tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-688417866020587542024-03-19T07:59:18.500-04:00Americans with Disability AwarenessAdvocacy, Awareness and Job Information for Americans with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00720134770182893075noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-37533800522197271652018-09-14T13:06:00.000-04:002018-09-20T13:57:36.256-04:00Exclusive Interview with Ms Wheelchair California<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Krystina Jackson, who currently holds the title of Ms. Wheelchair California, recently competed in Grand Rapids, MI for the national title. While there, she learned a lot about disability and how to be an effective advocate and a leader in the disability community. NTI’s Mike Sanders spoke with her about her experience, what she learned, and how she is making plans for the future. Finding a balance in her life with all of her interests and passions is imperative because she has big plans and a huge amount of drive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Listen to how her story about how her hopes to be a professional soccer player ended after a snowboarding accident left her paralyzed, and how she found a new passion after she had a chance to heal and accept her new limitations. Her love of competition led to her starting a small business and to her success as a competitor for Ms. Wheelchair. She is now a huge advocate for the disability community, and her advice is to just “Jump In!” There are only two outcomes she says, “you will either win, or you will learn,” both of which make the experience worth it. In addition to being an entrepreneur and encouraging others with a disability to start a business, she is also employed through NTI. As a customer service representative, she works from home thanks to the services of NTI! She shares how she got her job and tips for success in getting a work-at-home job through NTI! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Follow along with Krystina on her journey advocating for individuals with disabilities on the following social media platforms:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/krystinamwca18" target="_blank">KrystinaMWCA18</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mswheelchairca18/" target="_blank">MSWheelchairCA18</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Website: <a href="https://www.mwcaleadership.org/">MWCALeadership.org</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Etsy: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/GUSTOByKW" target="_blank">www.GustoByKW.etsy.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:MSWheelchairCA2018@gmail.com">MSWheelchairCA2018@gmail.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you would like to work with NTI in order to find a new position like Krystina did, <a href="http://bit.ly/RegisterLikeMSWheelchairCali" target="_blank">visit and register at NTI today</a>. </span><br />
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com241California, USA36.778261 -119.4179323999999823.886426 -140.07222939999997 49.670096 -98.763635399999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-12493663242135008192018-06-09T07:00:00.000-04:002018-06-09T07:00:08.910-04:00The Rare Path of Transverse Myelitis<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NTI advocates around the world for disability, and we are happy
when our efforts make a difference in the lives of people who use our job
services. But we are even more thrilled when our efforts draw people to us
because they see the work we do and they want to be a part. NTI employee
Jennifer Agersea was drawn to apply for a position at NTI after seeing the work
we do, and we are lucky to have her now be a part of NTI’s team! Jen was drawn
to our disability advocacy efforts because at the age of 12 she suddenly lost
the use of her legs and within about 24 hours was paralyzed from the waist
down. Testing eventually led to a diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Transverse
myelitis (TM) is a rare inflammation of the spinal cord; only about 1400 new cases
are diagnosed each year in the United States. Doctors are not always sure what
causes it, but it is known to sometimes be the result of an infection or
autoimmune disease. In Jen’s case, doctors suspect TM was somehow associated
with the flu which she had prior to her diagnosis. The condition disrupts the
normal flow of information from the nerves in the spine to the brain and vice
versa and thus can lead to pain, weakness, and paralysis. Jen’s lower spine was
affected which is what led to her sudden paralysis from the waist down.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because the disease is rare, many medical professionals are
unfamiliar with it, even today. The night Jen’s parents took her to the ER
because she couldn’t move her legs, doctors thought maybe her symptoms were
psychosomatic or she was faking it to get out of going to school. Because many
doctors have no experience with TM, many people choose to become their own
advocates to teach family, friends, employers, and even doctors more about the
condition. TM affects people of all ages and backgrounds without respect for
gender or race and as far as researchers can tell it doesn’t have a genetic
component. There is no cure for TM, and recovery, if it happens at all, can
take months or even years. Treatment for the disease includes medication to
alleviate symptoms and make people with TM more comfortable. Jen was lucky that
after several months of intense physical therapy she was able to walk again
with the use of first a walker and then braces on her legs. Throughout her
journey, which has included several surgeries on her feet, Jen’s mom has been
her rock and spent countless hours ferrying her to and from doctor’s
appointments and therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jen acknowledges that her journey with TM has affected not only
her life, but the lives of her friends and family on whom she has relied for
support and encouragement. And now Jen is ready to pay it forward to other’s
who are on their own journey with TM. Jen plans to volunteer her time at a camp
for children diagnosed with TM. She is also participating in the Massachusetts
Walk-Run-N-Roll sponsored by The Transverse Myelitis Association. The Walk is
scheduled to be held in Danvers, MA at Endicott Park on Saturday October 13,
2018. NTI is looking forward to participating in this and other events as part
of our ongoing advocacy efforts for disability. For more information about the
walk for TM visit their Facebook page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MAWalkRunNRoll/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.facebook.com/MAWalkRunNRoll/</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">Many people diagnosed with transverse
myelitis do find relief is possible through medication and therapy. With
lifestyle changes and the support of friends and family, symptoms can be
managed if not completely eliminated. For those who want to work from home in
order to reduce stress, there are options available. NTI helps those diagnosed
with transverse myelitis and other disabilities find suitable employment. If
you would like to learn more about NTI’s job services call us at 877-248-8912
or visit </span><a href="http://www.nticentral.org/"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.NTIcentral.org</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"> <span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kate Brouse lives in southwest Florida and works as the Public Relations Administrator for NTI. A sometimes author and an avid reader, she is the frequent recipient of choice gestures from drivers who find her stationary vehicle an annoyance </span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">at green lights </span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">as she </span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">is finishing a paragraph</span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> at a light that moments ago had been red</span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW38276640" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW65155626" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Outreach_NTI" target="_blank">@</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW65155626" style="background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Outreach_NTI" target="_blank">Outreach_NTI</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span></div>
<br />Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com105Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-29337088040518194122018-05-25T15:26:00.000-04:002018-06-08T15:30:28.419-04:00Riding to Remember: Lee's RIDE to End Alzheimer’s <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW223012884" style="background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;">
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">After an exhausting 10-hour shift, he comes home to get his bike and rides at least 40 miles each day. It's the same rigorous routine for the past three months to prepare for his journey. June 9th is his target along with 500 other riders as they are focused on the RIDE to End Alzheimer’s. Lee along with Lee the family and friends that support him hopes through his efforts a cure can be found for Alzheimer's. Like many who participate, they have been touched in their lives through a loved one who have experienced this debilitating disease. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lee Johnson, riding in the RIDE to End Alzheimer's</span></td></tr>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sometimes referred to as “Old Timer’s Disease,” Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the 6</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" data-fontsize="12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: super;">th</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> leading cause of death in the U.S. It is also the only top-ten killer that is so little understood. Doctors and researchers are stymied on how to prevent, slow the advance of, or cure Alzheimer’s.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">D</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">isease and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> As anyone who has seen a loved one slowly lose their memories and ability for self-care can testify, the loss is heartbreaking. People with AD can lose the ability to recognize their own families</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and/or </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">caregivers</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and can experience profound and disturbing behavior</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">al</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> changes.</span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" paraeid="{780d4e49-ef6f-440d-b52f-710b1ae6f7de}{181}" paraid="1917718252" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Understandably, people who have had close contact with a person with AD want to see further research </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">to find ways to</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> preven</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">t</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and treat</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> this disease, especially since some variations of AD </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">are</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> passed genetically from one generation to the next. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Noonan family</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is one example. