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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Maggie,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=gmail-msotitle align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'>Thank you for sharing the information in the June issue of <b><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'>“Beyond the Six Dots”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=gmail-msotitle align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msotitle align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'>Oh poo. </span> Sorry to hear Denise is taken. I am not a first timer. But guess I better find my own mentor. I am glad that I took the time to actually read the newsletter. I Thank you for reminding me to call my local paratransit again. I forgot that I had left a message and no one has return my call as of today. So thanks to you I just called again and gave them the fax number in New Orleans, which is (504) 827-8428. . <o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msotitle align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will be wearing my joy! And I am ready to let the good times roll and ready to meet you and Ms. June and so many others.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Delcenia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Maggie Stringer via NFB-DB<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 15, 2022 1:39 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfb-db@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Maggie Stringer <ravensfan784@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFB-DB] June 2022 Quarterly Newsletter<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><p class=gmail-msotitle align=center style='margin:0in;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'>“Beyond the Six Dots”</span></b><span style='font-size:28.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>National Federation of the Blind Community Service Division<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>June 2022 Quarterly Newsletter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We use a white cane, slate & stylus, and screen readers in between,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We read from the left, write from the right, and will tap tap onto any scene.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We want our communities to know what we’ve got, a commitment to serve,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Beyond the Six Dots!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>National Division Day</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The one-stop, over-the-top party starts here with CSD! Who’s that you may ask? An impeccable division with Willing Workers serving, how? The only way! Beyond The Six Dots! And have you heard where you’ll find this party? the Big Easy! Yes, you’ve read that correctly. New Orleans is the place to be this July; a place known to celebrate culture and community. So, we enthusiastically shout, “Let the Good Times ROLL!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Community Service Division Celebration</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Date: Thursday, July 7, 2022<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Time: 1:00 to 3:30PM CDT.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Location: Salon B Room<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><i>“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success!”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>WHERE HOPE BEGINS</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>2022 National Community Service Project</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, devoted volunteers will partner with Covenant House New Orleans for this years’ service project. The beautiful people of this community resource center have been committed in serving young people overcoming homelessness. Every year, they open their hearts and doors to more than nine hundred youth and children ages 22 and under.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>In the past 10 years, the number of youths at the Covenant House New Orleans has grown from 45 to over 200 youth per night. They are in need of life’s basics of food, clothing and shelter. They come to Covenant day and night and are accepted without question or cost.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“We are much more than ‘just a shelter,’ we provide supportive counseling and the tools needed to help our youth become independent members of our community.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>At Covenant House, they offer young people protection and safety. They stress the reality of the present moment and encourage belief in their potential for the future. Lasting, caring relationships are built on unconditional love and absolute respect. They teach their youth the benefits of positive values like honesty and trust. For a lot of the youth, stability is uncertain when they are facing homelessness or human trafficking. CHNOLA offer young people guidelines, plans, and options, not rules and regulations that will impede them. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“Our youth face some of the greatest challenges in our community. With the help of the Covenant House New Orleans family, they receive the relentless support, unconditional love, and absolute respect they need to begin healing and start building brighter futures.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The staff at Covenant House truly believes that their young people are so much more than statistics. They know that they are good, and beautiful, and brave. Despite all that the youth have been through in their short lives, they are full of hope.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“The staff here at Covenant House have had a big impact on my life. If I hadn’t come here, I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing with my life.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“There’s no place like Covenant House. You can come here, build up your pride, self-esteem, confidence, and your money.