little-study-space

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Writing a Blind or Visually Impaired Character

A Multi-Step Guide Written by a Visually Impaired Writer and Blogger

I’m hoping this blog will over time develop its own following, and when it does people will inevitably see my bio and notice what I included: I’m visually impaired.

Yes, a visually impaired writer, and I’ve written with two blind characters before so I have some practice in the field.

So, inevitably, someone is going to ask how to write a blind character.

Or, at least, I hope you’ll ask someone who’s actually blind or visually impaired about writing a blind character before you get too involved with your new WIP.

All parts will be tagged #blindcharacter in my blog, and I will add links to every post as I finish each part. Follow my blog for more writing advice.

Note, this post updates fairly often and old versions are still floating around out there. The most current version of this post is pinned to my blog with any new guides or links you might of missed.

As of 24 January 2021, this is the most extensive and screen reader friendly version of this post.

Part One: Crafting the Blind Character

In which I tell you how to begin making a blind character who is more than a cardboard cutout

Part Two: Narrative Choice, Visual Description, Verbal Description, Social Interaction

In which I give you a basic rundown on how to write from the perspective of a character who can’t see and still make the narration descriptive

Part Three: Tropes and Clichés to Avoid

Your blind readers will thank you for not being the 5000th person to do this and manage to actually finish your story. (Do you have any idea how many stories I’ve noped out of within two chapters because of these clichés? A Lot.)

-New- Part Four: Canes, Guide Dogs, and O&M

Everything I can tell you about 1) how to learn how to use a cane 2) how a cane works 3) how to describe what your character experiences with their cane 4) everything I know on guide dogs

Part Five: Small Aspects of being Blind You Never Thought Of

5 January 2021 Edit: This link has been fixed to correspond with the correct post

Or, really, very normal everyday things for blind people, the inclusion of which will make your characters more real and authentic. It’s the tiny details.

Part Six: Should You Cure Your Character’s Blindness? (Short Answer: No)

There’s no way to write a cure for your blind character that doesn’t make blind readers hate you. Sorry. We came here to finally experience a relatable character who experiences the world like us, but none of us are getting cured so seeing this character we learned to love become something alien from us in the end feels like a slap in the face

Why I’m Blind and What I See -NEW-

I thought I’d finally make a post explaining the complicated situation about my vision. Includes an explanation of visual snow and exotropia, two of the three causes for my vision issues.

Writing Blind Characters Falling in Love, an Advice Post:

Someone asked what being blind and falling in love have to do with each other. Honestly, blindness changes your perspective on everything and it makes an impact on every relationship you have. This includes some things that you definitely do not want your character’s love interest to be/do.

Writing Blind Jokes (Should You Do It?)

You know those flow charts of “should you do x?” going around? It’s like that, but screen reader friendly. Should you write blind jokes. It’s pretty complicated and there are a lot of possible scenarios and details to consider.

Advice for Writing Toph Beifong -NEW-

In this I discuss what I would like to see done in fanfiction with Toph’s character after ten years of reading Avatar the Last Airbender fanfiction

A small essay addressing the frequently asked question on giving your blind character a superpower to help them “see.”

It’s became a popular question, so to make the answer easier/faster for everyone to access, I wrote what will usually be my initial answer. Below there are a few links to some notable past questions on this subject.

Mourning My Vision, it’s More than Depression. 

A small personal essay addressing the nuances of the mourning period you experience with a new disability. The mourning period is mentioned in other guides, but this is more detailed.

Dealing with Heightened Senses, a video by Molly Burke with additional commentary by me

While Molly talks about the myths and truths about heightened senses, I talk about the correlation with blindness and neuro-divergency and how co-morbid disorders/disabilities might affect sensory processing.

Satirical Commentary on the phrase “that blank look in their eyes” used too often in fiction to identify a blind character

a:tla, I’m looking at you (and my eyes aren’t blank)

I Found a Lost Piece of Blindness History

My grandmother told me about her blind aunt and how she sent letters. It led me to speculate about all the O&M things people develop on their own but never get a chance to pass onto other blind people. Technology and techniques are lost in history and reinvented, including the white cane ad guide dogs.