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Julia Noonan, Irish</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">-</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">American mother of 10 children, lived with her family outside Boston</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> in the 1960s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at 43, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Noonan</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> had been exhibiting signs for </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">four years prior. The disease killed her in her mid-fifties</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">; </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">of her 10 children, five were statistically likely to carry the same gene for the disease that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">took</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> their mother. To date, three of the 10 have died </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">from Alzheimer’s </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">and the family has been the subject of a</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">n Emmy-winning</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">PBS’s </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">documentary</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.pbs.org/program/forgetting/" target="_blank">The</a></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.pbs.org/program/forgetting/" target="_blank"> Forgetting</a>.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_j80fO_MHPCLO99dqSKsF2Uel3xFf_evfIqFSqAv5wprAzQArXfW1g-H3kjdxtfr28JSKTPf_aI79uZIaWs0WX9Fiw49YgHKOTLMQPDsf0B3aWpf2n6_Eb46VW4V-C0tmcqS8Ke5jo/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="916" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6_j80fO_MHPCLO99dqSKsF2Uel3xFf_evfIqFSqAv5wprAzQArXfW1g-H3kjdxtfr28JSKTPf_aI79uZIaWs0WX9Fiw49YgHKOTLMQPDsf0B3aWpf2n6_Eb46VW4V-C0tmcqS8Ke5jo/s400/3.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A screenshot from the <span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US">PBS’s </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US">documentary</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US">The</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Forgetting"</span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">As part of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">outreach and advocacy efforts</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> for AD, the Noonan family</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> partnered with The Alzheimer’s Association</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">yearly fundraiser</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">: a b</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ike </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ride where individuals and families participate to raise funds for AD research</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. To date, “The RIDE to End Alzheimer’s” has raised over $5,000,000.00. Ninety-percent goes directly to research grants, and 10% stays right within the community </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">near </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">where the event takes place: </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Ordiorne</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> State Park in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Rye, NH.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> This year the ride in on June 9.</span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDg3k6kbTDnXZpH7FoJUgmLATanV80gpUbNbOufRIlDO0NG3HFUVzDzx56Le7hXqlPYIbuGJdDy8LWK_TeRCd49552Wbqh8vIJCBkaiAx5f0uqqmO5f1CVEa3rF4ez-7Sv__vh-IWdRI/s1600/Lee_Ride1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDg3k6kbTDnXZpH7FoJUgmLATanV80gpUbNbOufRIlDO0NG3HFUVzDzx56Le7hXqlPYIbuGJdDy8LWK_TeRCd49552Wbqh8vIJCBkaiAx5f0uqqmO5f1CVEa3rF4ez-7Sv__vh-IWdRI/s320/Lee_Ride1.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Riding in the RIDE to end Alzheimer's </span></td></tr>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lee </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Norwood, MA</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> has participated in the ride </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">for the past 7 years</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lee </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">watched his great-grandmother suffer with Alzheimer’s and knows there is a chance he too could develop the disease as he ages. Since he loves to bike, raising money and awareness through the local RIDE event just made sense</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to him</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Each year</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">h</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">e commits to ride </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">100</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> miles. The minimum</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">amount required to raise as a participant in the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">100</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> mile</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ride is $</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">75</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">0.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lee </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">gets support and funding from friends and family in his community.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> You can feel free to donate here: </span><b><a href="http://bit.ly/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: cyan; color: blue;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light", "calibri light_msfontservice", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">bit.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light", "calibri light_msfontservice", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ly</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light", "calibri light_msfontservice", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://bit.ly/LEE4ALZ2018" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: cyan; color: blue;">/LEE4ALZ2018</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">.</span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn_QawtntquAWSMMxmJbGPHvKB6aB7W3ILv79zhNCdY6S-uK5vx4dhIxZiCCHHVNdvfQRwLJtKESZTjpIDhV4PUWNYgRChPbS0Oxn_K_vfGX61rNc2THqPvi145kXJWrYzmEoBDsj-Js/s1600/Lee_Ride2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixn_QawtntquAWSMMxmJbGPHvKB6aB7W3ILv79zhNCdY6S-uK5vx4dhIxZiCCHHVNdvfQRwLJtKESZTjpIDhV4PUWNYgRChPbS0Oxn_K_vfGX61rNc2THqPvi145kXJWrYzmEoBDsj-Js/s320/Lee_Ride2.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee poses outside L.L. Bean at Legacy Place</td></tr>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Three months prior to the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">RIDE</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lee </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">begins his yearly training. Daily rides after he gets off work at L.L. Bean help him get in shape </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">as he builds up his endurance. Even though there are days that he is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">tired</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> or the weather is bad and he doesn’t feel like riding, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> always gets out there to train. “It’s mental…some days you don’t feel like it, but if you don’t do it, you won’t succeed,” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> said. </span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IEZAjOZUAUC64QhiH1uoZVoBxdHBmHBmN4Zi5ceI5iFutgguJlKIU-Vu4468bncJbA31cYXRrNTn-w0piMBmH7IfJeeb_Xb9mSEUzZhrKJh-yjiX4ouUjaQf42GMFJlvKc1wUGIts5E/s1600/Alzheimer-2951-resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="800" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IEZAjOZUAUC64QhiH1uoZVoBxdHBmHBmN4Zi5ceI5iFutgguJlKIU-Vu4468bncJbA31cYXRrNTn-w0piMBmH7IfJeeb_Xb9mSEUzZhrKJh-yjiX4ouUjaQf42GMFJlvKc1wUGIts5E/s400/Alzheimer-2951-resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riders participating in the RIDE to End Alzheimer's (courtesy of Alzheimer's Association).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" paraeid="{d084e625-669b-4a6d-acc2-f129790c9750}{90}" paraid="1394592736" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" paraeid="{d084e625-669b-4a6d-acc2-f129790c9750}{90}" paraid="1394592736" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Lee's</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">parents, knowing the possibility that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">he</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> could develop Alzheimer’s, are very supportive of his fundraising efforts. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hi</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">s sister and her husband always donate to the ride, often donating an amount just under the required minimal goal so that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> will remain inspired to get more funding from other people and spread awareness. Humble and shy of the spotlight, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> assures people he does this not for himself, but because he enjoys riding and wants to support the cause. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">says</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">it is common for participants to pin the names of loved ones </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">affected by AD to their jerseys and that </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">he</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> finds renewed encouragement when he sees that, as it reminds him of his great-grandmother and the importance of ongoing research for treatment and cure.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2jpCFeYmU9Dgcdjinp-zYivlqESEzwqyGg9MZBwIorOzDcmCOz55zriMkp987FIAFccetQ8XMoqwDvp9NPkn25xHEuREZdbRq_fTzl0sH5GMrKX_iwTrLOLvmJtaWb4jj7nuQODMqwA/s1600/Lee_Ride3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2jpCFeYmU9Dgcdjinp-zYivlqESEzwqyGg9MZBwIorOzDcmCOz55zriMkp987FIAFccetQ8XMoqwDvp9NPkn25xHEuREZdbRq_fTzl0sH5GMrKX_iwTrLOLvmJtaWb4jj7nuQODMqwA/s320/Lee_Ride3.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lee posing with his bike outside of the L.L. Bean Legacy Place location.</td></tr>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1414e853-1605-4e44-a321-ba41432daf7b}{83}" paraid="609060676" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">NTI (<a href="http://nticentral.org/">NTICentral.org</a>), an organization that helps individuals with disabilities back into the workforce has sponsored Lee for the last 3 years. When asked</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> why NTI sponsors Lee, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Michael Sanders</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Director of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Marketing at NTI </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">stated</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, "It makes sense. Lee has </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">genuinely </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">embraced </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">helping those with </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alzheimer's</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> through his ability and love of cycling</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> As an</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> organization</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> focused on helping individuals with disabilities, we are proud to sponsor and promote this type of pro-social behavior. