![]() Diann Shaddox is a Native American Indian and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. She’s an author, book-lover, and she has Essential Tremor. Diann was born on December 18th in a small southern town of Nashville, Arkansas, the youngest and only daughter of William and Mary Ann Shaddox. But, fate had stepped in and William, a crop-duster, at the age of 25, died in a plane crash on November 20th, the month before she was born, therefore, Diann was never able to meet her father. Three years later, Mary Ann, her mother, died leaving Diann to live with her grandparents. At the age of 10, Diann’s Granddad died of a stroke, leaving her Mamow alone to see to her. When Diann was in her early twenties life changed for her, her hands began to shake when she would do tedious work. No one, not even doctors, could figure out what was happening to her and they, the doctors, believed she was nervous, and just needed to calm down. One day, standing at the post office window in Louisville, Kentucky changed her world. A simple form containing her name and address, she wasn’t able to fill out. That one day she had to find her answers. A neurologist finally made the discovery that Diann had Essential Tremors. Not letting anything deter her, she continued life with the determination she had learned from her grandmother. Diann was unrelenting to do tedious work like counted cross-stitch on linen, and playing the piano even with trembling hands. It was as if her mind would relax letting her hands work without thinking. She learned how to hide her hands out in public, how to grip her drinking glass with both hands, and how to use her body for cover as much as possible. Things seemed to be working for years, but on her birthday, December 18th, 2010 her hands were shaking uncontrollably. 2010 had been a year when many people began to question and stared at her wondering why she was nervous or thinking maybe, she was just weird. Being out in public was difficult, the stares were tough, and once more, the simple feat of filling out forms was devastating to her. Even being in a doctor's office was difficult as they questioned why she was so nervous, giving her stares. That night of December 18th Diann sat in her office at home, anger grew watching her hands quiver, and for once in her life feeling sorry for herself. The question of why, a question without an answer played in her mind. Being a writer the words began to flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had deserted him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. The story of Quaid Witherspoon, the novel 'A Faded Cottage', became an incredible love story, one about strength of mind to fight fate and never accept what life throws at you. Through this process of bringing A Faded Cottage to life, Diann has learned so very much. Finding ET awareness groups on the web and Facebook, talking, listening to everyone’s stories so similar to hers, has brought calmness to her life. We have to tell others about ET, so they aren’t sitting alone wondering why this is happening to them. Even though the stares will forever be, she won’t give up. Now, Diann is determined the word will spread about ET and she is going to help make it happen. ![]() Book Reviews 5 ★★★★★ review for ‘A Faded Cottage’
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars, July 13, 2014
Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: A Faded Cottage (Kindle Edition) very good When a love letter written by a teenage boy becomes lost after a summer filled with passion, it brings about an incredible love story of two people being reunited, after thirty years.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Faded-Cottage-Diann-Shaddox-ebook/dp/B00GNGCM5Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384887001&sr=8-1&keywords=a+faded+cottage A Faded Cottage music composed by John Vaughn Aiken, SC
A FADED COTTAGE, a South Carolina love story, music composed by John Vaughn. When a love letter written by a teenage boy becomes lost after a summer filled with passion, it brings about an incredible love story of two people being reunited after thirty years. What if you were able to relive your life, if only for two weeks, and rediscover you teenage love? ![]() The Mom's Choice Awards Names 'A Faded Cottage' Among the Best in Family-Friendly Products (or service) For Immediate Release: April 23, 2014 For More Information Contact: Diann Shaddox The Mom’s Choice Awards Names “A Faded Cottage” Among the Best in Family-Friendly Products (or service) Summary: Eagle Quill Publishing is honored to announce that “A Faded Cottage” has earned the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award®. Having been rigorously evaluated by an MCA judging panel, “A Faded Cottage” is deemed to be among the best products / services for families. Full Release: The Mom’s Choice Awards® has named “A Faded Cottage” as among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost. “We are thrilled to earn the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence Seal of Approval,” says Eagle Quill Publishing. “We know all the great things the MCA does to connect consumers, educators, and caregivers with the best products and services available for families. What is especially important to us as a company, is that the Mom’s Choice Awards Team views us as part of the MCA family—not just “yesterday’s award cycle.” Thanks to the MCA Support Team, “A Faded Cottage” will have lifelong marketing and promotional support—helping us get the “A Faded Cottage” to