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>LOVE BOXES</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Covenant House New Orleans Project</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>We are asking for your help in fulfilling our division’s goal in filling one hundred Boxes of Love! We are collecting the following items, and have two options for securing your donations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Items Needed:</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Wet wipes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Feminine product<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Mouthwash<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Lotion<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Bath towels<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Hand sanitizer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Razors<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Deodorant (all types)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Shampoo & Conditioner<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Natural Hair Products<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>Body Wash (bars or bottle)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:106%'>-<span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span>toothpaste & Booth brushes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>*Only brand-new products & any size appreciated**</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Drop Off Option</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Date: Tuesday, July 5th<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Time: 3PM to 5PM CDT<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Location: The Marriott Lobby<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Contact Person: Lyn Eberhardt, (513) 884-2132<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Mailing Option</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Date: Shipped prior to Friday, June 24th<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Ship to: Jeanetta Price<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>8035 San Bruno Street<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Beaumont, Texas 77708<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Any questions, please contact our division president at (409) 344-1005.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i>“Making a difference, one Love Box at a time!”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>THE PHILLY TOUCH</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Top Tips for Navigating the National Convention in New Orleans</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Based on an interview with Denise Brown by Carol King-Ries<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The 2022 National Federation of the Blind Convention will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana this year, and guess who is planning to be there… me! It will be the first time I attend a National convention in person, and I am so excited! I have registered for the conference and booked my hotel room (Yea me!); and I have purchased my airline ticket (Boo hiss high prices!). Now, like any good traveler, it is time to get the inside scoop on how to best navigate the convention. For this, I turned to my unofficial mentor extraordinaire, Denise Brown. Our relationship started when I responded to her New Member Welcome email with this statement “I have one question for you”, and I haven’t stop asking questions. She keeps picking up the phone, and I keep asking questions (smile). Denise is qualified to share tips. Besides her many roles in the NFB such as Greater Philadelphia chapter president, member of the Scholarship committee, and the Black Leaders Serving for Advancement, Denise has also attended every National Convention since she joined the NFB in 2000. Her first convention was in Philadelphia in 2001, and the New Orleans convention will be her 22<sup>nd</sup> consecutive convention (2 of which were virtual). Below, you will find her inside scoop on the National Convention, with a cherry on the top thrown in by Maggie Stringer, our Newsletter editor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Read the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The Code of Conduct is a required read for registering for the National Convention. However, do not just check off that you read it. Read it! Adherence to these standards will make the convention better for everyone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Get a mentor if you are a first-time attendee</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This should be a person who has attended previous conventions, whose phone number you have in your contacts and can reach out to for on the ground advice and recommendations. FYI, Denise is taken… <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Make your own personal daily agenda</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>There will be so many good sessions at the convention, you will have to choose where you want to focus your attention. A personalized agenda will keep you organized and on the right track. When the convention agenda is finalized, go to work on personalizing it. If they use “Crowd Compass” again, this is a great app for staying on track during the convention as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Set up your ability to use paratransit in New Orleans early</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>I was surprised to find out that you can use paratransit in other cities once you have qualified for it in your local area. However, Denise informed me that it must be set up in advance. Work with your local paratransit organization to get you set up in New Orleans. Do it early, if you snooze, you can lose…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Pack well</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>When packing, do not just focus on looking great, pack to be great. Even though we are going to hot New Orleans, pack a hoodie, sweater, or shawl to stay warm in those typically very cool convention rooms. Bring an extra folding white cane. You never know when your current cane will break. Better safe than sorry. Pack extra portable chargers for your devices for the same reason. Please pack comfortable shoes. You will be on the move, and that is best to do in style and comfort.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Place all electronics, jewelry, medications, and other valuables in a carry-on bag</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Sometimes checked luggage gets lost or items are stolen from them. Therefore, it is important to keep your valuable items with you. Denise recommends that you check your carry-on bags after they go through security to make sure that everything, they entered the scanner with is still inside! Crime, no matter how petty, is real… <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Pay for your hotel room with a credit card and not a debit card if possible </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>When you pay for your hotel room, they always put a hold on some funds to make sure that there are no additional charges after you check out. If you use a debit card, this will be a hold on your personal funds. Hotels vary in the amount of time it takes to release that hold. This is not a problem when you use a credit card.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Download and practice using some helpful apps for navigating New Orleans</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Denise recommends that you download Aira for help navigating in the Convention spaces. It will be free to use in the two participating hotels. Also download Be My Eyes for help with items you need to see. Of course, ride apps like Uber and Lift can be helpful in New Orleans so download them as well. The more tools in your Apps toolbox, the more needs you can meet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>When you first get to the hotel, find your way to all the key venues </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Denise recommends that you explore the hotel venue when you arrive to familiarize yourself with key meeting rooms and the like. I believe in safety, so I recommend that the first place you familiarize yourself with is getting to the emergency exit/stairs on your floor. Once you have familiarized yourself with the hotel room, get in the habit of leaving your white cane in the same place every time, like at the door when you enter the room. This way, if you have to make a quick exit, there will be no question about where your cane will be. Safety always comes first!