Includes a little history on the introduction of guide dogs into the 20th century

The Following are Answered Anon Questions

Making Your Blog More Accessible

Making Links Accessible to Screen Readers

Reblogging to Add an Image Description to Someone Else’s Image

Why I Write Image Descriptions

Writing Blind Characters

Advice for a Character Who was Born Blind

Over-Protective Parents of a Blind Character, Why They’re Over-Protective and How to Avoid Crossing a Line

A Blind Character in Victorian Era Historical Fiction

Is It Bad Not to Have Guide Dogs in a Fantasy/Historical Setting Without Guide Dogs (short answer: it’s not bad)

Someone Asked About My Thoughts on a Medusa-like Character Blinding Herself to Avoid Hurting Anyone

-New- Characters Who Have Recently Gone Blind and Avoiding Inspiration Porn

Talking about Popular Blind Characters In Media

Does Daredevil’s Echolocation Negate His Blindness

Someone Else was Asked How to Write Daredevil Fanfiction

Blind Characters with Superpowers/Fighting Styles

World Setting where the General Population has a Superpower

Superpowers that don’t involve sight, Five questions to ask yourself if this superpower is a bad idea or a good one

-New- Your character would not use a cane as a weapon, it’s a bad idea

D&D/Roleplaying Blind Characters

-New- Animal Familiars Acting as Service Animals and Advice for Communicating with Your DM

-New- Portraying Older Blind Characters + Causes for Vision Loss with Old Age

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genuinely one of my favourite details about Bram Stokers Dracula that isn't really transferred to the pop culture is that vampires have irridescent eyes, they appear brown at a glance, however when light is reflected on them they seem to go red!

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This is a post where you can find all of my advice given in long text posts and asks very easily, all in one place, so you don’t need to search through the tags. My ask box is always open if you ever want advice or support. I will try my best to answer as fully as possible and help you out. I will update this post with the posts as I do them. 

How To Start A Studyblr 

this is one of my most commonly asked questions so here is a really long post where i give you all of my tips on how to start a studyblr and also get involved in the community

How To Stop Procrastinating

in this post, i give you some of my tips for how to stop procrastinating and getting productive. i include both some conventional tips but also some unconventional ones that you can try out.

How To Annotate

i give you all of my best tips for annotating - both in general and more specifically for literature (novels, plays and poetry) - from my own experiences and some research 

My Experiences With GCSEs

in this post i talk about what i did to revise for the first external exams i’ve done. even though the title sounds very specific, it mostly gives all my advice on revision techniques and preparing for exams.

The Best Apps for Students

as the name suggest, in this post i give some of my favourite apps for students and the ones that i use all the time

List of Essay Questions for Foreign Languages (for Beginners)

this was answer to an ask but i think it deserves to be in this section. basically i give a bunch of questions separated into different categories that could be used to build an essay or just as writing practice for beginners in a foreign language. they are all given in english but they can be easily translated. 

My Favourite Pens (2019)

i am a huge stationery lover so in this post (which was my very first big post) i give some of my absolute favourites

My Study Routine during Exam Season

Tips for Staying Focused (with ADHD)

Motivation/Discipline tips

Talking about My Motivation

Tips for When You Are Feeling Overworked or Anxious and How Keep Up with Your Work

Tips for When You are Having a Rough Day

Tips for Taking Studyblr Pictures

My A Levels and How Hard They Are

Tips for Starting a Studyblr and How to Get Involved in the Community: [Ask 1] [Ask 2]

How to Make Friends on Studyblr

Tips for Doing Languages at A Level

Books, Films and TV Shows to Practice German

2020 Quarantine Challenge : March - July 2020

Summer Studying Challenge: July - September 2020

The Studyblr Community Challenge: Can be done at any time

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Resources For Describing Emotion