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> We would love to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">see this passion i</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">n everyone." </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lee successfully after the finish line in 2016</span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1414e853-1605-4e44-a321-ba41432daf7b}{83}" paraid="609060676" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Paragraph SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1414e853-1605-4e44-a321-ba41432daf7b}{83}" paraid="609060676" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Johnson’s coworkers at L.L. Bean know that he participates in the RIDE, and they are very supportive of him. While Johnson is doing the RIDE on his own</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, the company supports hi</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">s efforts</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and admires his dedication and perseverance. Store Manager Shawn McMullen says </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">L.L. Bean maintains core values of respect and perseverance</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, qualities she sees in Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Shawn went on to say, "</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The company strives to allow their employees to find a positive work/life balance</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and to give their all to not only their customers, but </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">also </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">to their communitie</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> In this, Johnson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">is an exemplary employee. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">McMullen describes Johnson as a “cool cucumber</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> who never gets rattled</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">"</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and she knows Johnson will succeed in his ride. She promises that Johnson’s coworkers will rally around him and his efforts to support a cure. “Lee is dedicated and perseveres. He will achieve his goal and his team at L.L. Bean will support him.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW223012884" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you would like to support Lee and his R</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ide to E</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">nd </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Alzheimer’s</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, visit </span><a href="http://bit.ly/" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">bit.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ly</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><a href="http://bit.ly/LEE4ALZ2018" target="_blank">/LEE4ALZ2018</a> to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">show</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW223012884" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">encouragement</span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> as well as contribute to Lee's fundraising efforts. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223012884" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri light" , "calibri light_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrkgaHHgKh1MubfuaCmbw_ELzmxVHNxFoggLAZ3kHypnXH3lkNOCgCITj21ZF1Bj-fKtdL084ec3uIxa9BKTq6ot0vZJ22FeH5ivTV3M2BFhmlb7SUd-Jz3UB2AM51Odyxwc-NuKyqYI/s1600/Kate+LinkedIn+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrkgaHHgKh1MubfuaCmbw_ELzmxVHNxFoggLAZ3kHypnXH3lkNOCgCITj21ZF1Bj-fKtdL084ec3uIxa9BKTq6ot0vZJ22FeH5ivTV3M2BFhmlb7SUd-Jz3UB2AM51Odyxwc-NuKyqYI/s1600/Kate+LinkedIn+Pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Kate Brouse lives in southwest Florida and works as the Public Relations Administrator for NTI. A sometimes author and an avid reader, she is the frequent recipient of choice gestures from drivers who find her stationary vehicle an annoyance </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">at green lights </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">as she </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">is finishing a paragraph</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> at a light that moments ago had been red</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW38276640" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW38276640" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW38276640" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW65155626" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Outreach_NTI" target="_blank">@</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW65155626" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Outreach_NTI" target="_blank">Outreach_NTI</a></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW65155626" lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW65155626" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com132Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-7228382720201076992018-05-17T07:39:00.002-04:002018-05-17T07:41:22.484-04:00Global Accessibility Awareness Day <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{162}" paraid="1250858680" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">People around the world will be recognizing the Seventh Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on May 17th. (It generally takes place on the third Thursday in May). Too often, people with disabilities encounter significant barriers when trying to gain information through digital channels. For instance, something as simple as navigating a Webpage menu using a mouse may be impossible for those with limited use of their hands. This day is dedicated to encouraging people to think and talk about accessibility and inclusion, especially as they pertain to technology. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8WWSZ9BFE41DYyQf3IUs2He5Elc4U0Ye7tM_3ly9Q6rn2aRHFd2YUlNNQdAedaUtbfJCO8iWlNurghpD_cCxfH5JEBiDMEEFEu44vlXR8cL7h64d57ZQF1iULWzDLdYzOSzrDRMhrW8/s1600/Accessibility_001r.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8WWSZ9BFE41DYyQf3IUs2He5Elc4U0Ye7tM_3ly9Q6rn2aRHFd2YUlNNQdAedaUtbfJCO8iWlNurghpD_cCxfH5JEBiDMEEFEu44vlXR8cL7h64d57ZQF1iULWzDLdYzOSzrDRMhrW8/s320/Accessibility_001r.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{166}" paraid="470461942" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{170}" paraid="778888749" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The occasion was inspired by a blog post penned in 2011 by computer programmer Joe Devon. In the piece, he discusses the importance of Web accessibility for different populations, such as older people or those with visual impairments who rely on a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">screenreader</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to decipher online content. He encourages Web developers to create sites with closed-captioning and related features to make them as user-friendly as possible. He also challenges technology experts to test their innovations to see how accessible they really are. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7glYK1YtbmlABdvAuIyhegLBIQi02erc90eCfEwymAKAtb_klt9SEilarnymBG7OT0X0Feyn_8arMqIgdyBDB2fUOtBmauttfbPp9LiE2gByZeBycTe_o57rgbeKQd8DT2WCmQ49uGkU/s1600/Accessibility_002r.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7glYK1YtbmlABdvAuIyhegLBIQi02erc90eCfEwymAKAtb_klt9SEilarnymBG7OT0X0Feyn_8arMqIgdyBDB2fUOtBmauttfbPp9LiE2gByZeBycTe_o57rgbeKQd8DT2WCmQ49uGkU/s320/Accessibility_002r.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{178}" paraid="1856248391" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{182}" paraid="1313292331" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Web designers are often at a loss as to how to make their sites more user-friendly. A few minor adaptations can make a huge difference. Using a larger font size (16-point), providing text descriptions of images, and allowing keyboard navigation are just a few ways to promote ease-of-use. Providing accessible documents in PDF or Microsoft Office formats enables those who use </span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">screenreaders</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> or Braille translators to accurately review the material. The Job Accommodation Network provides tips for assessing Webpage accessibility and making any necessary modifications. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{190}" paraid="1250481069" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{194}" paraid="245140885" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The federal government's General Service Administration (GSA) recognizes GAAD and has had a tremendous impact on improving electronic accessibility for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. January 2017 saw the passage of the final rule on Section 508of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The rule outlines a revised set of standards for electronic and information technology developed, acquired, used, and maintained by federal agencies. Updates to the Rehabilitation Act ensure that the US government aligns with international accessibility standards. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRiYvO1HYgLYz0KmYrSXOYQgRXjBJItQDimTIwT1kxwNfSAYe2tyTdl2JgUzH-kafiPoTphvTx7Ie41M0AQxPajC9LMRYjx5LaTrPerkK1mHYIXn4cWBmiGx8jGRW0e8HUEeiwzAKas/s1600/LockReq_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kRiYvO1HYgLYz0KmYrSXOYQgRXjBJItQDimTIwT1kxwNfSAYe2tyTdl2JgUzH-kafiPoTphvTx7Ie41M0AQxPajC9LMRYjx5LaTrPerkK1mHYIXn4cWBmiGx8jGRW0e8HUEeiwzAKas/s320/LockReq_4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{198}" paraid="1842662224" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{202}" paraid="1848866521" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">According to Facebook, more than two dozen virtual and in-person events are scheduled to take place on GAAD. The events give people the opportunity to learn more about assistive technology and how Web design can accommodate it. With its emphasis on technology, GAAD offers the flexibility to create events of all types and sizes, making it possible to reach a larger audience. Tim Berners-Lee, who is credited with inventing the World Wide Web, once said, "The power of the Web is in its universality." The goal of GAAD is to make the Web truly universally-accessible. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pV3HRREY1F0Z9aKCqRouiz2gCYnGx3udhRUhyphenhyphennKJlHDPVJf7zXdZNrlJnB3dz35crXSKx7N2lEjoVS_-wHydZRKKlUJEWh7VsXILwo6ORyAyESlD9ATUvgoB02G2TEhiBNsBLYIJ5SE/s1600/Accessibility_005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pV3HRREY1F0Z9aKCqRouiz2gCYnGx3udhRUhyphenhyphennKJlHDPVJf7zXdZNrlJnB3dz35crXSKx7N2lEjoVS_-wHydZRKKlUJEWh7VsXILwo6ORyAyESlD9ATUvgoB02G2TEhiBNsBLYIJ5SE/s320/Accessibility_005.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{210}" paraid="1759705473" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">At NTI, we support initiatives and innovations that augment the capabilities of people with disabilities, and we understand how assistive technology can level the playing field. Therefore, to help further employ individuals with disabilities, we have set up a GoFundMe page to raise $25,000 to build an accessibility lab. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvSw3cSa9ycc-siHyc0uyTBQMg3QUM9h3d0-PgwRJstjC-prUv0-EVSw__NxWMq8wv17plp8R_FN1XqjVxqY8SkAG4yCY9PaHY7w5qMulN_zPMw9blr8JXjqtgzINAjdi-OzlsTkeHR8/s1600/Accessibility_004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvSw3cSa9ycc-siHyc0uyTBQMg3QUM9h3d0-PgwRJstjC-prUv0-EVSw__NxWMq8wv17plp8R_FN1XqjVxqY8SkAG4yCY9PaHY7w5qMulN_zPMw9blr8JXjqtgzINAjdi-OzlsTkeHR8/s320/Accessibility_004.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{214}" paraid="88064519" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{218}" paraid="1298073578" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ALL </span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">funds will be used to cover the costs of assistive software such as JAWS, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">ZoomText</span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, Dragon Speak as well as the computers and hardware accessories that will be needed for testing. Training is also needed in each one of the adaptive software programs tested. We would also like to be able to hire a consultant to help with our assessments. