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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What does it mean to be blind?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When I started to loose my sight I thought it meant my life was over. I thought it meant isolation and loss of my independence, . I thought it meant people would look at me with pity. I thought it meant I would loose my business and never be able to work again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now I have a different answer to that question. I know losing my sight means alternate ways of doing things. It means advocating for myself. It means power, strength, grit, and resiliency <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What’s the difference between the too? The NFB Of Virginia. When I found the NFB or should I say, it found me, I knew things would be alright. Don’t get me wrong, I was still scared but I knew things would work out. I found a group of like minded people who were figuring it out together. TOGETHER is the key word. If you are a part of this NFB Family, you know what I mean. If you’re just learning about us, WELCOME and we’re happy you are here!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please join us at our NFB of Virginia State Convention. It is anywhere and everywhere over zoom and it runs from Sunday, October 24<sup>th</sup> through Sunday, October 31<sup>st</sup>. Please go to <a href="www.NFBV.org/Registration">www.NFBV.org/Registration</a> to be a part of the difference.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'><br>Peace,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Corresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<br><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="tel:(757)291-1789" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>tel:(757)291-1789</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Follow us on Twitter @NFBVirginia<br>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Live the life you want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>