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Bring and use your headset/air pods/headphones</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Due to the fact that we love our voice-over and text-to-speech technology, most people will be using it. Therefore, to cut down on the cacophony of voices, use your headset/air pods/headphones at all times. This will make sessions easier to hear and enjoy!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Travel in the company of others</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Denise recommends that because we are in an unfamiliar city, we should travel in groups. This has been a tried-and-true method of staying safe, so partner up! Don’t be scared, be wise… <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Reward good service</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Maggie Stringer, our Newsletter editor believes in rewarding good service. She recommends that you keep a roll of small bills to do this without having to pull out your wallet. Generosity and protection in one!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Be sure to keep your patience nearby and wear your joy</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Whenever you travel, things happen that are unexpected and can be challenging. Being patient with travel delays, impatient people, and things not going exactly how you thought they would go will make the trip better for you and those around you. And wearing your joy is always appropriate in this grand gathering. So come ready to let the good times roll, New Orleans style!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>A VARIANT OF OPPORTUNITIES</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>An interview with June Hunter-Hardy by Maggie Stringer</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June is a vivacious CSD Willing Worker who’s always ready for a new adventure! She was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised and educated in Virginia. She is a proud Cum Laude graduate from Virginia Union university and an active member of the Fall 1983 Vanity 9 line of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is a retiree of the Internal Revenue Service, a board member of the Northern Chapter of Delaware, and most importantly, an elated Mom and Grandmom to her daughter and granddaughter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“When I started going blind, I turned into such a downer, and had no kind of life.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Like so many of us, when we lose our sight later in life, we tend to feel we had become imprisoned with an invisible restraint and have been robbed of our livelihood. The Qwest for independence and freedom seem to become a faint memory of our former selves. Until we meet that one person or an organization of people who guides us in learning that blindness is only a characteristic to our life’s portrait and not the masterpiece to who we are.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“I had just started training shortly before the pandemic hit, then all I really knew was that I had a phone that could talk.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>We all know a little too well what COVID-19 has taken from us. But what about the extraordinary experiences the pandemic has given us along the way? Many of us have learned to think differently and open our minds to new ideas. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Like most of the world, the blind community discovered a way to band together and create a virtual environment that have not only been productive and successful but enjoyable too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“I heard Dr. Maurer speak during a Delaware state convention, and I was instantly hooked.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June was still fairly new to the federation in 2020, and learned of a wonderful opportunity to attend the National Convention in a virtual space. She was so delighted to have a chance to attend without the pressure of feeling intimidated by her lack of training, or overwhelmed with the thought of so many blind people all in one place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“Navigating the virtual convention was difficult, but I learned so much and wanted to know more.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>After attending the national virtual convention, Miss June still faced challenges with operating her phone and various virtual platforms. She distinctly remembers attending an event held by the Community Service Division, and the president, Jeanetta Price had taken noticed in her not being able to unmute.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“Jeanetta could tell I didn’t have the confidence I needed, but that I was willing to learn. Nex thing I knew, I was in Libra’s iPhone boot camp!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Libra Robinson is a member of the National Federation of the Blind of DC Affiliate, president of the affiliate’s Community Service Division, and the owner and CEO Of Nsight VIP Services for the Blind and Visually impaired.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“She made it very clear, you are not to relinquish your phone to anyone! Your phone is your phone.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June and Miss Nelson have been meeting with Libra in a virtual space, for several months. They would meet for two hours once a week, then graduated to one hour every week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“It never felt like a classroom, it was more like a realistic opportunity. And I appreciated there never being a wrong answer.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June described how working with Libra, she never felt like she wanted to give up or quit. Whenever they were stuck or were lost within their phones, they would regroup and try again. She goes even further to share how she will never forget Libra’s three famous words; practice, practice, practice!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“Because of my training, I don’t have to hand my phone to my daughter anymore. My phone is now my phone! I feel like I have moved to the front row!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Many of us has watched Miss June blossom in comfortability and with self-confidence, and have seen her showcase her fierce determination to be a woman of independence!