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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 20, 2019<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1697<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Saturday evening, February 16, Shelley and I had a wonderful time attending the fourth annual Sweetheart Dance sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. Approximately 53 individuals were in attendance and it was very apparent everyone enjoyed all the festivities of the evening. The Federation Center was beautifully decorated with alternating white and pink tablecloths as well as a balloon bouquet on each table. Individuals enjoyed a delicious dinner after which time people appeared to be having fun listening to the music, dancing or just talking with each other. Many great door prizes were handed out which greatly enhanced to the festivities of the evening. I am very proud to announce $1,000 in net proceeds was raised for the NFB of SC which met our goal for the evening. As this was a fund raiser for the state affiliate, I would like to recognize those state board members and leaders who were present for this event. They were Second Vice President, Debra Canty, Secretary, Shannon Cook, first district board member, Loretta Green, second district board member, Steve Cook, fifth district board member, Linda Dizzley and member-at-large board member Ed Bible. Also in attendance were David Houck, Director of the Federation Center of the Blind and Jennifer Bazer, Director of Successful Transitions. I would like to thank Kerry “Butch” Thompson, an associate member of the Sumter chapter, for doing an excellent job providing the music for the evening. Thanks also goes to Jennifer Bazer for securing a variety of door prizes for the evening and updating attendees of upcoming events in the NFB of SC. A very special thank you goes to Debra Canty, our Fundraising Chairperson and her committee for putting together this event. Many kudos for a job well done! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shannon Cook. “On February 23rd, there will be a work day at the Federation Center of the Blind (119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205) to prepare the building for upcoming painting and upgrades being done. We are asking for any and all of you who are able to come out on that day to help with removing wall paper, sanding, general cleaning, etc. You should dress in work clothes that will get dirty and good work/tennis shoes. If you have buckets, sponges, dish soap, brushes, etc. to use for the projects, please bring those with you. Sandpaper and spackle will be provided. Also, if anyone has a hand held steamer, that would be a great advantage when loosening and removing wall paper. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The center will be open beginning around 8:30 a.m. and work will begin then. Please circulate this message to youth groups, Scouts, other volunteer organizations, or any other group or individual who may be able to pitch in a helping hand. Lunch will be provided! If you need more information, please call the Federation Center at 254-3777. This will be a fun group activity. Come join us!” <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 the expectations of 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 back. Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC. Here is Dr. Capps. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The weekly spotlight program in the Positive Note is much appreciated by those we spotlight as well as by our Positive Note readers. I trust that their experiences will encourage you to step out as they have to accomplish great things. This week we are spotlighting one of our Federation Center Assistive Technology Instructors who also happens to be the new President of the Darlington County Chapter of the NFB of SC. I am speaking of Garrett Mosley who was born and raised in Bethune, South Carolina. Garrett graduated from North Central High School in 2003. Years later, after adjustment to blindness training, he attended and graduated from Columbia International University in 2013. Garrett’s wife Danielle and he were married in 2015. She teaches 4th grade in a local elementary school. Garrett is the son of Keith and Daisy Mosley. Garrett has two younger brothers, Everett and Landon Mosley. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Garrett Mosley is one of four Federation Center Assistive Technology Instructors, teaching JAWS, or Voiceover on iPhone. He is certified in all technologies that he instructs his blind students in. His classes are performed virtually over the internet in most cases but he can perform home evaluations as well. Garrett states, “It's a very convenient setup for students. It's also an easy commute for me. They can learn from home, on their schedule. I like to use real life examples of websites, and apps that I use, to help them see how technology can give them more independence.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Garrett Mosley became involved in the federation as different friends invited him to participate. “I started getting more involved in 2017 when I noticed how much the NFB does and how helpful the organization is for blind people.” Garrett reports that, “The Darlington Chapter of the NFB of SC is going well. I just got a call from someone last week wanting to meet with us. Our chapter is looking forward to doing some fundraising to help out.” Last year's state convention was Garrett’s first, and he really enjoyed it, although he has not yet attended a national one. Asked about his hobbies, Garrett replies that, “I enjoy reading, both BARD books and articles on the internet. I also listen to YouTube a lot since you can learn just about anything there.” Garrett currently attends Soul's Harbor Pentecostal Holiness Church. He is a Lion's Club member in the Darlington chapter, and he looks forward to their working together to help our community. As you can see, Garrett is living the life he wants while helping many other blind South Carolinians to do the same.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “This year I did something different. Instead of celebrating the first day of a birthday, I celebrated the last day of being a year younger.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>