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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Hello Families and Supporters,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">I pray you are all doing well and staying warm during the
colder weather we\u2019ve been having.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">It was such a pleasure reconnecting with many of you in
person during our Blind Parents Group meeting at the 79th Annual NFBO State
Convention. We were honored to have our National Representative Pam Allen join
us for this special gathering. One of the highlights was creating Proud Jars,
which included:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Glow sticks \u2013 symbolizing how our children light up our
world.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Logo pieces \u2013 representing how we build our children up.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">3D printed hearts designed by Sydney Douglas, daughter of
Masquenada Douglas, symbolizing love because without love, we cannot raise
successful children.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">These were just a few of the meaningful items included in
our Proud Jars.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Meeting Updates<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Please note:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">We will not have a Zoom meeting this month due to our
in-person gathering at the convention.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">We will not meet in December in observance of the holidays.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">We\u2019re excited to share a list of resources provided by our
guest speaker, Mrs. Genevieve Hernandez, MS, LMHC, LPC, a licensed
psychotherapist who presented on \u201cBalancing Parenting and Mental Health During
the Winter\u201d on October 26, 2025.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">You can also listen to Mrs. Hernandez\u2019s presentation via
Simple Voice Box:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> Phone Number: (641) 715-3900<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Extension: 217211# <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Simple Voice Box Key Functions:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Press 2 \u2013 rewind 30 seconds<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Press 3 \u2013 skip forward 30 seconds<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Press 8 \u2013 pause/resume<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Press 0 \u2013 skip to the end of the message<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">To our Pennsylvania family thank you for your
continued support. You\u2019ll also find Pennsylvania-specific resources below,
shared by Mrs. Hernandez.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><b>Resource List</b><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">National and Local Weather Information<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Stay informed with weather alerts, forecasts, and hurricane
updates: The Weather Channel<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Find sunrise/sunset times and daylight hours by city: <a href="http://weather.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">weather.com</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Ohio Psychological Association<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Mental health resources and group information in Ohio: <a href="https://ohpsych.org/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">https://ohpsych.org/</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA)<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Mental health resources and group information in
Pennsylvania: <a href="https://www.papsy.org/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">https://www.papsy.org/</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment \u2013 Mayo Clinic<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Learn how to choose a light box for managing Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD)<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">American Psychological Association (APA)<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Explore the latest psychology topics, research, and updates:
<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">https://www.apa.org/topics</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span>Resource shared by </span>
<span style="color:initial">Pennsylvania Organization of Blind Parents </span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">
The Salvation Army has an Angel Tree Program where they give Christmas gifts to kids.
<br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><a href="https://saangeltree.org/">https://saangeltree.org/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please
feel free to contact:<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><span lang="PT-BR">Chair:
Masquenada Douglas \u2013 E: <a href="mailto:masquenadadouglas@icloud.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline">masquenadadouglas@icloud.com</a></span><span> <span lang="PT-BR"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif">Co-Chair: Ivory Thomas \u2013 E: <span lang="PT-BR"><a href="mailto:ivory193@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration:underline"><span lang="EN-CA">ivory193@gmail.com</span></a></span>
<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"> <span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif"><b><i> </i></b></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif"><i>Ivory Thomas</i></span></b></div><div><b>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</b></div><div><i>Board of Directors,</i></div><div><i> Promotion and Publicity Committee</i></div>\U0001f4e7 <a rel="noopener">ivory193@gmail.com</a><div><i><b><font size="4" face="garamond, times new roman, serif" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)" color="#8e7cc3"><br></font></b></i></div><div><font size="4">"The one thing that's worse than being visually impaired is having sight with no VISION!"</font></div></div></div></div></div>