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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Federation family, Friends, and community:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PITSTOP PARTY!!!!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please spread the word far and wide!!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Pit stop party for Dan on August 12 in Santa Fe NM, at Rudy’s BBQ on Cerrillos, starting at 11:00am.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sponsored by the NFB of New Mexico At Large Chapter. Come join the fun and show your support.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind. See below for the full story.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Route 66 Ride for Literacy: Connect with a Movement<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>A journey of strength, dedication, and connection<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Dan O’Rourke is a man on a mission. As a veteran National Hockey League (NHL) referee, he's<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>used to skating on thin ice, making tough calls, and taking a few hits along the way. His latest<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>challenge, Route 66 Ride for Literacy, is a bit different. This summer, he's hopping on a bicycle<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>and setting out on a cross-country journey to support a cause that's near and dear to his heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>In partnership with National Federation of the Blind, Dan will be biking over 2,400-miles across<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>the country from Santa Monica California to Chicago, Illinois along the famous Route 66, but it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>means so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Image: Dan Rourke and NFB President Mark Riccobono smile holding a membership coin<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>A Blindness Story<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>“I faked my way through life and didn’t think I needed Braille until I met the National<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Federation of the Blind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>A common attitude for some blind people and their families is that they feel denying blindness<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>is a sign of strength and ultimately the best way to cope with blindness. But Dan O’Rourke and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>the National Federation of the Blind know that it is respectable to be blind. Connect with us<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>for life changing experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Family Connections<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>After growing up watching his blind father defeat all obstacles in his path, Dan wants to give<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>back to the organization that further empowers blind people to live the lives they want. The<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind is a network of blind members (sometimes known as our<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Federation Family) building a community that creates a future full of opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Image: Dan sits on floor smiling among NFB Camp kids at convention<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Beyond parents, blind people are part of our families—children, siblings, grandparents,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>friends, and all areas of society’s circles. Living the lives they want starts with quality and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>accessible education. This journey is to help connect with more families who could benefit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>from our positive philosophy on blindness and blindness skills.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Raise Expectations, Connections, & Education<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Follow Dan’s ride online, participate in a local membership building activity, and contribute to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>the National Federation of the Blind. Learn more at <a href="http://nfb.org/Route66" target="_blank">nfb.org/Route66</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'>Image: A blue figure rides on a bicycle, NFB logo in the bike wheels</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Tara Chavez, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:NFBNM.President@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>NFBNM.President@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>(505) 328-3349<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Live the life you want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbnm.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbnm.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfb.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>