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Her boot camp training may have ended, but her thirst for knowledge has only just begun! Miss June’s virtual endeavors is still expanding into additional training opportunities such as Zoom classes, JAWS training, technology seminars, and learning the greatest code ever, Braille. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“These past two years, I have listened to lots and lots of blind people tell their stories. Listening to them, you would never know that they are blind.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June never really thought about learning JAWS or Braille prior to the pandemic. She believes she would not be where she is today without COVID-19 changing the way we communicate, educate, and interact with one another. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>“All of these virtual opportunities, including all of the state conventions has been down right amazing.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Miss June speaks with great admiration for the blind community and all of the people she has encountered in the virtual space. she is truly ecstatic about what all she has planned for 2022.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>” The federation has become my second family. I am thankful for my Delaware chapter, Darryl Gardner, Jeanetta Price, Kamille Richardson, Libra Robinson, Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI), and Blindsight Peer Support!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Because of the pandemic, she was able to meet people who believed in her, and helped restore her confidence! Because of the pandemic, she has been equipped with the tools to be able to work again! And because of the pandemic, Miss June has been empowered to take that enormous step. She will be traveling to her very first National Convention in New Orleans!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i>“Let me tell you, I am ready! I am ready for the main event!”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>KNOW BEFORE YOU GO</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>COVID-19 Safety & Testing Protocols</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Our federation is committed in delivering a safe and welcoming convention experience. It is up to us to do our part! Familiarize yourselves with the COVID-19 testing protocols. Here is an outline and link to the full protocol’s information:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>- All attendees will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test from no more than 72 hours prior to arrival onsite.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>- All attendees are asked to be fully masked (mask covering the nose and mouth and properly fitted to the face) in all convention activities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>- All attendees are encouraged to practice social distancing whenever possible throughout convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>- Access the full National Convention COVID-19 Testing Protocols, 2022 National Convention Safety Protocols, and National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>(If at any time during convention week you begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please self-isolate, notify NFB staff, and get tested yourself.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Some convention activities require separate enrollment or registration. Prepare for child care, the Career Fair, or legal office appointments.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>NFB Camp (child care during convention)</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Enrollment for the NFB Camp is separate from the convention registration. Enroll now for the NFB Camp! If you have additional questions, contact Carla McQuillan at <a href="mailto:president@nfb-oregon.org">president@nfb-oregon.org</a>, or call (541) 653-9153.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Career Fair</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>The Career Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in New Orleans and requires a separate registration by June 21. Job-Seeker Registration and Employer Registration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Legal Office</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Disability rights attorneys will be available at NFB22 to discuss blindness discrimination concerns regarding employment, technology, education, voting, and more. Legal office hours will be held on Tuesday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 6, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Schedule your private twenty-minute appointment by emailing Valerie Yingling at <a href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</a>. Please request your appointment by June 23.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>Rookie Roundup</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>You are cordially invited to attend a reception from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday, July 5. President Riccobono and many Federation leaders will be on hand to welcome you to the convention and preview the week’s activities. This is a great option for First Time Attendees & for a convention Refresh!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>More information can also be found at <a href="https://nfb.org/convention"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://nfb.org/convention</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b><i>“Here we come NOLA!!”</i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>THE CHUCKLE BLAST</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>A delightful chuckle to keep in your back pocket for all of your summer travels! And make sure to pack your beautiful smiles too! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Question: What kind of candy do you get at the airport?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Answer: Plane chocolate!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><i>Go ahead! Chuckle it out!</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><i>“We always pack tasty treats for our trips; it’s the only way to travel!”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>HAVING A PURPOSE</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>National Wellness Month </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Contributed by Charmaine Reinmuck<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Henshaws is a wonderful non-profit organization located within the United kingdom. They have been helping people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities for over 180 years. It's their devout mission to reduce social isolation, and increase independence through empowering disabled people to go beyond expectations and achieve their ambitions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>It is important to recognize agencies and organizations that make healthy living a priority while serving their disabled communities. It is my upmost honor to feature the Henshaws organization for National wellness month this August. