Wish me luck...

[John Esak]

Well, I'm off to Atlanta for a week. It's the NFB convention... National
Federation of the Blind.  They tell me there will be over 3,000 blind people
there. The Marriot Marquis will never be the same again. I'm just imagining
all those canes waving about. I think I'll bring some shin guards! :-)
Actually, I'll have my own cane as well... not that I can use it worth
beans. I just "wear" it to let everybody else know just how much I *can't*
see. :-)  :-(   In fact, I'm still in the non-acceptance stage... which
means I do anything, including *pay* people to take me around wherever I
have to go. I simply can't imagine how anyone copes with a big city and no
help. Impossible.

Anyway, I'm heading down there to check out the new gadgets, software,
brainiacs, etc. I've found some pretty nifty things which have helped (so
far) to keep me working somewhat with my screens. It looks like I will be
doing another (now the 5th) cornea transplant this summer sometime... we'll
see. (Pardon the pun, I couldn't help it. :-)  Just before that, assuming it
does go down as it looks, I'll be heading to Vision 2007 in Kansas City, a
more science based conference where I will actually get to meet with some of
the people at the forefront of stem cell research and retina diseases. They
have, by the way, recently sprayed some specially eye-oriented stem cells on
the retinas of white mice which were bred blind... and within a short time
these mice can run a maze.... one they couldn't run before, and one the
scientists feel they could not possibly run if they couldn't see! We are, I
believe, two steps away from my turn... first monkeys, then fully bind
people with absolutely nothing to lose... this is the order in which the
clinical studies are headed. In Kansas City I will get the real scoop and
report back in an OT: for those who might be interested...

But, for now, I'm off to Hot 'Lanta, a city where my band once played in The
Underground for a day and a half... :-)  Yes, pretty much non-stop.  This
time, however, I am looking forward to the prospect of say... 600 guide
dogs... all staying in the same hotel as me... with special astro-turf areas
set up fro them to do their thing.  I think I'm going to hate this. :-)

The first day they say there is going to be a "Parade for Independence".
Now, though 1,000 or so marching blind people?? might very probably gain
some national (and even international) news footage... don't be looking for
me in the midst of the flailing white pokey things. This is one event I'll
listen to from my hotel balcony. :-)

Everyone have a great 4th of July... and by the way, thanks to all of you
who responded to say how much you liked my last brochure... and more thanks
to those of you who bought the package. They will all be going out as
ordered via Karen and several pre-made bundles.

Don't eat too many hot dogs.

John

P.S. - I will keep up with the FP Room from my hotel... and hopefully knock
in here once in awhile as usual... but all of you who've read this far.. Get
a life! Go enjoy the Independence Day Holiday!  Forget your keyboards for
awhile.