<div dir="auto">Hey Saddie:</div><div>Awesome to hear from you.</div><div>I\u2019ll continue to pray your efforts as well and I will be planning to come to convention this year. I am already helping out with the planning community for it in the media landscape so that\u2019s for sure. exciting so keep up the good work and looking forward to staying in touch!</div><div> All the best,</div><div>Preston.</div><div><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2026 at 8:03\u202fPM Sadie McFarland via NFBP-Talk <<a href="mailto:nfbp-talk@nfbnet.org">nfbp-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto"><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Good evening, Federation family!</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share a few updates and reconnect with the community.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>During convention, I shared with many of you that I had taken on a new role as a front desk clerk at the Homewood Suites Downtown Pittsburgh. This role has been a huge blessing, but also brought some incredibly difficult challenges, both physically and accessibility wise. Between standing on my feet for 40 hours a week and dealing with Hilton\u2019s property management system, which for some reason doesn\u2019t have accessibility features built in, I\u2019ve found this role just isn\u2019t quite the fit I need long-term.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>With that in mind, I am excited to share that I will soon be transitioning into a new role with Blink Health as a Patient Support Specialist. This position is based in the Carnegie area and begins July 27. It is a call center role that offers a seated, more accessible work environment and a stronger foundation for long-term career growth. I am grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to this next chapter.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Before starting this role, I also have the opportunity to serve at Passion Camp in Daytona Beach, Florida this summer. This will be my third year serving at Passion Camp, which brings together thousands of middle and high school students and their leaders each year. I will be serving alongside a large team of volunteers supporting that experience.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Beyond the service itself, one of the most meaningful parts of this opportunity is the chance to engage in conversations around disability, access, and advocacy. Some of the most impactful discussions I\u2019ve had in past years have centered not only on encouragement and faith, but also on navigating life as a blind person, self-advocacy, and learning how to thrive in environments that are not always designed with us in mind.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>I\u2019m excited for this upcoming week of service, and there are two ways you can get involved if you would like to support this work.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-family:UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody;font-weight:bold">1. Bracelet Donations</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Last year, I helped distribute rubber-band bracelets at camp, and they quickly became a meaningful and popular encouragement item for students. This year, I\u2019m hoping to expand that effort by gathering as many handmade bracelets as possible ahead of time.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>If you are interested in contributing, I would love to connect. I am happy to meet in person when possible, or arrange mailing if that is easier. If anyone is interested in helping but unsure how to make them, I\u2019m also happy to share a simple tutorial.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span style="font-family:UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody;font-weight:bold">2. Financial Support</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>As many of us know, travel can be expensive\u2014especially when you\u2019re blind or low vision. Between transportation, accessibility considerations, and the added planning that often comes with independent travel, the costs can add up quickly.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>If you would like to support this effort financially, you may do so through my GoFundMe:</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><a href="https://gofund.me/13db843e6" target="_blank">https://gofund.me/13db843e6</a></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>For those who prefer not to use GoFundMe, I also accept direct contributions via:</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Cash App: $SadieMcFarland</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br>Venmo: @sadiemc01</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br>PayPal: @sadiemc01</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>Please know there is absolutely no expectation or pressure to contribute. Your encouragement, prayers, and continued connection within this community are equally meaningful to me.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal;min-height:34px"><span></span><br></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>I also want to acknowledge that I\u2019ve been fairly quiet over the past stretch when it comes to staying actively involved with the Pittsburgh chapter and broader organizing efforts. Life became very full, and I simply didn\u2019t have the capacity I would have liked to give.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>That said, I deeply appreciate this community and I am looking forward to reconnecting in a more intentional way. I\u2019m also looking forward to attending convention in Hershey this year.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span>With a more stable work schedule ahead, I\u2019m hopeful that I can begin to re-engage more consistently and contribute to strengthening the presence and engagement of the NFB of Pennsylvania community in Pittsburgh.</span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal">Have a blessed evening!</p><p style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-feature-settings:normal"><span><br></span></p><div dir="ltr">Blessings, <div>Sadie M. McFarland</div><div>Owner at Beautifully Blind Art By Sadie</div><div>B. S. Marketing, Messiah University</div><div><a href="mailto:sadiemc01@gmail.com" target="_blank">sadiemc01@gmail.com</a></div><div>(740) 827-5613</div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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