Emotions

Without Making Your Character Feel Too Self Aware

Showing Emotion Without Telling About It

Emotions Associated With Body Language

Telling Readers What The Character Doesn’t Want To Show

Hiding Emotions

Expressing Cardinal Emotions: Masculine vs. Feminine

Writing Extreme Emotion Without Melodrama

Specific Emotions

Conveying Shock

Conveying Embarrassment

Conveying Disappointment

Conveying Love/Attraction

Conveying Annoyance

Conveying Relief

Conveying Uncertainty

Conveying Impatience

Conveying Shame

Conveying Resentment

Conveying Panic

Conveying Guilt

Conveying Desperation

Conveying Sarcasm & Verbal Disrespect

Conveying Confusion

Conveying Stubbornness

Conveying Frustration

Conveying Indifference

Conveying Indignation

Conveying Confidence & Pride

Conveying Smugness

Conveying Enthusiasm

Conveying Curiosity

Conveying Hopefulness

Conveying Unease

Conveying Reluctance

Conveying Worry

Conveying Humility & Meekness

Conveying Happiness & Joy

Conveying Amusement

Conveying Disgust

Conveying Resignation

Conveying Jealousy

Conveying Anticipation

Conveying Contentment

Conveying Defeat

Conveying Excitement

Conveying Fear

Conveying Hatred

Conveying Hurt

Conveying Being Overwhelmed

Conveying Sadness & Grief

Conveying Satisfaction

Conveying Somberness

Conveying Sympathy & Empathy

Conveying Wariness

Conveying Defensiveness

Conveying Desire

Conveying Doubt

Conveying Energy

Conveying Exhaustion

Conveying Hunger

Conveying Loneliness

Conveying Physical Pain

Emotional Wounds

A Role Model Who Disappoints

A Sibling’s Betrayal

A Speech Impediment

Becoming a Caregiver at an Early Age

Being Bullied

Being Fired or Laid Off

Being Held Captive

Being Mugged

Being Publicly Humiliated

Being Raised by Neglectful Parents

Being Raised by Overprotective Parents

Being So Beautiful It’s All People See

Being the Victim of a Vicious Rumor

Being Stalked

Being Trapped in a Collapsed Building

Being Unfairly Blamed For The Death of Another

Childhood Sexual Abuse (by a family member or known person)

Discovering One’s Parent is a Monster

Discovering One’s Sibling was Abused

Experiencing a Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Failing At School

Failing To Do The Right Thing

Financial Ruin Due To A Spouse’s Irresponsibility

Finding Out One’s Child Was Abused

Finding Out One Was Adopted

Getting Lost In a Natural Environment

Growing Up In A Cult

Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

Growing Up In Foster Care

Growing Up In The Public Eye

Growing Up In The Shadow of a Successful Sibling

Growing Up with a Sibling Who Has a Chronic Disability or Illness

Having Parents Who Favored One Child Over Another

Having To Kill Another Person To Survive

Infertility

Infidelity (emotional or physical)