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW72697006" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW72697006" paraeid="{3cf9e030-299e-4d67-a53e-e2356c8af9de}{232}" paraid="1234799569" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you would like to help in this elaborate endeavor, visit snip.ly/GlobalAccess</span><span class="TextRun SCXW72697006" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. In-kind donations will be appreciated as well. </span><span class="EOP SCXW72697006" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-36745914332540545602018-05-16T08:27:00.001-04:002018-05-16T08:27:08.067-04:00National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW221325300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW221325300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW221325300" paraeid="{7cfd350f-8973-49bd-8fd9-f4eabcfdb31e}{158}" paraid="299830937" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 5 million cases are diagnosed each year. It's the most common but also the most preventable type of cancer. About 85-90% of cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet rays. Melanoma, the most serious form of the disease, can spread quickly to other areas of the body. The American Cancer Society predicts that new melanoma diagnoses will total 91,270 this year. Although the risk of developing melanoma increases with age, it's one of the most common cancers among young adults (especially women). Skin cancer is often detected early and is therefore highly-treatable. Doctors usually perform minor surgery to remove malignant moles or growths. Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we're sharing information and resources to help affected individuals and their families advocate for themselves and educate others about a growing epidemic. </span><span class="EOP SCXW221325300" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSKIaGgyJ77xh2KmINcNNy-f2gt_IOzhcafvFS4jO1q_mxdwpEU5Z-GVpYnZZfuZSmeXgMlT5jJ_M7a52tsemCHRztzmIwgydPTwdVau9xLGVMZZp5q75par_3A_YgbV5KO1aNy30DFU/s1600/Sun1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSKIaGgyJ77xh2KmINcNNy-f2gt_IOzhcafvFS4jO1q_mxdwpEU5Z-GVpYnZZfuZSmeXgMlT5jJ_M7a52tsemCHRztzmIwgydPTwdVau9xLGVMZZp5q75par_3A_YgbV5KO1aNy30DFU/s320/Sun1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW221325300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW221325300" paraeid="{7cfd350f-8973-49bd-8fd9-f4eabcfdb31e}{166}" paraid="543178740" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You can get involved in the push to increase skin cancer awareness by learning all you can and sharing this information with your co-workers, friends, and family. This year, public education campaigns are aimed at spreading the message that it's never too early or too late to embrace a sun-safe lifestyle. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">I</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">f you've experienced the disease yourself, you can share your story on social media. Use the hashtag #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW221325300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">MySkinCancerJourney</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> so that others can be encouraged and inspired by your journey. </span><span class="EOP SCXW221325300" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW221325300" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Contrary to popular belief, many people continue working, despite a cancer diagnosis. Employment gives them a sense of normalcy and purpose during a time of difficulties and uncertainty. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If you have skin cancer, receive disability benefits, and would like to go back to work, contact </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">NTI</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> to learn about how we may be able to help. We place people with disabilities in work-from-home positions with various companies</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> through our job-services</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">, some of which are on the Fortune 500 list. We connect our clients to rewarding employment in customer service, quality control, and other areas. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Register today at </span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">bit.ly/</span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW221325300" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">RegisterSkinCancerAwareness</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW221325300" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW221325300" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-13893247191950981732018-04-10T09:33:00.002-04:002018-04-10T09:33:37.763-04:00Country Singers Craig Campbell & Chad Bearden Tackle the Pan-Mass Challenge<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last night, Country Artists Craig Campbell and Chad Bearden successfully joined forces to support Kelly Bernard's Pan-Mass Challenge Charity Event at Loretta's Last Call in Boston. The night was filled with entertainment and excitement as Craig and Chad lit up the venue to raise money for the event. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSpCar-fhyphenhyphen7b4TKRsV9oHzKr7HAZv5bGOJ8tXgLJE6T7AosAvpefteKgWXRg5xcJbnDNjdiqqyHkusK_4bvB_L-gYPbt-gYS-YOgtqn5OYbbQFkIXufam6c-0w8LQL5qnZtlic7zEpdk/s1600/tweet1_pmc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSpCar-fhyphenhyphen7b4TKRsV9oHzKr7HAZv5bGOJ8tXgLJE6T7AosAvpefteKgWXRg5xcJbnDNjdiqqyHkusK_4bvB_L-gYPbt-gYS-YOgtqn5OYbbQFkIXufam6c-0w8LQL5qnZtlic7zEpdk/s320/tweet1_pmc.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute during National Cancer Control Month. The PMC event brings together thousands of cyclists, volunteers, donors and sponsors to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kelly Bernard is one of those cyclists who rides and supports the Pan-Mass Challenge. 10 years ago, Kelly herself was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. With the help of the doctors and nurses at the Dana Farber Institute and The Jimmy Fund Clinic using the latest in innovative treatment techniques she is now leukemia-free. Not only is she a leukemia survivor, but has gone on to become an Pediatric Oncology Nurse at the Boston Children's Hospital; on the same floor in which she was once treated. At the event, her fellow nurses came to support her cause. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the Pan-Mass Challenge, Kelly will ride 168 miles across Massachusetts for her second time. If you would like to support her efforts and help her find a search for the cure, visit and contribute to her Pan-Mass Challenge page here <a href="http://profile.pmc.org/kb0367%C2%A0" target="_blank">http://profile.pmc.org/kb0367 </a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">NTI has helped many individuals who have come back from cancer find work through our job services. If you are on SSI or SSDI, and would like to learn more, visit NTI at <a href="http://bit.ly/Pan-MassChallenge">bit.ly/Pan-MassChallenge</a>.</span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com134Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-89878954536617472172018-03-17T09:48:00.003-04:002018-03-17T09:48:42.176-04:00The Luck of the Irish in Your Job Search<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW230764081" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-82583513133403617732018-03-16T08:00:00.000-04:002018-03-16T08:00:13.405-04:00Paralympian Evan Strong (Snowboarding)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Some people born into this world are given names that reflect an aspect of their character and define them. Such is the case with Paralympian Evan Strong, who, faced with life-altering circumstances was not only his own strength, but was also the strength his family depended on to get him through. An avid and talented skateboarder as a youth, Strong had his first sponsor at age 13, and was well on his way to a career as a professional skateboarder when just days before his 18th birthday he was in a head-on collision with a drunk driver. His left leg required amputation below the knee, but Strong, true to his name, never let that change his view of himself as a dedicated athlete. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although he still skateboards, following his accident Strong began snowboarding, and has come to dominate the sport. He has won every title in the sport of para-snowboarding. He also mountain bikes, rock climbs, surfs, and slack lines (similar to tight rope walking). In 2014 para-snowboarding was added to the Paralympics Games in large part due to the efforts of Strong’s campaigning for the sport. Strong, not surprisingly, brought home the gold for Team USA in para-snowboarding in 2014 and just missed a medal in Pyeongchang! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes strength comes from the help of others. NTI has been helping individuals with disabilities and disabled Veterans through their job services for over 25 years. If you know of someone on SSI or SSDI that would like to come back into the workplace, have them register for our free services on our website here goo.gl/dsXU9M. Maybe we can make a difference in their lives too? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVO5wTnBYkBh4XHgc9-1ykJ5BvwmXkAia1_PTsQ7lBbmMxZXqMaAiwGcFU5Uhbrqj22OeTTxR5HuFtUsUSzVunAWMzbIwoMYh77IFpw20uUgo4qHUUI1bLHYrxn07UQMIAjA1iFWXSD0/s1600/EVAN_FACEBOOK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVO5wTnBYkBh4XHgc9-1ykJ5BvwmXkAia1_PTsQ7lBbmMxZXqMaAiwGcFU5Uhbrqj22OeTTxR5HuFtUsUSzVunAWMzbIwoMYh77IFpw20uUgo4qHUUI1bLHYrxn07UQMIAjA1iFWXSD0/s320/EVAN_FACEBOOK.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Image Description for Sight Impaired: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Portrait of Evan Strong holding a snowboard with a pink/purple overlay. The background has wave like elements in 4 different shades of purple. In the top right is the logo for the winter Paralympics. </span><br />
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<br />Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-49907610359283281822018-03-15T13:47:00.002-04:002018-03-15T13:47:44.535-04:00Curling Paralympian Steve Emt <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The small decisions we each make daily don’t often add up to life changing events, but for Paralympian Steve Emt, two seemingly small decisions altered his life. The first was his decision to drive after a night of drinking with friends which led to an accident, leaving him paralyzed. And the second was to go for some Pie in the Sky!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paralympic Curling Coach Tony Colacchio spotted Emt on his way to Pie in the Sky, a Bakery & Cafe, in Falmouth, MA and introduced himself. Coach Colacchio felt that he could make Emt a Paralympian in curling. Emt, a basketball athlete at UConn, who was unfamiliar with the sport at the time. However, Emt loved it from his first time on the ice. As a math teacher, Emt said curling is "everything I love about math, everything I love in life all in one sport. There are angles and math and geometry and physics involved. There's ice melting. There are concentric circles." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emt performed solidly in the Paralympics against Great Britain as NTI watched with baited breath with every strategic move throughout the events in PyeongChang! Curling coverage continues through Saturday on the Olympic Channel as USA takes on Slovakia tonight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just like Tony Colacchio coached Emt toward the Paralympics, NTI can coach your job journey. If you are on SSI or SSDI and looking to get back into the workplace, NTI can help through their job services. Register today at goo.gl/Yxcpp6 and reach the top of your podium. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaQuzGC0jBSlSgIOC35RddNBdNiPLDc_mNreEuKd5Tl_itgEjVTbUZywR635d-iCiZAPCa-0qTBcJnV14C3-aS7ZOGJx26tKV73WoPORUU_OzgsfG-DiZWkrwIbPvSUdizW23mxdSx5Q/s1600/STEVE_FACEBOOK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaQuzGC0jBSlSgIOC35RddNBdNiPLDc_mNreEuKd5Tl_itgEjVTbUZywR635d-iCiZAPCa-0qTBcJnV14C3-aS7ZOGJx26tKV73WoPORUU_OzgsfG-DiZWkrwIbPvSUdizW23mxdSx5Q/s320/STEVE_FACEBOOK.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Image Descriptions for Visually Impaired: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photograph of Steve Emt playing Curling with a light green/light yellow overlay. The background has wave like elements in 4 different shades of green. In the top left is the logo for the winter Paralympics. </span><br />
