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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Oh God, Cheri,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Trish<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><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;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Cherifields@aol.com<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 20, 2014 10:02 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfb-db@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [nfb-db] About This Group List<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hey Shadow,</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I'm sorry to hear of your paralysis to your left side. I'm glad it's not worst than that. I know that is a tragedy enough. I wish it could recover for you. Are the nerves dead? </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I lost my son when he was 20 years of age . He was a passenger in a car and the driver was speeding and ran off the road. He was thrown from the car and they said he died instantly. The police report said he probably broke his neck.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Maybe sometime in the near future things like stem cell will be used to heal us all.</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Blessings,</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Cheri</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>In a message dated 3/20/2014 4:57:01 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, <a href="mailto:soulalibi@gmail.com">soulalibi@gmail.com</a> writes:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hi Cheri,<br>Yes I am fortunate to be alive and well today. No brain trauma or damage. Just damage to my nerves in my left side of the face where I'm still paralyzed today (left facial paralysis). The doctor said I was lucky to have a head strong like a rock. Some people could have died from that type of injury that I experienced. Anyway, thanks for the nice comment. <br><br>--S.W. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>On 3/20/2014 3:27 PM, <a href="mailto:Cherifields@aol.com" title="mailto:Cherifields@aol.com">Cherifields@aol.com</a> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hey Shadow Wolf,</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>I was saddened to hear of your accident. It is almost like a miracle that you can hear again out of that ear. I hope that you didn't suffer any long term brain disorders as a result of this accident. </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>It sounds like you are doing much better since the CI surgery. </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Blessings,</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Cheri</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>In a message dated 3/20/2014 7:37:42 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, <a href="mailto:soulalibi@gmail.com" title="mailto:soulalibi@gmail.com">soulalibi@gmail.com</a> writes:<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'>Hi Darlene,<br>Nice to meet you. I was at HKNC for 11 months. I took full advantage of <br>the training they offered there. I took up whatever classes they offered <br>besides just learning Braille, Technology, ASL-TSL-Haptic Signs and <br>Independent Living. I even took Sr. Bernie's presentation class last <br>fall prior to her retirement last Dec. after 34 or 35 years she worked <br>there. It was a great learning experience.<br><br>I first started wearing hearing aids in both ears at 6 years old. I lost <br>my hearing as a toddler. I was told I had RP during my early teens once <br>I was diagnosed. But I was still driving up until I was 24. Then later <br>on, around in 2010. I was told I had Usher's type-2. I was confused <br>about that, because Usher's also affects balance. Whereas I do not have <br>balance issues. In fact, I think most people with Usher's type-2 do not <br>have balance issues.<br>On New Year's eve 2000, I was involved in a really bad car accident. <br>Although I was not a driver but a passenger. I suffered head trauma <br>where I also suffered an ear fracture in left side. I lost my hearing in <br>that ear 2 days later. For 9 and half years I was hearing with only 1 <br>ear, a hearing aid. My left ear was my better ear then. If you are a <br>right hand person, writing with a right hand, it was like losing your <br>right hand and trying to write with your left hand. Same with my hearing <br>after that accident. I had communication issues and kept to myself <br>during most of that time. Until one day in fall 2009, I got lucky and <br>became a candidate in my state to receive a Cochlear Implant. After all <br>is said and done. After 3 months of my brain trying to adjust to my CI <br>and hearing in my left ear again. My left ear where my CI is, became the <br>better ear once again. I now understand people best with my CI. It is <br>loud and clear. The CI boosted my communication skills and gave me a <br>great deal of confidence. I am now happy that I received the CI and I <br>hold no regrets about it. It is medically amazing that the CI can <br>restore your hearing if someone suffered dramatic hearing loss from an <br>ear fracture. I admit I was skeptical at first when I first sat down <br>with CI specialists prior to my surgery. I didn't think it was gonna <br>work. But I was wrong. The CI did work for me.<br><br>--S.W.<br><br>On 3/20/2014 4:49 AM, Darlene Laibl-Crowe wrote:<br>> Good morning, Shadow!<br>><br>> Welcome to the NFB DB Division. I, too, have RP and am HOH. I wear<br>> bi-lateral hearing haids. But I did not grow up knowing that I had RP. I<br>> found out as an adult at the age of 28 and had to give up driving. I was<br>> able to see to read print and see people's faces to read lips to accommodate<br>> for what I could hear for about 22 years after I was diagnosed with RP.<br>> That means when I turned 50 almost 6 years ago, I struggled with what to do<br>> as I could not longer see to do things that I kept doing as a sighted<br>> person.<br>><br>> Since I grew up wearing hearing aids, I never considered myself a 'deaf'<br>> person and can remember someone telling me 'oh, you're deaf' when I told<br>> them I wore hearing aids. I quickly responded and told them 'oh, no, I can<br>> hear something'.<br>><br>> So six years ago when I began to struggle with vision loss, I finally met<br>> many who were dealing with similar issues and I recognized that I was<br>> Deaf-Blind. Once I was able to define this, I soon went to Helen Keller<br>> National Center (January 2011 -- September 2011) where I learned much about<br>> my specific needs. HKNC is a great place to learn all you can about<br>> resources and gives a great sense of confidence.<br>><br>> Since returning home, I have continued to learn and made great progress.<br>> How long were you at HKNC? Also, if you are home, are you learning Braille<br>> through Hadley's?<br>><br>> That was how I completed my Braille...through Hadley School for the Blind.<br>> The Braille teacher at HKNC was very good and so glad I got the beginnings<br>> of it there and the teacher at Hadley was also very good. I use Braille in<br>> my everyday life but I am not that fluent because I have not made myself sit<br>> and read as I should. Need to get myself back on track there. I use<br>> Braille in business meetings, identifying things in my home and I also use<br>> it often when playing cards. My family loves to play canasta and I missed<br>> playing it. Now I can play it again! (smile) My sister (who is sighted)<br>> and I always play partners against our spouses and we win the majority of<br>> the time!<br>><br>> Take your time learning Braille. It can be daunting as times but very<br>> rewarding when it is completed.<br>><br>> Anyway, This list is a good source for information and sharing. I do have a<br>> question...you state that you have been Deaf-Blind all your life. When did<br>> you find out about your RP?<br>><br>> Have a Thrilling Thursday!!<br>><br>> (smile)<br>> Darlene<br>><br>><br>><br>><br>> _______________________________________________<br>> nfb-db mailing list<br>> <a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" title="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br>> <a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" title="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><br><br>-- <br>*~Shadow Wolf~*<br><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nfb-db mailing list<br><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" title="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" title="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><span style='color:black'>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'>nfb-db mailing list<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org" title="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org" title="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></pre></blockquote><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><span style='color:black'>-- <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'>*~Shadow Wolf~*<o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><br><br>_______________________________________________<br>nfb-db mailing list<br><a href="mailto:nfb-db@nfbnet.org">nfb-db@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>