the people who value it the most. To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five (5) identical samples for testing. Entries are matched to evaluators in the MCA database. Evaluators are bound by a strict code of ethics not only to ensure objectivity, but also to ensure that the evaluation is free from manufacturer influence. The five evaluations are submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final review and approval. “Our aim to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services,” explains Dawn Matheson, Executive Director of the Mom’s Choice Awards. “We have a passion to help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually. Parents and educators know that products and services bearing our seal of approval are high-quality and also a great value. The MCA evaluation program is designed incorporate the expertise of scientists, physicians and other specialists; but we also engage parents, children, educators, and caregivers because they are experts in knowing what is best for their families.” With the evaluation now complete, the testing samples of “A Faded Cottage” will be donated to schools, libraries, hospitals and nonprofit organizations. ![]() On December 18, 2010 I sat in my office and wrote “A Faded Cottage” a SC Christmas love story about an artist who develops Essential Tremor. My life has change dramatically because of this one small book. So today, I have to say "Happy Birthday Quaid Witherspoon." “A Faded Cottage” is a journal of only two weeks of Quaid Witherspoon’s life and takes place from December 18 to the first of the New Year. I’ve sat back pondered what my life would be like if I’d not published “A Faded Cottage” and continued with my plan of publishing my other books. I have to believe my journey was for a reason. Life can be a mystery and I wouldn't have taken on the challenge to start a new foundation, Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor if I’d stayed the path that I’d planned. I became adamant to make a change when I talked to people around the country and no one had heard of Essential Tremor, even though I had been diagnosed with Essential Tremor for over thirty years and over 42 million people in the world have ET. I kept asking myself; how could that be? Something needed to be done. I soon learned that one cold December night changed my life. For the better only time will tell that answer. It was the night of December 18, 2010, my birthday, a very calm and uneventful night. I couldn't sleep, which isn't unusual for me, so I made my way downstairs to my cubby office. I decided that I’d work on one of my novels. I sat in front of the computer and began to type, but it seemed my fingers and hands had another idea as they shook uncontrollably hovering over the keyboard. If you've tried to text as you are riding in a car or train when it’s bumpy, then you might understand how difficult it is to type when you have trouble with tremoring fingers hitting the correct keys. I’d learn to deal with my tremors for many years, but this night it became overpowering. I leaned back in my chair. I sat there and stared at the computer screen. My anger grew watching my hands quiver over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why me, a question without an answer, played repeatedly in my mind. I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. I let my tremoring hands type and the words, “Happy birthday dumb-ass” were written across the screen. I laughed and let the words flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had abandoned him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. I didn't plan the story of Quaid that night, but his character emerged from my mind and the story grew, while I told Quaid’s story. The story of Quaid Witherspoon, the novel 'A Faded Cottage', became an incredible love story, one about strength of mind to fight fate and never accept what life throws at you. ‘A Faded Cottage’ is journal of a famous artist not of his life, but of only two weeks, a love story about aging and two people being reunited after thirty years finding love can conquer all. Through this process of bringing ‘A Faded Cottage’ to life, I have learned so much and talking, listening to everyone’s stories that are so similar to mine has increased my desire to make a difference. Essential tremor (ET) Essential Tremor, ET is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or body. Over 42 million people worldwide (including children) have ET, the largest movement disorder in the world. ET can begin at any age, from birth to 100. ET doesn't discriminate with age, race, sex, or national origin. Most people believe only older people have ET and that it is just a social problem. However, ET is DEMORALIZING, DEVASTATING, & DEBILITATING for all ages. ET is Demoralizing. It is embarrassing when you are not able to hold a pencil or crayon in your hand to write or color and people stare and laugh. ET is Devastating. Living with uncontrollable tremor makes it difficult to dress and feed yourself. Many people will never live their dream of being an artist, musician, singer, actor, doctor, or nurse. ET is Debilitating. It isn’t just a social problem when you cut and burn yourself as you try to cook, can’t drive a car, and you are fired from a job because your hands tremor. Many people lose the ability to talk from voice tremors and aren’t able to write or sign to communicate. Suicide & bullying (all ages) is another problem. The list continues. The answers to help everyone living with ET