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<br />Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-4765627864550840072018-03-14T15:21:00.003-04:002018-03-14T15:21:48.610-04:00Stephen Hawking - (January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018) <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As a non-profit focused on the strengths of individuals with disabilities, NTI is sad to note the passing of Stephen Hawking. Hawking leaves the world mourning the loss of this brilliant theoretical physicist. He gave the world so much! Although limited in body from the age of 21 by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), his mind probed the very edges of our human ability to comprehend the world we inhabit. "I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many," he wrote. His extraordinarily “normal” life enriched the lives of countless millions of people around the world, and he deserves a place of honor in the annals of history! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunOxmF0P9sus3eQkjBq9rJyvHi9Df75iz8BI4EqjX-QXs5QZycV2p23OFENBGprorRJY1SMrf2ELCHi3vRMquCirRHazUyKWR89ICxBJhondvLVwC2ZKvlNvv_bNTa31-YjGXgUAHZ3g/s1600/HAWKING_FACEBOOK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunOxmF0P9sus3eQkjBq9rJyvHi9Df75iz8BI4EqjX-QXs5QZycV2p23OFENBGprorRJY1SMrf2ELCHi3vRMquCirRHazUyKWR89ICxBJhondvLVwC2ZKvlNvv_bNTa31-YjGXgUAHZ3g/s320/HAWKING_FACEBOOK.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Description of Image for Visually Impaired: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A black and white image of a young Stephen Hawking smiling. The background is a picture of space. Text to the left of him reads "STEPHEN HAWKING 1942-2018" </span><br />
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<br />Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-64825153567858235932018-03-14T13:00:00.000-04:002018-03-14T13:00:20.651-04:003X Paralympian and 2X Gold Medalist Josh Pauls <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Paralympian Josh Pauls was born without tibia bones, the larger of the two bones that make up the lower leg and supports most of a person’s weight. Because of that, he had both of his legs amputated when he was only 10 months old. He first tried sled hockey when he was 9, but he didn’t like it because it wasn’t like the ice hockey he saw able-bodied teams playing. But when he tried is again less than a year later, this time without the extra weight of his prothetics, he felt the freedom of sliding on the ice and fell in love with sled hockey! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pauls won gold in the 2010 and 2014 sled hockey Paralympics and is hoping to lead Team USA to yet another gold as team captain at the 2018 Paralympics in Pyeongchang this week. He hopes his years of experience in sled hockey will someday enable him to coach ice hockey at an advanced level, even though, as he likes to joke, he never had to learn to skate. Pauls is an advocate for inclusion in hockey and enjoys playing on sled teams against able-bodied teams! NTI wishes him and all of Team USA best of luck! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, skill is more necessary than luck, but also having the right guidance is key. At NTI, we help individuals with disabilities and disabled Veterans get back into the workplace through our job services. If you are on SSI or SSDI and interested in being a part of the workforce once again register for NTI at goo.gl/6T4xsF Maybe we can help? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Photograph of Josh Pauls playing hockey with a dark green/blue overlay. The background has wave like elements in 4 different shades of blue. In the top left is the logo for the winter Paralympics. </span><br />
<br />Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-13664711217221988422018-03-13T19:00:00.000-04:002018-03-13T19:00:18.191-04:00A Paralympic Preview - Meghan Lino (Curling) <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{24}" paraid="406850897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Meghan Lino was born with spina bifida, a congenital disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord. She began using a wheelchair in the first grade when walking became increasingly difficult. But Lino credits her family with always pushing her “to do things that may not have been easy to do.” Her family has always supported her while respecting her independence, and they will be watching as Lino competes in her second Paralympic Games for Team USA in wheelchair curling in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Pyeongchang</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> this week. She began curling in 2009 in Cape Cod and quickly became serious about competing on a team. She attended the last Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 in Sochi.</span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{30}" paraid="1318801724" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Wheelchair curling was first included in the Paralympics in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">2006, and</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> is one of the few sports to include a mixed team with male and female competitors. Wheelchair curling differs from traditional curling in that there is no sweeping, a term used to describe actions to affect the direction of the stone once it has been released. NTI wishes Lino and the rest of her team best of luck as they compete against 11 other countries for the first-ever medal for Team USA in wheelchair curling!</span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{34}" paraid="1909054426" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">You can be on the podium too! Over the years, NTI has helped quite a few individuals with Spina Bifida get back into the workplace through our job services. If you know of someone on SSI or SSDI who is looking to get back into the workplace, feel free to have them register at goo.gl/bphZh6.</span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">______________________</span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{40}" paraid="521300686" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Image Description for Sight Impaired: </span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{42}" paraid="95896353" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Photograph of Meghan Lino in her wheelchair playing Curling with a yellow/orange overlay. The background has wave like elements in 4 different shades of orange. In the top left is the logo for the winter Paralympics. </span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">______________________</span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{46}" paraid="1118364149" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5fc30501-60e3-4a7e-aa82-32af18081fd8}{48}" paraid="2013276157" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">#Curling #Pyeongchang2018 #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Pyeongchang</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">SpinaBifida</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Spine #Spinal #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">SpinalCord</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Wheelchair #Paralympics #Paralympic #Paralympian #Athlete #Paralympics2018 #Boston #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">CapeCod</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">WinterGames</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Sochi #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">WheelchairCurling</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">TeamUSA</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">USParalympics</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Sweeping #Slider #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">TakeOut</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Ice #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">MeghanLino</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW22848193" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ParalympicGames</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW22848193" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Stones #Ability #Adaptive </span><span class="EOP SCXW22848193" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-4684422591530611052018-03-13T14:55:00.004-04:002018-03-13T15:09:31.986-04:00A Paralympic Preview Andrew Soule (Biathlon) <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may have heard the successes of recent Paralympic Gold Medalist Daniel Cnossen, but have you heard the story of his teammate and most recent Bronze Medalist Andrew Soule? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three-time American Paralympian Andy Soule is no stranger to dedication and love of country. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Soule joined the Army and was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2005, a bomb exploded while he was on a security patrol and his legs were badly injured, requiring amputation. During rehab, in order to stay active, Soule began handcycling and attended an adaptive camp where he tried skiing. A natural on the slopes, within a year Soule moved to Sun Valley, Idaho to train full-time. He competed in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in 2010 in Vancouver where he became the first ever American to win a medal as a biathlete in either the Olympic or Paralympic Games! He competed again at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, and now will be competing for the third time as a Paralympian in PyeongChang. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Soule competes in a sit-ski, a specially designed seat attached to two cross-country skis, and he propels himself with poles. As a biathlete who must not only ski well but shoot well, his military training is as asset. Most Olympic biathletes who shoot after competing in grueling Nordic Ski courses have to calm their shaking legs in order to shoot straight. But in the case of many Paralympians, they have to do it all with their arms, making the feat even more impressive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are proud of your Paralympic accomplishments Andrew and thank you for your Service in the military! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just like Andrew, something is thrown your way and you need to adapt, just like the people who have come to NTI. Something happened in life that caused a disability, but they make a comeback. If you would like to make a comeback and use NTI's services to get your next job, visit NTI at goo.gl/ETDL59. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPfyQyetWGCWCU77yM8ygUED2EVuelmU6HUcuQc-MJE5mUz5wFRngzB70RxUpBYrSs05Xh-kCEcsE-fk_W3nv0nSFw6qRs-az0_1XzNR1ORuPniYAVCztX1f8re4-oDQrJAyz0LqtXmE/s1600/SOULE_FACEBOOK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPfyQyetWGCWCU77yM8ygUED2EVuelmU6HUcuQc-MJE5mUz5wFRngzB70RxUpBYrSs05Xh-kCEcsE-fk_W3nv0nSFw6qRs-az0_1XzNR1ORuPniYAVCztX1f8re4-oDQrJAyz0LqtXmE/s320/SOULE_FACEBOOK.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">______________________________________ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Image Description for Sight Impaired: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Photograph of Andrew Soule alpine skiing with a dark green/line green overlay. The background has wave like elements in 4 different shades of green. In the top right is the logo for the winter Paralympics. </span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-66386305692949130582018-03-13T10:42:00.001-04:002018-03-13T10:43:27.976-04:00Brain Injury Awareness<br />