Losing a Limb

Losing a Loved One To A Random Act of Violence

Making a Very Public Mistake

Overly Critical or Strict Parents

Physical Disfigurement

Rejection By One’s Peers

Telling The Truth But Not Being Believed

The Death of a Child On One’s Watch

Victimization via Identity Theft

Watching A Loved One Die

Wrongful Imprisonment

Spending Time In Jail

Suffering From a Learning Disability

Motivation

Achieving Spiritual Enlightenment

Avoiding Certain Death

Avoiding Financial Ruin

Beating a Diagnosis or Condition

Being Acknowledged and Appreciated by Family

Being a Leader of Others

Being the Best At Something

Caring for an Aging Parent

Carrying on a Legacy

Catching The Bad Guy or Girl

Coming To Grips With Mental Illness

Discovering One’s True Self

Escaping a Dangerous Life one Doesn’t Want

Escaping a Killer

Escaping a Widespread Disaster

Escaping Confinement

Escaping Homelessness

Escaping Invaders

Finding Friendship or Companionship

Finding a Lifelong Partner

Having a Child

Helping a Loved One See They Are Hurting Themselves and Others

Obtaining Shelter From The Elements

Overcoming Abuse and Learning To Trust

Overcoming Addiction

Protecting One’s Home or Property

Pursuing Justice For Oneself or Others

Realizing a Dream

Reconciling with an Estranged Family Member

Rescuing a Loved One From a Captor

Restoring A Name or Reputation

Righting a Deep Wrong

Seeking Out One’s Biological Roots

Stopping an Event From Happening

Trying Again When One Has Previously Failed

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Like us and share on Facebook!

Read More On Our Masterlist & See our Frequently Asked Questions!

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things that should be completly normal:

not going to uni

taking as much time as needed before going to uni

changing your majors many times before finding what you like

changing your career path

not knowing what you want

attending a community college 

valuing your health over your grades

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20 | 10 | 20

Hi everyone! I haven't posted because I have been very busy with uni and keeping up my scholarship. Right now I'm going through a bit of a rough time, but I'm getting better with time. My classes have gotten easier to handle, so it's a plus for me. The pics are some of my notes that I did in order to study for my upcoming cognitive psych exam as a revision method, which is on Thursday. I am so nervous because we're covering pretty much 20 topics, so, yeah, wish me luck!

Studyblr Community Challenge

Day 3 ✨

Why did you create your studyblr account?

Well, I wanted to give it a shot at being part of the content-sharing part of the studyblr community. I like the idea of romanticizing studying and daily tasks that are usually a hassle to do, and this has been working for me so far. It's difficult to share content every day, but I'll keep trying my best 💞

To Do list:

Upload an infographic on skincare for a campaign on good habits for my Personal Development class

Turn in my completed essay on labor union for Academic Writing

Revise for cognitive psych's exam on Thursday

Upload today's work for my English class

Take notes for psychobiology

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07 | 10 | 20

Hi everyone! I know I'm a little behind the challenge, but tbh, university do be leaving me no time to even get into social media these days. I'll just leave y'all with a picture of me working on my cognitive psych paper (left) and the part of my wall that I'll start decorating with images and artwork of mine (right).

Studyblr Community Challenge

Day 2:

Explain your studyblr URL

Well, my URL is little-study-space because I have been involved in the studyblr community for a few years now, so I always wished to share my own content, to share my own piece of work to the community. So, what a better name to my studyblr URL than little-study-space? This is my little space to study, to be myself in the internet, and I really like it.

To do List:

Upload today's asynchronous homeworks for my English class

Upload an essay for my Academic Writing class on labor laws

Turn in a paper on the topic of memory for my Cognitive Psych class

Take notes for my Psychobiology class

Take notes for my Personal Development class

Start an essay for Personality Theories based on Skinner's operational conditioning

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Not to offer advice nobody asked for but fixing ur sleep schedule is life changing

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01 | 10 | 20

So, today it's the start of ✨ s p o o k y s z n ✨

I'm so excited for october!! Even the cover of my bullet journal for october is really well made compared to the other months.

Today I met one of my recently-made uni friends at a Starbucks to hang out, obviously following all protocoles for the virus and with a safe distance. We spent hours talking, and it was amazing 💞

Also, I'm starting to do the Studyblr Community Challenge, hosted by @myhoneststudyblr

Day 1 of the Studyblr Community Challenge:

Introduce yourself and what you study

So, hi! My name is Gaby, and I'm currently studying at university. My major is Psychology, with a minor in the organizational area. I am really passionate about my major, and for now all I'm studying are basic concepts and processes. If anyone out there is studying psychology, feel free to reach me out! I'll feel so happy to meet others with the same major 💕

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30/09/20

30/100 Days of Productivity

Attended online classes

Studied Psychology

Studied Political Science

Made Political notes

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hobbies masterpost!

