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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In the past few weeks, I have been in contact with the mother of a soon-to-be 9<sup>th</sup> grade student from Owings Mills who reached out to me in an effort to get her son connected with our student division and the Federation as a whole. He has lost all sight in one eye and is gradually losing it in the other eye. Consequently, though he is a very bright student who is entering high school a year early, he is receiving very limited Braille instruction from his school system.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Until they can increase the services he is receiving, I suggested that the family look into getting a private Braille tutor to work with him after school—an idea to which they were very receptive. I think it would be great for him to have a blind tutor from the Federation who can also serve as a positive mentor for him. So, if anyone in the area would be willing to work with him on either a paid or volunteer basis, please write to me off-list and I will give you the relevant contact information. This could be an especially rewarding an opportunity for students who are looking for a summer job or something to do on the side. I hope we can tap into the vast network of our Federation to find a great tutor/mentor for this promising blind student. Thank you or all you do to support the future blind leaders of the blind!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chris Nusbaum, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maryland Association of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Board Member, National Association of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone: (443) 547-2409<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: cnusbaumnfb@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Twitter: @Chrisn98 and @nabslink<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations for blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you bak.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>