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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>Hey NFB Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome to another edition of getting to know our members! Today, we’ll get to know more about Karin Jernberg and Joe Gatzek. Last time we learned about Jenny Blinsmon; she’s heard from Leader Dogs and has been accepted into their program! Congrads, Jenny!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin Jernberg: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin comes to us via Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Member since 2016. She has belonged to the Fairfax and Greater Alexandria Chapters and is currently a member of the Potomac Chapter ; she is also a Member of the Seniors Division. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin has been active in many aspects of our NFBV. She has been on the Potomac Board of Directors, she has worked with our RISE Students, participated in Career Fairs, she has come out for white cane days and a technology fair in Potomac. She has attended National and State Conventions in person and virtually. During the Pandemic, she whole heartedly contributed to zoom calls in many of our NFB Affiliate’s.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When Karin is hanging out in her free time, she is an avid reader and a member of the Potomac Book club. She loves to cook and experiments with many vegan recipes, I’ve snagged a few from her, YUMMIE! Karin may be glimpsed singing and dancing in her kitchen, don’t tell. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin and her fur baby, Bliss, can be seen walking around the neighborhood and having doggie playdates, just for fun! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin has discovered Braille and has participated in the Braille Readers are Leaders Competition for the last three years! She started by reading 20 minutes per day reading children’s books and now reads adult books for hours at a time, what determination! She recently completed a two week stint at VDBI where she learned some new techniques and was evaluated; she will now be working with a representative from VDBI to further her A. T. and Braille skills! Always learning, way to go Karin! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Karin has been adapting to her blindness by learning from other NFB Members such as Sandy Halverson, who taught her how to knit non visually. Karin says “I know I can do everything I want to do. I learn new skills everyday and have had the pleasure of teaching and empowering other blind members!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She is a valued member of the Membership Committee; she is one of the facilitators of our new Journey thru blindness zoom, starting on Monday, February 10<sup>th</sup> from 7 thru 9 PM on our affiliate’s zoom! Check it out. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>she wants to get to know you! Karin says “We’re all walking each other home. I have a lot of learning to do, and I don’t want to stop. I’ll continue to get help along the way and helping others on the path. Through personal stories or their skills, everyone has something to teach me and I hope I have things to share as well. I hope to be as generous to others as I’ve been given.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Gatzek:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe is a native; he was born in Richmond and grew up in Waynesboro Virginia. He was and still is a bit of a rascal! Joe spent some time at the Hargrave Military Academy before graduating from Waynesboro High School. Joe is a computer wiz, he received his preliminary training from J. Sargent Reynolds and his Associate Degree from ECPI. He worked in, out and all around computers for 15 years before changing careers and working in construction. Joe has done electrical , HVAC, and plumbing work. He’s a Mister Fix It and he says “If I can’t fix it, I’ll break it, LOL.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe is an active member of our Richmond Chapter, and a member of our Seniors Division. He worked, hard, at our last State Convention! He was there, almost as much as I was, in registration! He helped make the rookie roundup fun and very successful. Joe could be seen guiding people to various meetings, always with a smile on his face and a lilt in his step. Caring, thoughtful and always willing to help are ways people describe Joe, I agree!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe attended one of our Silver Bells weekends, he says “I learned so many non visual ways to do everyday things, I enjoyed it very much and I wear my learning shades around the house and when I’m out and about! It’s an experience I would recommend to everyone 55 years and older.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He loves animals, especially dogs, he dog sits for his sister and brother in law whenever they go away. He has a Yorkie Poo named Ruby, she’s an older lady and has Joe wrapped around her paw. If the dogs in his life could talk, they’d call him the cookie man, no he doesn’t spoil any of them at all LOL. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Did I mention, Joe is a computer geek?! He likes to tinker with computers for fun and entertainment too. He also likes watching funny court cases on You Tube. He’s into music as well; he’s learning to play the drums and he listens to music, all the time and all types. “I don’t really get into Rap; I like it better when the musicians sing, not just talk.” Joe is a social creature, he enjoys being with people learning from them and hanging out. If he had an all expenses covered trip, he would go to Europe. He’d want to see the history and eat! Joe says he’s a foodie and will try, almost, any food. Brave man!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Don’t be surprised to get a phone call from Joe! He wants to get to know our NFB Members more and maybe even plan a social event with you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corresponding Secretary NFBV<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Membership Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:membership@nfbv.org">mailto:membership@nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)354-4170">tel:(757)354-4170</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>STRONGER TOGETHER!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>