are to bring awareness around the world and find a cure for ET. I have become an activist to bring awareness to Essential Tremor. I am now the Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor a national Non-Profit public organization 501 c(3). DSF, Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor mission is to educate and increase awareness about people afflicted with Essential Tremor. DSF works with people worldwide to show that ET is an international progressive disorder. We are unwavering to assist families with our Anti-Bullying Program, Suicide Prevention Program, Family Assistance Program, and to donate medical research grants to doctors to find a cause and cure. DSF will make a difference in millions of people’s lives and directly change the future for everyone who will inherit or develop Essential Tremor. www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org Please go to www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org and donate, every penny counts and will bring us closer to finding a cause and cure. Now, 'A Faded Cottage' has become a vehicle to explain about Essential Tremor and how so many live each day with tremoring hands, head, voice, and entire body. Diann Shaddox Foundation for ET and I will make a difference please join me. ![]() Diann Shaddox is an author, speaker, and Founder of the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. Diann Shaddox is best known for her released books: A Faded Cottage, a SC love story about an artist with Essential Tremors; Whispering Fog, a time travel romance; Miranda, The Pink Rose, a historical fiction, a journal of a young girl living in the late 1800's; Spirits of Sacred Mountain, about a young Native American Indian boy's life spinning out of control and a magical mountain with deep hidden secrets; and The Gatekeeper of Crystal Pond, Not What Lies Above, but Below" www.diannshaddox.com She was diagnosed with Essential Tremor and has since become an advocate for awareness and research toward finding a cure for ET. She created the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor March 2014. Diann is a Native American and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. ![]()
My Journey
I've had many people ask me questions of why I started the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. I hope this answers many questions. My passion is writing and I had put off writing my stories for years. It seemed excuses kept flowing of being busy and everyone will think that I’ve gone crazy. After many years of excuses I began my journey of writing. However, my real journey began one night when I wrote “A Faded Cottage” a love story about an artist living with Essential Tremor. Why I wrote 'A Faded Cottage' It was my birthday, the night of December 18, 2010, a very calm and uneventful night. I couldn’t sleep, which isn’t unusual for me, so I made my way downstairs to my cubby office. I decided since I was wide-awake that I’d work on one of my novels. I sat down in front of the computer and began to type, but it seemed my fingers and hands had another idea as they shook uncontrollably over the keyboard. If you’ve tried to text as you are riding in a car or train when it’s bumpy, then you might understand how difficult it is to type with tremoring fingers when you have trouble hitting the correct keys. You see, I have had Essential Tremor from my early twenties and I’d learn to deal with my tremors for many years. But this night it became overpowering. I leaned back in my chair and stared at the computer screen. My anger grew watching my hands quiver over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why me, a question without an answer, played repeatedly in my mind. I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes and I let my tremoring hands type and the words, “Happy birthday dumb-ass” were written across the screen. I laughed and let the words flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had abandoned him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. I didn’t have the story of Quaid planned that night. His character emerged from my mind and as the story grew I calmed while I released the stress of the evening telling Quaid’s story, a journal of only two weeks of his life. The story of Quaid Witherspoon, the novel 'A Faded Cottage', became an incredible love story, one about strength of mind to fight fate and never accept what life throws at you. ‘A Faded Cottage’ is journal of a famous artist not of his life, but of only two weeks, a love story about aging and two people being reunited after thirty years finding love can conquer all. I put “A Faded Cottage” aside and kept editing my other stories to send to publishers, but “A Faded Cottage” kept pulling me in. I let friends read the manuscript and they believed I should go ahead and publish the novel to let others understand what I was living through with my tremoring hands. So began my journey. I gave in and sent the manuscript to publishers. To my surprise, I had a publisher come back to me right away and A Faded Cottage became my first novel. Then, I learned no one knew what ET was, so at my book signings I started to tell my story about ET. Well, the fire of spreading the word about Essential Tremor that I’d leaped into continued and I decided to start my own foundation. However, the first of May, my life was jerked to a stop. My healthy young son, who was backing me on my journey, went to the hospital with a headache. We learned he had an aggressive stage 4 cancerous tumor the size of a