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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;color:#1F497D'> Good morning,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Look! The NFB of SC sponsored one of our newest at large chapter members and I think we need to pat each other on the back. This is exactly what we are supposed to do to support each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Ed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“<b>BLIND FIT GIRL”</b> <b>TRAINING FOR PARALYMPIC GAMES</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>At six months of age, Erica Powell was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Retinoblastoma which resulted in fourteen bilateral tumors in her eyes. With the help of the country’s best doctors, a loving family, and a community of support, Erica was treated and has been cancer free for over twenty years. As a result of Erica’s radiation treatment, she now experiences progressive vision loss. She is totally blind in her left eye and can see only large shapes and colors from her right eye. Thankfully, Erica was raised to focus on all of the things she could do, achieve, and be, instead of dwelling on her vision loss. Because of her tenacious mindset, Erica has always worked to break the barriers that are often experienced by people with disabilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>Erica grew up as a high-level competition gymnast which led her to receive a scholarship to Clemson as a Cheerleader. Upon graduating college, Erica knew she was not finished competing athletically. She began running track and field in March of 2019 and was performing at a competitive level and hitting “emerging athlete standards” in her practices which caught the interested of the USA Paralympic National Team. Thanks to support from generous organizations like the Salem Lions Club and the SC National Federation of the Blind, Erica was able to travel to international competitions trying to improve her times. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Since beginning her journey with her first meet in May of 2019, Erica has been invited to the Elite Athlete Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA on several occasions. Her performance in the 100m sprint has qualified her to receive daily training, strength and conditioning, and meal plans from Olympic coaches. Her goal is to compete on Team USA at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this summer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Salem Lions are very proud of Erica and pleased to have the opportunity to help support this amazing young lady. Their sponsorship has helped Erica travel to events twice where her progress as a sprinter has risen to the level of a potential Paralympian. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Erica is hard at work training twice a day in Greenville, SC, with remote support from her Olympic coaches. She plans to travel to the Olympic Training Center multiple times this year in preparation for competition starting in March. Erica hopes to meet the team standard in the 100m, 400m, and/or Javelin throw and become an official member of Team USA before June 2020. If necessary, she will still have an opportunity to make the team by competing in the Paralympic Trials at the end of June. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> When you ask Erica about her main goals, she will tell you (1) competing for Team USA in the Tokyo Games, and (2) to break down negative stereotypes and barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. <span style='color:#1F497D'>~</span>Go Erica, Go!!! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>