and were granted euthanasia.<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio">Dr. Marc Maurer</a>,
President of the
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind">National
Federation
of the Blind</a>, said: “This disturbing news from Belgium is
a stark example of the common, and in this case tragic,
misunderstanding
of disability and its consequences. Adjustment to any disability
is
difficult, and deaf-blind people face their own particular
challenges,
but from at least the time of Helen Keller it has been known that
these
challenges can be met, and the technology and services available
today
have vastly improved prospects for the deaf-blind and others with
disabilities. That these men wanted to die is tragic; that the
state sanctioned and aided their suicide is frightening.” <br>
<br>
<br>
The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure
that
blind children get an equal education, to connect blind veterans
with the
training and services they need, and to help seniors who are
losing
vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make
a
donation, please go to
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br>
</b></div>
<br>
<br>
<b>About the National Federation of the Blind<br>
<br>
<br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest,
largest,
and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind
people
in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the
civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops
innovative
education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind
and
those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become
independent and successful. We need your support. To make a
donation, please go to
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>.<br>
<br>
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