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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>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I received this from another blindness list and thought it was worthwhile sharing! I hope you enjoy the read!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Over There.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>>As my guide dog and I stood in line at the checkout of the River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a simple question.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"Where are the napkins please?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Her response was hurried, but sincere, "over there."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch the attention of a passer-by. "Please sir, can you tell me where I might catch bus<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>63?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into the cacophony of the early afternoon, 'You can catch it, 'Over there.'"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So many things reside over there -- napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens, clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never ending supply of important<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and indispensable items and locales all reside in this place which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I stand in perplexed silence after learning that something is over there. It is a place I have never been and have no hope of finding on my own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators, escalators, helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet Pepsi display at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Food Town; however, when I tell her to find "over there", her little bottom hits the floor and a small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will not be going "over there" today. Over there has caused me abit of vexation, a lot of confusion and, on occasion, made my heart race.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have discovered that "over there" can be a dangerous place. One day, while crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice shout out a warning<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a truck bearing down on me from over there. Shadow artfully dodged the oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety of the curb.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our hearts were both racing as we took a few moments to compose > ourselves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Close encounters with over there can be frightening experiences. Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of, "over there,", few<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration of the mysterious place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the clerk where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her voice, she informed me<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>that the aspirin was located, "over there." <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With a weary sigh, I decided that I would take the extra step that would unravel the mystery, which had vexed my compatriots since the beginning of time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at the clerk, "Where," I asked, "is over there?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I imagined the girl's shocked expression. I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks with her fellows in the store. The silence grew palpable<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as they mulled the possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land. She had no choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>there!"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I had won! Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless anticipation. A victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on the handle of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shadow's harness, we would soon be going over there!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was made. "That way," she said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>******.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone understands that, right? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>Groups.io Links:<o:p></o:p></p><p>You receive all messages sent to this group. <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://groups.io/g/FreedomGuideDogsFamily/message/6199" target="_blank">View/Reply Online (#6199)</a> | <a href="mailto:FreedomGuideDogsFamily@groups.io?subject=Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BFreedomGuideDogsFamily%5D%20OT%20over%20there" target="_blank">Reply To Group</a> | <a href="mailto:kay511@charter.net?subject=Private:%20Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BFreedomGuideDogsFamily%5D%20OT%20over%20there" target="_blank">Reply To Sender</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/mt/97423893/6304130" target="_blank">Mute This Topic</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/g/FreedomGuideDogsFamily/post">New Topic</a><br><a href="https://groups.io/g/FreedomGuideDogsFamily/editsub/6304130">Your Subscription</a> | <a href="mailto:FreedomGuideDogsFamily+owner@groups.io">Contact Group Owner</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/g/FreedomGuideDogsFamily/leave/10538001/6304130/1201749883/xyzzy">Unsubscribe</a> [marion.gwizdala@verizon.net]<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>