lemon in his brain. He elected to have surgery, never woke, and died on May 20, 2014. My life now had changed or maybe seemed to have ended. In June I sat back and reflected about my journey that had all started with one little book “A Faded Cottage.” How that one night on my birthday writing that book had sent me on a wild journey and I didn’t know if I wanted to continue. I had set out just to write my stories, but my life had turned into a whirlwind and now I had to make a decision. I decided to take some time to think and I began the edits on “Whispering Fog” a time travel romance. My editor and I finished “Whispering Fog,” and the novel was published. I don’t give up easy and knew my son would be disappointed if I didn’t continue with the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. On August 29, 2014 the IRS approved Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. What will my journey be in the future? I have become adamant to make a change, bring awareness, and find a cure for ET. My light is growing dim, and my energy has grown low, however I will see what the future holds, and whether the flame will be distinguished or grow stronger to tell the world about Essential Tremor. I'm asking for support. There are many ways to support a foundation. Donate time to help with whatever you can, write articles, start a newsletter, help with IT services, so many ways to volunteer. Yes, it does take a lot of people and funds to advertise, bring awareness, and grant medical research money to doctors, to make a difference. I hope you will join me on my journey and if you have any questions that you’d like answered, I’d be glad to help. dsfoundation@atlanticbb.net
![]() My story of why began many years ago. You see, when I was in my early twenties life changed for me, my left hand began to shake when I would do tedious work. No one, not even doctors, could figure out what was happening and they, the doctors, believed I was nervous, and just needed to calm down and that, I have to say, made me furious. Yes, I was a young mother and things were busy in my life, but I wasn't nervous, my left hand just shook and I couldn’t make it stop. One day, standing at a Post Office window in Louisville, Kentucky changed my world. Up until that point, I had handled the shakes and the stares, but... A simple form containing my name and address, that I was supposed to fill out, changed my life. I stood there, and not only my left hand was shaking but my right hand was waving in the air, with a line of people and the post office clerk staring at me in a confused and not so polite stare making my tremors go wild. Tears grew in my eyes and I tried to wipe them before they rolled down my face with my fluttering hand. I grabbed my package turned and ran out of the Post Office. I had tried to ignore my tremors and hadn't noticed or maybe just hadn't paid attention that my right hand had begun to tremor. I know it's difficult for many people to understand why it is so terrifying not to be able to write. Not only the humiliation, embarrassment, but feeling so inept, clumsy, a bumbling idiot. I had to find answers. I worked diligently going to doctors and still had the same result, I was nervous. I knew I had to do something so I called and made an appointment with a neurologist. I told the nurse that my family doctor had sent me, which wasn't true because he didn't think anything was wrong with me. My neurologist Dr. Holmes told me that I had Essential Tremors. This may sound weird, but I do have to say it was a huge relief just to know that I wasn't crazy and there was something wrong with me. He prescribed Inderal, a Beta blocker. I stayed on Inderal for years until my blood pressure kept dropping way too low and I had to stop the medicine. So, now, I'm off of all medicine and I just let my hands shake. In the last year, not only my hands tremor, but my head, voice, and I've noticed my legs and body will tremor when I get overly tired or stressed. I’m lucky that my ET didn't progress as fast as so many people around the world has done. For years I thought I was all alone, the only person with ET. I hadn't heard of anyone else with my disorder, so I tried to hide my hands and not tell anyone. You see anyone with ET learns quickly to grip their hands together to keep them from tremoring. Of course, that doesn't make it easy to eat, drink, or do things out in public. In 2010, my hands for some reason began to tremor worse and I'd had some confrontations with people about my hands shaking. If you know me, then you understand that I don’t sit back when someone says smart remarks to me; I have to say something back. Well, the kicker was, my worst confrontation was at my doctor’s office that I’d been going to for years. I assumed all the office staff understood what ET was. I was wrong. That will be another story for another time. Months went by and for the first time in my life, the frustration grew just as my hands tremoring. I was so tired of trying to do tedious things that took twice as long. Simple things became difficult, like when I was recently at someone’s home and was offered a cappuccino, which I love, I had to decline the offer. I couldn't have held the small cup and would have splashed it everywhere. I began to pay attention to what I ordered in restaurants, since food on my fork or spoon could fly off before making it to my mouth and I never go to a buffet. Little things get to me, things we all take for granted, doing makeup, putting on jewelry, and even writing grocery notes that no