a really excellent way to reduce anxiety is to pick up a new hobby. find something you’re interested in, learn it, then use it as a healthy and productive way to cope.

learn to play guitar

learn how to make interactive stories with the free program Twine

learn how to make pixel art

learn another language

learn how to build a ship in a bottle

learn how to develop your own film

learn how to embroider

learn how to make chiptunes (8-bit music)

learn how to make origami (the art of paper folding)

learn how to make tumblr themes

learn how to make jewelry 

learn how to make candy

learn how to make terrariums

learn how to make your own perfume

learn how to make your own tea

learn how to build birdhouses

learn how to read tarot cards

learn how to make zines

learn how to code

learn how to whittle (wood carving)

learn how to make candles

learn how to make clay figurines

learn how to knit scarves

learn how to become an amateur astronomer

learn some yoyo tricks

learn how to start a collection

learn how to start body building

learn how to edit wikipedia articles

learn how to decorate iphone cases

learn how to do freelance writing

learn how to make your own cards and

learn how to make your own envelopes

learn how to play the ukulele 

learn how to make gifs

learn how to play chess

learn how to juggle

learn how to guerrilla garden

learn how to chart your family history

learn how to keep chickens

learn how to do yoga

learn how to do magic

learn how to raise and breed butterflies

learn how to play dungeons & dragons

learn how to skateboard

learn how to do parkour

learn how to surf

learn how to arrange flowers

learn how to make stuffed animals

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types of dark academia

classic academia: beige trench coats, wool sweaters. plaid skirts. think femme fatale, but educated. sobbing in bed late at night over the secret history or dead poets society. tea with milk and sugar. subsequent tea stains.

darkest academia: running through the rain, dimly lit by streetlights. brown tweed jackets, dress shoes. cold fingers and colder gazes. french-pressed black coffee, piping hot. dark, candlelit rooms with ancient wood floors/walls. 

light academia: white cable-knit sweaters, sparkly eyes and foggy glasses. going to art museums and falling in love with every portrait, every sculpture. caressing the petals of a rose, hearing the crinkle of leaves underfoot.

witchy academia: burning candles while reading or doing homework. black turtlenecks, velvet skirts. walking through the forest in autumn. passing a graveyard and feeling a greyish presence. waiting anxiously for samhain.

romantic academia: writing flowery poetry about someone you’ll never speak to (guilty oops). a cozy alizarin sweater, pleated skirts. slow dancing around your room to the beatles. curling up with warm, pallid cups of tea and a book.

scholarly academia: impeccable notes in class. leather bound bags crammed with textbooks and pens. lots of coffee with scones, and even more late nights. a wide vocabulary (that people constantly comment on). lives in the library.

theatre academia: shakespeare, all the time - quoting, reading, praying for a school production of a midsummer nights dream. or the crucible. memorizing lines in the wings. taking on your character’s traits, even outside the theater.

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The ABCDE Method: Accomplish Tasks more Efficiently

I recently came across the ABCDE method that’s similar to what I do to stay productive each day: instead of lumping up all your tasks, sort them into categories and tackle each of them differently. Here’s an outline of the method. Hope it helps :)

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You know, I see all these posts scattered throughout my dashboard and the tags about how the studyblr community mustn't forget that studying isn't perfect bujo's and pristine white desks, and that sometimes it's cramming using a Quizlet that you searched up because you didn't realize that your quiz was TODAY, and sometimes it's drafting a paper while you're at work because no one could take your shift. But you know what? Sometimes we need to romanticize ourselves. We need to have a glass of wine while we read our dull textbooks, and arrange perfect stationery on new bedding.

Embrace what makes you happy, and embrace what motivates you. If that is flawless notes and MUJI pens, then so be it. Flaunt that. If you love the unbridled chaos of a five hour study/research session, and revel in the tornado of paper and desktop tabs it creates, then cultivate that.

