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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'>Jim,<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'> Thank you so much for sending this link to this incredible article to us. As one who benefited from sleep shade work while participating in O&M instruction as a very high partial (I had 20/30 eyesight with a field of vision of less than 15 degrees), I understand the importance of learning the fundamental skills of blindness well so as to have the highest level of independence under a variety of circumstances and throughout the life span of deteriorating eyesight to total blindness. I find too many individuals who are not afforded this beneficial training find their independence compromised as they lose eyesight, thus experiencing the need for additional training as their eyesight deteriorates. This is also a social burden, as rehabilitation professionals who do not use blindfold training and the structured discovery method of O&M do a disservice to their consumer and society by promulgating the revolving door of return to training as eyesight is lost.<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'> I also have benefitted from my immersion into the philosophical writings of the Federation and the leadership training I received from Kenneth Jernigan, Marc Maurer, Joanne Wilson, Jim Gashel, and the scores of other Federationists with whom I have discussed such things and whose writings I have read. More importantly, I have challenged myself to not accept the low expectations of society and other blind people who have attempted to convince me that the Federation philosophy is irrational and untenable. I have applied this philosophy to my every day life and, when one puts the philosophy into practice by raising their own expectations of themselves, they find it is very rational, tenable, and practical!<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'> I hope everyone reads this awesome, inspiring article and continues to network with the National Federation of the Blind where they will find mentors who will bring them to a higher state of consciousness about blindness and the reality that it is not as limiting as the propaganda purports!<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'>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Marion Gwizdala<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'> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of the blind because low expectations are the obstacles that stand between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you back.<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 #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBF-Tampa [mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jim Lovell via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 8, 2017 10:36 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List<br><b>Cc:</b> Jim Lovell<br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-Tampa] what are your thoughts?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Hello all;<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I have been doing a lot of research and examining ddata/research/articles during the last few weeks and am sincerely interested in the thoughts/feelings/opinions of my fellow blind/visually impaired companions.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>This brings me to this moment...please click on this link and read it. Study the information, digest it, and give me your raw, uncensured thoughts, feelings, and emotions about the link.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>There are many things about this information I agree with and like, but I am not sure that all of it is realistic and effective for the advancement of the blind/visually impaired population.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I believe that it is our responsibility to examine and challenge research and information, rather than to accept it and follow like sheep if we truly want to “be a part of the real world”.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>I am attaching my phone number so that if you have some thoughts that you do not feel comfortable sharing in this format, you may call me and share.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>Jimmy Lovell<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'>(813) 792-8366<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm08/bm0802/bm080211.htm" title="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm08/bm0802/bm080211.htm">https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm08/bm0802/bm080211.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>