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>After working for 16 years as a midwife, Diane’s life changed forever. Whilst chatting with her family eight years ago, Diane described feeling ‘a bit odd’. She doesn’t recall much more about what happened next. After quick intervention from the emergency service, Diane was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and was operated on immediately. It became apparent after a few days that Diane’s vision had been affected, and it was confirmed that she had severe and irreversible sight loss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Diane was then introduced to Henshaws and the support available for people living with sight loss in Liverpool. She wanted something to challenge her mind, so she joined the Braille group and enrolled on a computer course. She says:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“Henshaws helped me get back into some kind of routine. I had retired from work, so coming here has been really useful. You can feel lost after retirement, and you don’t what to do with yourself. Coming to Henshaws has given me an extra purpose.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>During these visits to the center, she was encouraged to try a yoga session, which was the beginning of a whole new experience. Yoga is an ancient form of exercise which can increase flexibility and muscle strength, and help to improve posture and alignment. Diane was aware of the physical benefits of yoga, but it was the benefits to her mental well-being that she found to be equally beneficial. Diane enjoys the meditation aspect at the end of the session, which teaches her to breathe properly and helps her to focus and clear her mind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“No matter what life throws at you, and no matter how busy your life is, when you go to yoga your worries and woes disappear for that hour, and you only think about the moment you are in. After my weekly sessions, I feel uplifted - both physically and mentally. It feels like I’ve been stretched and lengthened – in a good way! – and the relaxation has most definitely improved my sleep pattern,” said Diane.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Henshaws Yoga Sessions are run by Rosanna, a qualified yoga tutor, and the classes are adapted so that each move can be followed by verbal instruction alone. Rosanna explains the moves simply, stage by stage until members achieve the pose, and giving additional support when needed to help the ‘yogis’ achieve the position.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>Rosanna (@Rosanna_Yoga) kindly shares her top advice for anyone wanting to start the ancient form of exercise below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b>Advice for someone with a visual impairment who wants to try yoga but is unsure/nervous</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>1. Give it a go even if you’re unsure/nervous, the class is adapted to suit your needs and partly performed in a chair/level that you can access.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>2. Clear verbal instructions are given so you can follow without needing to see the instructor/yoga poses. Rely on these instructions and sensations you can feel in your body and mind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>3. Forget the ‘gym yoga’ sessions you’ve seen or heard about. This is not a strenuous workout, but a gentle stretch for everybody. We perform yoga breathing exercises and relaxation techniques too to feel stronger, fitter and calmer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>4. Have fun with it! You’re often surprised at how much you can achieve. Let the mat be a place of peacefulness and enjoyment at the same time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>5. Celebrate your personal progress – when you’re able to stand on your toes with arms raised, focus your mind on the present moment by connecting with your breath, stretch all the aches and pains in your back feeling better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i>“The body is like a piano, and happiness is like music. It is needful to have the instrument in good order.”</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>SPREADING JOY</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>National Caribbean-American Heritage Month</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Written by Amede Williams, Volunteer of Technology Services in New York City, New York<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>National Caribbean American Month is celebrated every June to honor and celebrate America’s rich and diverse culture, which also includes the Caribbean-American population. People from this community have not only evolved the American culture but have also contributed greatly to the development of the nation in areas of science and medicine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>This month aims to recognize the contributions of all Caribbean-American people and to teach people more about my families’ culture and history. During this month, knowledge regarding the contributions of the Caribbean is pushed to the forefront, and people are also reminded of the great Caribbean cuisine, their music, and the majestic annual parades of the Caribbean Americans. This is also the time of the year when the country is given a blast from the past, topped with a lot of entertainment!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>If you are not aware, the 13 Caribbean countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>My grandfather was a distinguished tradesmen who migrated from Haiti to United States with his family in 1985. He had a unique vision for the future; he believed success and opportunities were far better obtainable in the states, and moved his entire family of eighteen, to a foreign country.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>If you will fast forward to 2022, I cannot confidently say that I could have achieved a life of success and independence as a strong 32-year-old college graduate with a Master of Social Work degree, employed with DHHS (Department of Health & Human Services) for the last seven years, and completely living without sight as a husband and a father of two young daughters. The opportunities and accomplishments I have received as a Caribbean-American citizen has humbled me and my family beyond expectations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>For that reason alone, it is vital to me to keep learning about my ancestors’ contributions towards America, and that we simultaneously understand how this specific culture and origins have influenced our own. We all need to make a point to explore the rich history and delve into a world that has advanced our own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'>“I believe that the more we brush up on the globalization trend, the more we learn to be open-minded to new experiences, people, and cultures around us. And that my friend, can only lead to great and many positive things.