[Nfbwv-talk] CHARLENE UPDATE

[Jack Yahnke]

Thanks, Ed.  She has been in my thoughts since I returned from the
convention.  I won't bother her for a week or two to be sure.

Keep us posted if you hear anything more.

Jack


-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbwv-talk [mailto:nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed
McDonald via Nfbwv-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 6:48 PM
To: 'nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org' <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ed McDonald <ed at eioproductions.com>
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] CHARLENE UPDATE

Dear Colleagues,

I am sure most of you know by now that our president, Charlene Smyth,
celebrated her birthday on Saturday, seated in a wheel chair, surrounded by
her Federation family.

Her fall occurred Friday afternoon in a hotel meeting room, following the
meeting of the Braille Literacy Division. A few hours later she returned
from the emergency room with a stabilizing wrap on her left leg, and she
spent the remainder of the weekend on wheels.

With a wireless microphone and a little help from her friends, she chaired
the convention in fine style. She took part in all of the evening
activities, and we all enjoyed birthday cake with her at the banquet.

On Monday she had a follow-up visit with her doctor and learned that the
fracture of the bone in her leg extends up into the knee joint. She was
fitted with a brace which will immobilize the leg but will allow for a
gradual increase in range of motion as the injury heals. Her estimated
recovery time is two to three months.

At this time she is at home in her Bridgeport apartment, where she says she
is able to move about in her wheel chair. I understand that she is getting
some help to reorganize her surroundings a bit, in order to be as
comfortable, mobile, and independent as possible. I am sure it is safe to
assume that she will be doing as much NFB work as her strength and energy
will allow.

She has asked me to remind you that you can reach her by cell phone at
304-841-1111, but not at her office phone number or e-mail address. If you
want or need to communicate with her by e-mail, use her Federation address:

president at nfbwv.org

I am also sure that she will be posting to this list with updates and
details as soon as it is convenient to get to her computer.

Meanwhile, we all wish her a quick and complete recovery. She will be in our
thoughts and prayers, and we all need to do whatever we can to build on the
success and continue the momentum we experienced during our convention.

Cordially,

Ed