Stop caring what others think about what makes you happy and just embrace being happy for once.

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I'm in! 💞 so excited for this!

Here is my brand new challenge! I hope that you will all enjoy taking part in this challenge <3

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Info

This challenge will begin on the 1st October 2020 and will run for the entire month

HOWEVER! My plan for this challenge is also that it can be done at any time (like the 100 days of productivity challenge for example), so although it will be officially starting then (and that is when I will be doing it) you can start it at any time

There are 31 prompts - one for each day of the month

If you do the challenge, use the tag #studyblr community challenge so i can track the posts and see what you are all posting (and so others can see as well!)

Days 1 -14 are essentially a way to introduce yourself to the community and to find out about the person behind the blog!

Days 15 -28 are what really excite me about this challenge! Essentially, my initial idea was to do an ‘appreciation challenge’ and so these days are essentially this idea within the larger challenge. It is an opportunity to tag studyblrs that you love and let them know that you appreciate them 

The final three days of the challenge are about reflection and looking at yourself positively.  

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Aims

As the name suggests, I want this challenge to be about community 

Studyblr has personally helped me so much and I’ve met some incredible people and I thought this challenge would be a good way to bring the community closer 

When I was creating this challenge, I tried to keep in mind new studyblrs. I think that it is a good way of introducing yourself and getting involved in the community, as well as having things to post, if you have just started! It could also be a good way for people to find your blog!

That said, if you have been in studyblr for a while (for example, like me!), this challenge is definitely still for you! I think it will be a good way for your followers to find out more about you and to discover some new blogs!

Overall, I hope that this challenge will promote positivity, appreciation and productivity

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Rules

If you want to do this challenge, please reblog this post

There are daily prompts for 31 days but challenges should never be a burden so you can post as frequently as you like/are able to 

When tagging, please do not spam people. Tag someone different for each day so we can share the love. 

I would suggest only tagging 1 person for each of the days but I understand that it could be a hard choice for some days. Therefore, I would say that a maximum of 3 people can be tagged for each of the days. 

Please be respectful. Some of the prompts are asking about personal opinions and you might disagree, but make sure to remember that everyone has had different experiences and the questions are designed to promote the sharing of ideas. 

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Prompts

Day 1 - Introduce yourself and tell us what you study!

Day 2 - Explain your studyblr URL! 

Day 3 - Why did you create your studyblr?

Day 4 - How long have you had a studyblr?

Day 5 - Have you ever done a challenge before?

Day 6 - Why did you decide to do this challenge and what is your goal?

Day 7 - What is your goal for your studyblr for the next few months?

Day 8 - What is the best thing about studyblr in your opinion?

Day 9 - What is the worst thing about studyblr in your opinion?

Day 10 - What is one thing you wished you could change about studyblr?

Day 11 - What is something that you have learnt from studyblr?

Day 12 - How much time do you spend on studyblr per day on average?

Day 13 - Do you have an ‘aesthetic’? If yes, what is it?

Day 14 - What are some of your study essentials?

Day 15 - Tag someone you look up to

Day 16 - Tag someone who has beautiful handwriting 

Day 17 - Tag someone who you think is really kind

Day 18 - Tag someone who makes you think more deeply about things

Day 19 - Tag someone you are grateful to have met

Day 20 - Tag someone who has a lovely aesthetic

Day 21 - Tag someone you think works really hard and deserves appreciation

Day 22 - Tag someone who makes you smile

Day 23 - Tag someone whose blog you always check 

Day 24 - Tag someone who posts the best text posts

Day 25 - Tag someone who gives good advice

Day 26 - Tag someone who you would like to get to know

Day 27 - Tag someone who makes you laugh 

Day 28 - Tag someone who you think everyone should follow

Day 29 - What are three things that you are proud of?

Day 30 - What are three things about yourself that you love?

Day 31 - What are three things that inspire you? 

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I really hope you will all get involved and if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an ask!

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TAGLIST

Seguir leyendo

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