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March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and this week is also Brain Awareness Week. An estimated 1.7 million sustain a traumatic brain injury annually. Of the 1.7 million, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized and 1.365 million are treated and released from an emergency room. About 75% of the brain injuries that occur each year are due to concussions.</div>
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There are short-term and long-lasting affects from brain injury and Brain Injury Awareness Month focuse<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">s on destigmatizing brain injury and empowering those who have had survived a brain injury through support. In fact there are over 680 events over the course of Brain Awareness Week to help educate people with Brain Injury (<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fdana.org%2Fbaw%2Fcalendar&h=ATPWatuyaKGrWnpd16zaSakUv4W7n-rUefnzuONduNwOTqhTyOxOXDvGOL-C97Ton9SyYu3Y-np-xSU1g-RRPLN6E6ArZdkdmLlerT5mJT6N0uuBg7s2JmEEyzC9TFVNIWqrH0o" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">dana.org/baw/calendar</a>).</span></div>
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In addition, during Brain Awareness Week, there is a global campaign to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. Educate yourself with a self-guided tour of the human brain on<br />
<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FBrainFacts.org%2F&h=ATPCC4YmlWE-T2HA24ZmPqBoF_v5jpFGOVqfpsUNofKXhyiavZsJOq-yk9x4KFL24GTeT4MF84448KoLfZ7hCj9kkLmKtIgNWBABPwgtlv0mZmTCqmMjhCYN9kxk85fA9wtR9fM" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">BrainFacts.org</a> (<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3DBrainTour&h=ATNEi4z-J9gXx-slnJZ4gJz3B4YT-KCXit2alOO7Plcp7XUOm5MHrTWVkK1KjryJFL6HcN96QxIeg3C12bm6A2r8zpJrNks-Sim7UNZu_QNYlswolTP_SppBXKpDVzPuEBkLwjQ" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">bit.ly/3DBrainTour</a>) or learn a bit about the current research ongoing at MIT at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT (<a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmcgovern.mit.edu%2F&h=ATOQUhPzhjk-SgnE83j5-34kwAZFtPk1QSbNMTdHTcWVTdxNu_uJIIzKeIPJveTnPumUUVcC5HjO7Ios0NV7lLIZEDSxNP8rComhlT6cn3FU_gAdalEF6diUgO64EbmRgGHQcQo" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://mcgovern.mit.edu/</a>).</div>
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Life after a traumatic brain injury can be difficult, but NTI has helped many on SSI or SSDI get back into the workplace once again when they are ready. If you would like to explore the services NTI has to offer, visit our website at <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2F6kSi13&h=ATNL9EEOtdLgEzwDx7nVYOPqxmcE2EP01hzv6ol_aPW0f97fKg8_Ml5BbY6_6rzHDakexHSUkwEmty9Lvn9SjsrP3ambNRVw3alMqUW_qECv9LJGazOdAK54lFqryxuBOp32o0Y" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">goo.gl/6kSi13</a>. Maybe we can make a difference in your life or someone you love?</div>
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Image for Visually Impaired:<br />
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-44605382152093475102018-03-12T10:39:00.000-04:002018-03-13T10:40:46.219-04:00Envision Life Without Glaucoma!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br />Did you know that 120,000 Americans are blind as a result of glaucoma, which accounts for nine to twelve percent of all cases of blindness in the United States. However, roughly 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half know they have it. On World Glaucoma Day, we encourage people to take preventative measures by getting regular eye and optic nerve checkups to prevent eye diseases that are permanent.</div>
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During World Glaucoma Day, NTI ope<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">ns eyes for opportunity to get back into the workplace with our job-services. Create a vision for yourself with a new job opportunity. If you are on SSI or SSDI and would like to get back into the workplace, visit and register for NTI's job services today at <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2Fs2p7QV&h=ATOrElu8KRByNJhce7o7ys3fQUW_u7VZc69AwelTT94JCWiqDyHh-Yyp40DF15YQgp8-gymlxyhBc-BO8DchyMXC5pgY25LM5KTG6noQIgXuIIOrxPrWhbF8onuG6LB8Uu8io5Y" href="https://goo.gl/s2p7QV" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">goo.gl/s2p7QV</a> for an eye opening experience.</span></div>
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Image Description for Visually Impaired<br />The image is an illustration of an eye with a green illustration of earth as the pupil. Underneath the eye is text that read "WORLD GLAUCOMA DAY" with "GLAUCOMA" in green. There is also a green border around the image.<br /></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-90841204113238301832018-03-12T08:00:00.000-04:002018-03-12T08:00:17.561-04:00A Paralympic Preview - Declan Farmer (Ice Hockey)<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Born with a congenital limb deficiency, Declan Farmer had to have both legs amputated at an early age, and he first learned to walk using prosthetic limbs. An avid sports fan for as long as he can remember, Farmer sought out opportunities to test his natural athletic ability. He found his niche in sled hockey, a variation of ice hockey using a sled instead of skates and requiring two sticks with a pick on each end to propel the sled across the ice and hit the puck. From the first time he got on a sled at age 8, Farmer’s talent was apparent, and he has even been compared to ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. He competed on the Tampa Bay Lightning Sled Hockey Team from 2007 to 2013, and he has been part of the US national team since 2012. His extensive experience, competitive nature, and natural athletic ability means he is not at all flustered by travel and intense competition. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3HOQQIx1G2v3tfYkJglJEdoVzrj6QIkNd42zBHfw80sf5adCof3r1hTd_4EHC9rWaFwkGDlseRmxWlpdbyG0PjuOtl63_CmH7e78_b4dEXDQsiWZgltowYsnSTOpBI15fN6kKzuosEg/s1600/Declan_Twitter_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3HOQQIx1G2v3tfYkJglJEdoVzrj6QIkNd42zBHfw80sf5adCof3r1hTd_4EHC9rWaFwkGDlseRmxWlpdbyG0PjuOtl63_CmH7e78_b4dEXDQsiWZgltowYsnSTOpBI15fN6kKzuosEg/s320/Declan_Twitter_2.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 2014 at the age of 16, Farmer competed in the Winter Paralympics in Sochi where he assisted in leading the team to a gold medal, and now in 2018, at age 20, he is poised to lead Team USA to another gold! Following the Paralympics, Farmer plans to return to Princeton where he is studying for a degree in economics. But he plans to return again and again to lead team USA to a gold medal in sled hockey in future Paralympics!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Declan pushes himself to the limit in his sport, just like the many of the people we help at NTI who strive to get back into the workplace. If you are on SSI or SSDI and would like to explore the job services NTI provides, visit NTI at goo.gl/UakTrW. It only takes about 5 minutes to register. </span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com8Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-77464917276919052442018-03-11T08:00:00.000-04:002018-03-11T08:00:49.007-04:00A Paralympic Preview Team USA's Brenna Huckaby <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="29ogm" data-offset-key="d9pri-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a young girl, Brenna Huckaby used to dream of being a world-class gymnast, and she competed at part of a team in her home state of Louisiana. But after losing her right leg to ostocarcoma (a type of bone cancer) at age 14, Brenna moved to Salt Lake City and developed a passion for snowboarding equal to her love to gymnastics! As she said to her mom, riding a snowboard is “like a beam!” </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7ddpa-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Brenna is now 22, a mother of a beautiful baby girl born in May of 2016, and poised to bring home gold in two separate Paralympic events--snowboard-cross and the banked slalom. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="f424t-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">“It’s no longer about me,” she says. “I always have something else in the back of my mind. Balancing work and mommyhood is difficult. I have to be on top of it all the time otherwise I wouldn’t get anything done. It’s difficult but it’s also so exciting because I get to share all of my experiences with her.” </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="135fu-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Brenna, we wish you luck in the in Pyeongchang! </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e31rm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Just like Brenna, many of the people we help at NTI have to handle many of the challenges life places in front of them, such as balancing a disability, work, and parenthood. We understand at NTI. If you are on SSI or SSDI and would like to explore the job services NTI provides, visit NTI at goo.gl/PikNHj. It only takes about 5 minutes to register. </span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-66730142368876472022018-03-10T08:00:00.000-05:002018-03-10T08:01:50.623-05:00Congratulations to Gold Medialist Paralympic Alaskan Native Andrew Kurka<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We congratulate Andrew Kurka for winning a gold medal in the sit-ski downhill race in the 2018 Winter Paralympics! A dream come true!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the age of eight, Alaskan Andrew Kurka dreamed of being the best in the world. Even at that young age, he was recognized as a gifted athlete and excelled at wrestling. When his coach told him to remember that there would always be somebody better, young Kurka just strengthened his own resolve, determined to move to the top and be the best. His plans were sidelined at the age of 13 when a four-wheeling accident broke his back and left him paralyzed. His physical therapist, recognizing Kurka’s athleticism and competitive spirit, suggested he try a Paralympic sport. Andrew chose skiing. He understood that he could compete at a Paralympics and be a competitive athlete, he decided to dedicate himself to his dream of Alpine skiing as a true Olympian!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although he has had setbacks like most athletes, including three broken bones from flying down a mountain at up to 70 miles an hour, he is poised to medal at the 2018 Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang. He qualified for the Paralympic team in 2014 in Sochi, but crashed during a training run right before the event and re-injured his back. Unable to compete during at the 2014 Paralympic Games, he kept his dream alive and is ready mentally and physically to give the 2018 Games his best effort! He is currently ranked the number one seated skier in the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kurka has trained extensively for this opportunity and hopes that by competing in an independent sport vs. a team sport that he will be able to reap the benefits of his hard work and training regimen. He is glad to be competing as an Alaskan because he expected to bring a medal—a first for any Paralympian from Alaska. Congratulations Andrew on this amazing accomplishment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just like Andrew, something is thrown your way and you need to adapt, just like the people who have come to NTI. Something happened in life that caused a disability, but they make a comeback. If you would like to make a comeback and use NTI's services to get your next job, visit NTI at goo.gl/oJZXwq.</span><br />