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>KEEPING FURRY FRIENDS SAFE</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Written by Hunter Luther<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>National Pet Fire Safety Day takes place every year on July 15, and it’s a day to learn how to keep your pet safe in a fire. For many of us, our service animals are our most precious asset so it makes sense that we would dedicate a day to keeping them safe during one of the scariest things we can imagine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>It was started by the Kennel Club and ADT Security in 2009 to help pet owners learn safety measures to protect their beloved pets and homes from fire, and it’s a great opportunity to learn how to keep your fur baby safe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>While our animals are oftentimes the culprit behind devastating fires, it’s a little ironic that dogs (specifically dalmatians) have become an American icon associated with firefighters today. Let’s briefly explore how that came to be. A few hundred years ago, dogs were trained to trot alongside horse-drawn wagons and protect their occupants (and horses) from harm. Dalmatians quickly became the ideal carriage dog for their strength, vitality, fortitude, and size. They also had a reputation for getting along well with horses and were known to have a calming effect while firefighters were battling a blaze. Overtime as motorized fire trucks replaced carriages, Dalmatians and other fire pups were seen less aboard fire trucks and more as on-site firehouse residents and mascots.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Today, many firefighters have pet Dalmatians, and firehouses around the country still have Dalmatians as station dogs. However, Dalmatians aren’t the only dog in the firehouse. It’s become common for firefighters (and sometimes entire fire teams) to adopt dogs rescued from fires. These lucky pups, whatever their breed, become symbols of the resiliency, bravery, and fortitude of firefighters and the individuals they help. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>As a retired blind firefighter, I dedicate my time in educating schools and community groups across the country, on fire safety and emergency preparedness. Teaching that pet cause over one-thousand house fires each year in the United States, and the preventive measures we can take to protect our beloved companions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Most do not know that a stove or cooktop is the number-one cause of fires started by pets. Electrical cords can sometimes be seen by your dog as a chew toy. When damaged, they can spark and cause electrocution or a fire. Please secure any cords and hide them behind furniture or other obstructions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>There are steps one can take to help ensure you are able to get your pet out of a fire. That would be to keep a collar on your dog at all times, and keep leashes and cat carriers in an easy-to-access spot near an exit point. It makes it easier on you so that you can grab them on your way out.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Another tip I would like to share is to get a free Pet Fire Safety Window sticker at your local volunteer firehouse On July 15. It will be a pack of four stickers that you will place on any and all of your front windows. A First responders will see the alert sticker and know to look out for any pets inside.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Lastly, let’s talk about families with kids. I believe it is essential to have a family fire drill. Discuss your family evacuation plan, designate someone to carry out the pets and execute a fire drill on this day every year. Have a family discussion on how there are many ways to keep your pet from causing a fire. Talk about blowing out candles before leaving home, block off access to the kitchen or remove stove knobs if pets can reach it, and keep any and all wires out of chewing distance, especially from kittens and puppies. In addition, make sure that as part of your evacuation plan, include a list of your pet’s hiding places, so that firefighters will know where to look in case your pets don’t make it out with you. Finally, make sure your pets have collars with up-to-date tags attached in case they escape on their own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202124'>In conclusion, do what you believe is best in order to keep your loved ones safe, especially all of our precious furry friends!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202124'> “Fire Destruction Is One Man's Job, Fire Prevention Is Everybody's Job.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#202124'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;text-indent:.5in;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>REPRESENT YOUR STATE</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>South Carolina State Conventions</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>August 25<sup>th</sup> through August 28<sup>th</sup>, 2022</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Location: North Charleston Marriott</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>For more information, visit: </span><a href="https://nfbofsc.org/home/"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;color:#0563C1'>https://nfbofsc.org/home/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>EDITOR’S NOTES</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We want to feature you in our next issue! Write about your personal experience with your community service project and submit the article by the first of the month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>We also want to help promote your community projects and state affiliate events. Share your calendar with Beyond The Six Dots and we will feature your events in the ‘Represent Your State’ section of our next issue. Contact our editor to submit your calendar events and featured articles. (The editor may edit the Length and/or wording of your article.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b>NFB Community Service Division</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><a href="http://www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.facebook.com/communityservicedivision/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>President Jeanetta Price<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Email: <a href="mailto:price.jeanetta@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>price.jeanetta@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Mobile: (409) 344-1005<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Newsletter Editor: Maggie Stringer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Email: <a href="mailto:Ravensfan784@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Ravensfan784@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>Mobile: (443) 750-0070<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>ONE MINUTE MESSAGE</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'>The National Federation of t<i>he 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. We are survivors!</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%'><i> </i><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>