<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>The Northern Virginia and Richmond sessions have been successfully delivered. We have firmly lived up to our promise of helping blind seniors ages 55 and older achieve new heights of independence through hands-on exercises, well-rounded discussions, and a huge sense of camaraderie. By all accounts, they were both a smashing success. Consider these testimonials:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>MARYCAROL: "I was in a great panic. I had never known anyone totally blind and did not know how you moved. People can do these things. So many positive attitudes. I am very encouraged by the teachers and sharing experiences. I am very grateful."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PEGGY: "When I walked in here, I was a wreck. Everybody had a stick and I did not. It was intimidating. I was unarmed. After three days of jumping sticks, I’m not afraid of sticks any more. You taught us skills which we would have learned eventually the hard way. What you gave to us is that there’s not a person on staff who was a downer. You could not come as a downer and leave as a downer."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>KLAUS: "I looked on this weekend as a Mount Everest challenge. I wasn't sure whether I could handle the business of going between – to and from locations in a place I didn’t know. It went very well. I am grateful. Thank you for the goodies. They were unexpected. I was blown away by the Braille thing. Another benefit to me: My wife has dementia. I want to learn how to build a better support structure, and am getting a better handle on that. I’m interested in things that will make my life easier. I'm gratified to hear that Alexa, JAWS and Dragon Speak will give me things to do so. Amen, brother."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And now, Silver BELLS is hitting the road for the final session. We’re coming to Virginia Beach the weekend of June 9<sup>th</sup> through the 12<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Do you live in that region and think you might be interested in participating? If so, we have already crossed the halfway mark in the enrollment. This was before the dates were formally announced. Now that we have solidified the weekend, we anticipate quickly reaching capacity for the third time. So again, we urge you, please do not wait to register if you think you have the desire, stamina, and eagerness to be a part of this wildly successful program.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We’re so confident in our numbers that a Meet and Greet almost did not seem necessary; however, since we held Meet and Greets for the first two sessions, it seemed only fair to hold one ahead of Virginia Beach as well. This Meet and Greet will be your final opportunity to hear from participants who went through the first two sessions, to hear from the instructors, and to ask all your questions before registering.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When: Monday, May 2 from 7 to 9 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where: Zoom. See login details below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you’re ready to register, secure your spot now by going to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfbv.org/register">https://nfbv.org/register</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are not ready for Silver BELLS yourself, but know of someone who is, please help us by sharing the information!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Questions? Please contact our program coordinator, Sandy Halverson, at: 703-400-6890, or via email at: silverbells@nfbv.org.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here’s the Zoom info for the Meet and Greet on May 2. We hope to see you there!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Zoom Link:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09">https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>tel: +13017158592,,8297256345# <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Telephone Dial: 1 (301) 715-8592<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 829 725 6345# <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If needed the password is 20201940<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To your success,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Silver BELLS Team<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>