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-82990298543040082272018-03-09T14:37:00.001-05:002018-03-09T14:37:38.103-05:00A Paralympic Preview - Oksana Masters<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster happened in April of 1986, no one alive at the time could imagine the catastrophic consequences for the lives of as yet unborn children that would continue for decades after the event. And though all the stories of affected children are worth sharing, one in particular stands out as we start the 2018 Paralympics!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Born in the Ukraine three years after the Chernobyl Disaster, Oksana Masters had significant birth defects including six toes on each foot, five webbed fingers on each hand and no thumbs. In addition, her left leg was six inches shorter than her right and both legs were missing shin bones. After living in three different orphanages, she was adopted at the age of 7 by Gay Masters, an American university professor with no children of her own. Eventually, both of Oksana's legs were amputated above the knee—her left at age 9 and the right at 14. Both hands also had extensive reconstructive surgeries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At age 13, Oksana became interested in rowing after she found a sense of freedom while on the water. In 2011 she joined the Para-rowing team in 2011 and went on to win a bronze medal in rowing at Paralympic Games London 2012. After an injury that prevented her from rowing, Oksana learned to ski and qualified for the Nordic Skiing Team at the 2014 U.S. Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. She brought home silver and bronze medals that year. But three medals in two very different events were not enough for this amazing athlete. In 2016 she competed in the Paralympics in Rio and earned a 4th and 6th place finish in hand-cycling. Currently she is pursuing another Paralympic Medal in Nordic Skiing at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang. Keep an eye on her, as she hopes to bring home a gold!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are looking to bring home the gold through a new job, maybe NTI can help through their job-services. If you are on SSI or SSDI and are looking for work, register for NTI's services at goo.gl/rvTwRx</span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-48296891405994718762018-03-09T11:55:00.003-05:002018-03-09T11:55:33.661-05:00<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176168230" paraeid="{2a230644-729d-470e-b60e-a30e26ffcc35}{176}" paraid="429262725" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Now that the Winter Olympics has </span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="AdvancedProofingIssue SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">come to a close</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games are just kicking off in </span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">PyeongChang</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. The opening ceremony will be held at the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">PyeongChang</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Olympic Stadium at 8 p.m. this Friday, March 9th. </span><span class="EOP SCXW176168230" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW176168230" paraeid="{2a230644-729d-470e-b60e-a30e26ffcc35}{184}" paraid="450704464" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The slogan of the Paralympic Winter Games, “Passion Moves Us” focuses on the passion that motivates everyone; including those who have disabilities. Over 670 athletes will be represented from 80 countries as opposed to 539 from 4 years ago. The total number of female athletes has tremendously increased by 44 percent. This Paralympics, athletes will compete in fifteen sport disciplines consisting of 4 snow sports: Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, and Snowboarding. In addition, two ice sports, Ice (Sled) Hockey and Wheelchair Curling will be included in the competitions. </span><span class="EOP SCXW176168230" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCXW176168230" paraeid="{2a230644-729d-470e-b60e-a30e26ffcc35}{197}" paraid="219977302" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Eyes will be on US competitors Oksana Masters (Biathlon), Andrew Kurka (Alpine Skiing), Brenna Huckaby (Snowboarding), Andrew Soule (US Nordic skier), and Declan Farmer (Ice Hockey) as they strive for Gold. You can watch coverage both on NBC as well as the Paralympic website at </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW176168230" href="https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW176168230" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW176168230" lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. The Winter Paralympics will take place from March 9th to March 18th. We hope you enjoy the highlights that NTI brings of the Paralympic Games over the next few days. </span><span class="EOP SCXW176168230" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-family: "calibri" , "calibri_msfontservice" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-81001716417597338892018-03-08T14:17:00.001-05:002018-03-08T14:17:05.770-05:00Kidney Disease Will Not Stop Dreams<h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">World Kidney Day is a global awareness day focused on the importance of our kidneys and chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is incurable and affects 1 in every 10 people worldwide. Although the severity of the disease varies, it affects an individual’s ability to prevent the build up of wastes and fluids, keeping levels of electrolytes stable, the creation hormones that benefit our bodies, regulating our bodies blood pressure, making red blood cells, as well as keeping our bones strong.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quentin Butler, who was a contestant on the show </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Next Olympic Hopeful”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://goo.gl/r4DM8C">goo.gl/r4DM8C</a>) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was undergoing his routine pre-camp physical at the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">U.S. Olympic Training Center</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but what was found was anything but routine. Quentin stated, “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They found out I had kidney failure.” Instead of pursuing skeleton camp, he immediately became hospitalized. Just last week, Quentin received his Kidney Transplant and we are certain that we will not see the last of this incredible competitor (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://goo.gl/3bky7J">goo.gl/3bky7J</a>).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy Purdy, was an avid snowboarder, but her dreams came to a halt after contracting bacterial meningitis. Given a 2 percent chance of survival, Amy was placed on life support and both of her legs needed to be amputated. She also needed a kidney transplant due to the vast amount of toxins circulating through her body. Years later, she designed her own prosthesis to help her snowboard again and made a comeback, founded the non-profit Adaptive Action Sports, starred in the Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, provided an inspiring Ted Talk (</span><a href="http://youtu.be/N2QZM7azGoA" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">youtu.be/N2QZM7azGoA</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">), wrote a book, designed an athletic clothing line, as well as medalist in the New Zealand Winter Games and Winter Paralympics. We can only imagine what is in store for Amy at the 2018 Winter Paralympics. </span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N2QZM7azGoA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N2QZM7azGoA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-7695441114332718732018-02-24T16:41:00.001-05:002018-02-24T16:41:16.743-05:00Thank You Eric Howk and Portugal. The Man!<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's been about a year since Eric Howk of Portugal. The Man recorded a Public Service Announcement for NTI to help individuals with disabilities and Disabled Veterans get back into the workplace (http://portugaltheman.nticentral.org). Since, then radio stations across the country have been playing his message. In fact, over 400 stations and over 3 million people have heard his message making people aware of our non-profit. We wanted to extend our appreciation to the members of the band by giving them a few thank you gifts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The night started with a cordial video interview with Eric Howk and Zach Carothers. We discussed a wide array of topics ranging from their album, the tour, accessibility, inclusion, as well as how Portugal. The Man leverages their platform to promote social justice. Ironically, we had to conduct the interview at the hotel as opposed to the venue considering the 100 year old establishment was not wheelchair accessible. It didn't put a crimp in the interview as Eric, Zach, and NTI's Director of Marketing Mike Sanders talked for about 30 minutes. At the end of the interview, we gave Zach and Eric some gifts from NTI. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes1WuQPsB9kVRrOw4VY6ShqFfTIPW401xtQSPv9tpjx21eOP56olMHGv4rEYU6cduTgKGSUfrARNqV6B1T-AYUTwJ-DV5BEJYRYa1ukeL8yyByDbYuhsFPTQhkmaNm217i4Oh1M_By9c/s1600/interview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhes1WuQPsB9kVRrOw4VY6ShqFfTIPW401xtQSPv9tpjx21eOP56olMHGv4rEYU6cduTgKGSUfrARNqV6B1T-AYUTwJ-DV5BEJYRYa1ukeL8yyByDbYuhsFPTQhkmaNm217i4Oh1M_By9c/s320/interview.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first gift was a hand drawn lithograph of the band members by NTI's graphic designer, Damian Santamaria. The print had elements from the Evil Friends album including all current band members. The second gift was a NTI vintage logo courtside windbreaker given to all members of the band. As a final gift, NTI teamed up with Philip Smith of Goldfinch Guitars in Philadelphia (https://goldfinchguitars.com) to create a one of a kind blueburst guitar with a custom Hawk pickguard for Eric. Philip, Creative Director Noel Headley-Noble, and Mike Sanders of NTI painstakingly designed every aspect of the guitar based upon Eric's personality and style. The Philip graciously donated the Goldfinch guitar to help promote Eric and NTI's work with helping individuals with disabilities nationwide. Eric was surprised at the gesture, as Zach immediately took it out of his hands to give it a try. Zach stated, "let's get this over to our guitar tech to see if we can get it set up!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We soon left for the venue with our #LiveIntheMoment contest winner, Nina McCarthy to be greeted by the opening act Twin Peaks. Soon enough, Portugal. The Man came on the stage with a traditional opening of Metallica's, Master of Puppets. Soon hits from their previous successes were played along with the songs off of their Double Platinum album, Woodstock; including Grammy Award Winning, Feel it Still and their latest release, Live in The Moment. When they come to your town, it is a show that you shouldn't miss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the show, Eric and Zach came and rustled us up to introduce NTI to the other members of the band as well as give our thank you gifts. Lead singer, John Gourley immediately put on his jacket and said, "How did you know our style?" It was a great moment and we hope to continue spreading the word. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As an end note, as soon as we finish editing the video now and will post! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you again Portugal. The Man for making helping spread the word about NTI and making the lives of others better.</span><br />
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com10Providence, RI, USA41.8239891 -71.41283429999998641.7293166 -71.574195799999984 41.9186616 -71.251472799999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-47916291344748049622017-12-03T08:56:00.001-05:002017-12-03T08:56:46.118-05:00United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">According to the most current statistics, one billion people throughout the world has a disability of some kind, with one-fifth of them experiencing a significant disability. In the United States, one in five people have a disability. Some of the most common disabilities include those having to do with significant hearing, vision, or mobility impairments. Dementia, frequent depression, and other types of mental health issues that interfere with daily activities, are also considered disabilities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While there is a wide variety of disabilities that affect people of all ages, most disabilities have a couple of things in common, and that is they usually interfere with the ability to learn and to work. Many strides have been made in recent years to bring awareness, but many advocates realize that much more needs to be done when it comes to the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In doing so, they helped to create awareness of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life, including economics, politics, and culture. This year's theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is "Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Part of the goal of the United Nations is to implement the 2030 Agenda, which pledges to "leave no one behind" when it comes to inclusion, sustainable development, and promoting a resilient society. This year's observation will be taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York where there will be panel discussions and cultural events.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeifixtBuuj7khjtipW0Ld11o3cpj7FcbV2UwHP26hyKrTks22ZXuhj0b2NysmrpciSNkCmd7sBM5ULQWm0Rphw5Cym3bdxA9iQC_jDWV8qPXBujSo7ihrCOISGpvzNniMsxyJV8vcFjE/s1600/un_home_tweet3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeifixtBuuj7khjtipW0Ld11o3cpj7FcbV2UwHP26hyKrTks22ZXuhj0b2NysmrpciSNkCmd7sBM5ULQWm0Rphw5Cym3bdxA9iQC_jDWV8qPXBujSo7ihrCOISGpvzNniMsxyJV8vcFjE/s320/un_home_tweet3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While it is a good thing that the United Nations understands the importance of bringing awareness to persons with disabilities, some say that more needs to be done in order to help these persons become active members of the workforce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) is one such organization that helps to do just that. With a mission to identify and develop work-at-home jobs for Americans that are physically disabled, NTI has been training and finding work-at-home jobs for people with disabilities since 1995. Some of these employees have found jobs at U.S. government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and smaller businesses. In 2012, NTI expanded our offerings with LandAjob, a division that helps Americans with Disabilities obtain on-site jobs as a way to assist them in finding sustainable employment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are interested in learning more about our programs, visit our @Home website at goo.gl/dcQQmB or LandAjob at goo.gl/UZ2fif. Maybe NTI can help you on your journey toward a sustainable future. </span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-857469622972125502017-11-17T07:24:00.001-05:002017-11-17T07:24:44.454-05:00Congress Passes The Ticket To Work And Work Incentives Improvement Act Of 1999 <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW169587592" paraeid="{018790fa-d3c2-407c-a1f9-e5d5bf9cf889}{164}" paraid="638639769" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When you have a disability, it can be hard to find or keep a job. Sometimes, employers underestimate the capabilities of employees with disabilities and are reluctant to hire them. In other cases, would-be job-seekers may need additional training and other supports to succeed in the workplace. In 1999, Congress passed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act to help people with disabilities achieve financial independence. Under the law, those who receive SSI or SSDI benefits and are between the ages of 18 and 64 are eligible for a "ticket" allowing them to obtain free employment services, such as job coaching and placement, through vocational rehabilitation (VR) or other service providers. Participation in the program is voluntary. </span><span class="EOP SCXW169587592" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWzxUwns2pApnfhfcvl0Jr7c6EJQQ6Rl-ksfd5MnGMDfpOnOCldi60rwmypM-VSBf9xY0HEHezHKgLECoOaqvE1H0fnvz93YWcqTcB50TJbARDuZeAXuszrXDBL4DMtDmzT-gB4Fz1Z0/s1600/adminission_tweet1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWzxUwns2pApnfhfcvl0Jr7c6EJQQ6Rl-ksfd5MnGMDfpOnOCldi60rwmypM-VSBf9xY0HEHezHKgLECoOaqvE1H0fnvz93YWcqTcB50TJbARDuZeAXuszrXDBL4DMtDmzT-gB4Fz1Z0/s320/adminission_tweet1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW169587592" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW169587592" paraeid="{018790fa-d3c2-407c-a1f9-e5d5bf9cf889}{182}" paraid="1305532164" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Many people with disabilities are hesitant to return to work for fear they'll lose their benefits and healthcare coverage. With the Ticket program, participants can keep their benefits and Medicare or Medicaid coverage for an extended time period while they receive job training and enter the workforce; otherwise known as the Trial Work Period. You can learn more about the program on the Ticket to Work website at </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW169587592" href="https://www.ssa.gov/work/" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.ssa.gov/work/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Additionally, the Social Security Administration also puts out a yearly guide called the Red Book, which describes how to participate and how your benefits will be affected. You can download a copy here </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW169587592" href="https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/" rel="noreferrer" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; user-select: text;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">https://www.ssa.gov/redbook/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.</span><span class="EOP SCXW169587592" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW169587592" paraeid="{018790fa-d3c2-407c-a1f9-e5d5bf9cf889}{194}" paraid="668515459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">To participate, you will need to verify your eligibility. From there, decide which type of service provider will be the best fit for you. One of the ways to access job services is through an Employment Network, like NTI. Some of these networks not only help you find a job, they also give </span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">you</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> ongoing support while you're working to help you achieve long-term success. </span><span class="EOP SCXW169587592" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;">
<div class="Paragraph SCXW169587592" paraeid="{018790fa-d3c2-407c-a1f9-e5d5bf9cf889}{210}" paraid="1691805474" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">NTI is an Employment Network dedicated to helping people with disabilities find gainful employment. We assist individuals with disabilities find remote work with Fortune 500 companies. For many, these jobs lead to rewarding careers in customer service, tech support, and call centers. To prepare clients for employment, we offer virtual classes through NTI University. We also have an </span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">eMentoring</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> program to provide one-on-one support to our job candidates throughout the recruiting, training, and hiring process. If you would like to be guided toward success through our job-services, please visit NTI at goo.gl/</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">opzKNQ</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">. The registration process only takes about 5-minutes to complete. </span><span class="EOP SCXW169587592" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">#Ticket #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">TickettoWork</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">RemoteWork</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #Telecommute #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">WorkingAgain</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">WorkAtHomeMom</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">WorkingMan</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> #</span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCXW169587592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif; background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">CallCenters</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW169587592" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></div>
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Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68841786602058754.post-47601882138170130842017-11-16T08:18:00.001-05:002017-11-16T08:18:39.668-05:00The Great American Smokeout <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smoking tobacco is the number one cause of preventable disease throughout the world, yet more than 36 million people in the United States continue to smoke. Each year on the third Thursday of November, smokers participate in the Great American Smokeout run by the American Cancer Society. The goal is simple. To get people who smoke to stop smoking, even if it is for one day on November 16, 2017. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smoking is hard to quit alone. Nicotine is addictive, and you can get hooked on cigarettes very quickly. As you try to quit, nicotine withdrawal often leads many people to start smoking again. While it's a deadly habit, most people aren't able to quit alone because of how addictive smoking is. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1cXAH-jOvlsUskjqIO9mTolxMuF5GUQso3m0EIIKi6_LfoYmS8oxef1SLIFmHgbfw3GieV8SGbTxox27hf8Ggf8LlLC4hV8azyri9XIF-Xoe0oYZrupQK1rI9nJajV88qWG0A74nJkk/s1600/gaso_tweet2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1cXAH-jOvlsUskjqIO9mTolxMuF5GUQso3m0EIIKi6_LfoYmS8oxef1SLIFmHgbfw3GieV8SGbTxox27hf8Ggf8LlLC4hV8azyri9XIF-Xoe0oYZrupQK1rI9nJajV88qWG0A74nJkk/s320/gaso_tweet2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The American Cancer Society created the Great American Smokeout as a way to raise awareness, and to get those who are smokers to think about their smoking habits. On November 16, 2017, smokers are asked to stop smoking for the day as a way to kick-start quitting smoking overall. The goal is to continue to reduce the percentage of Americans who smoke tobacco each year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the 1960's, roughly 42% of Americans were smokers. Today, approximately 15% of Americans continue to smoke despite the known health hazards. Smoking includes cigarettes, cigars, hookah, and pipes. The rise of hookah use among younger adults is as dangerous as smoking cigarettes and should be avoided at all costs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y_L_bJBbSJYTxma51WUJ18tIWcQ9B9Y9KVLwQwnXO3pszOE8PGgPYXcpqIPpqJ1edsjrWgPBqjgdtVN3n6eXakhcs2xm2mij8mgrYlXkqVoeq-ikpc27qJFsWtqSM4hMPycCdc3ZoUQ/s1600/gaso_tweet5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y_L_bJBbSJYTxma51WUJ18tIWcQ9B9Y9KVLwQwnXO3pszOE8PGgPYXcpqIPpqJ1edsjrWgPBqjgdtVN3n6eXakhcs2xm2mij8mgrYlXkqVoeq-ikpc27qJFsWtqSM4hMPycCdc3ZoUQ/s320/gaso_tweet5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have a loved one who smokes, find out how to be supportive. Encourage your loved one to stop smoking this November. Better breathing and more energy are two health benefits that may be felt within weeks of quitting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NTI believes strongly in helping those with disabilities live a rich, productive life. To register for our job-services, go to our website at goo.gl/ssGpLJ. Come see why NTI is a leader in helping people with disabilities back into the workplace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#Cancer #Smoke #Smoking #GreatAmericanSmokeout #Smokeout #Tobacco #CancerAwareness #LungCancer #Nonsmoker #StopSmoking #Lungs #Cigarette #Cigarettes #Pack #Smoker #Death #Quit #Illustration #KickButts #Awareness </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">#Smokers #Respiratory #CleanAir #BigTobacco #NoSmoking #SayNo #Breathe #Hookah #Cigars</span>Mike Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16673508623422231880noreply@blogger.com11