one can read have become problematic. The stares make my hands tremor worse. On December 18, 2010, which was my birthday, I went to my cubby office. I sat down at the computer to work on one of my books I was finishing, but my hands were tremoring uncontrollably. That night, I’d had enough; my frustration of my hands fluttering like bird’s wings over the keyboard was too much. I sat in my dark office and began to type. The first word appeared on the screen, Happy birthday dumb ass, and Quad Witherspoon, an artist that develops ET believing his life is over since he can’t paint his masterpieces anymore, became alive right in front of me. “A Faded Cottage”a novel I hadn't planned to write, was born that December night. “A Faded Cottage” was published in 2013 and it has become a vehicle to share to the world about living with ET. Time moved on and I found out, by searching the internet, I wasn't alone and over 10 million Americans and millions worldwide have been diagnosed with Essential Tremor. I began to ask people; do you know what Essential Tremor is? My answer 99% of the time has been no. How can this be? I wanted more answers. Over the last year, I've become an activist and adamant to bring awareness to the world about living with ET. I decided to show my tremoring hands and not try to hide them anymore, even though it is very difficult at times. I had to get the word out there about ET and to make this happen I started my own foundation, the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor, a Non-Profit public organization 501 c(3) to bring awareness . We have to get the word out there to make this happen. I can’t do this alone and I do have others joining DSF, but I need your help. Please give and support all you can, any size donation no matter how small whatever you can to make this happen. www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org ![]() Why I wrote 'A Faded Cottage' It was the night of December 18, 2010, my birthday, a very calm and uneventful night. I couldn’t sleep, which isn’t unusual for me, so I made my way downstairs to my cubby office. I decided, since I was wide-awake that I’d work on one of my novels. I sat down in front of the computer and began to type, but it seemed my fingers and hands had another idea as they shook uncontrollably. If you’ve tried to text as you are riding in a car or train when it’s bumpy, then you might understand how difficult it is to type when you have trouble hitting the correct keys with tremoring fingers. You see, I have had Essential Tremor from my early twenties and I’d learn to deal with my tremors for many years, but this night it became overpowering. I leaned back in my chair and stared at the computer screen, my anger grew watching my hands quiver over the keyboard, and for once in my life I felt sorry for myself. The question of why me, a question without an answer, played repeatedly in my mind. ![]() I took in a deep breath, closed my eyes and I let my tremoring hands type and the words, “Happy birthday dumb-ass” were written across the screen. I laughed and let the words flow and Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist, was born. A man who had everything or so he thought, but now his hands had abandoned him and his life of painting had ceased, becoming a bitter man. I didn’t have the story of Quaid planned that night, but his character emerged from my mind and as the story grew my hands calmed, while I released the stress of the evening, telling Quaid’s story, a journal of only two weeks of his life. The story of Quaid Witherspoon, the novel 'A Faded Cottage', became an incredible love story, one about strength of mind to fight fate and never accept what life throws at you. ‘A Faded Cottage’ is journal of a famous artist not of his life, but of only two weeks, a love story about aging and two people being reunited after thirty years finding love can conquer all. Through this process of bringing ‘A Faded Cottage’ to life, I have learned so much. Finding the Essential Tremor awareness groups on Facebook, talking, listening to everyone’s stories so similar to mine has brought calmness to my life. Now, 'A Faded Cottage' has become a vehicle to explain about Essential Tremor and how millions live each day with tremoring hands, head, voice, and entire body. I have become an activist to bring awareness to Essential Tremor and founded the Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor, Non-Profit 501c(3) organization committed to help people struggling in today’s world with Essential Tremor. DSF is dedicated to inspire, educate, enlighten, and increase awareness to the world about people living every day with uncontrollable tremors. Proceeds from the sales of 'A Faded Cottage' books go to Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor. Essential tremor (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs, or trunk. About 10 million Americans have Essential Tremor and million more people worldwide. That's about 5% of all people in the United States. For comparison sake, 7.8% of the population have some type of diabetes. Most people though haven’t heard about Essential Tremor and I’m adamant to bring attention to the world. Millions of children and adults live each day with uncontrollable shakes from essential tremor, the largest movement disorder in the world. Awareness and education will stop the bullying, people losing their jobs, college students having their dreams disappear and end depression for people worldwide who are living with hand, voice, head, and body tremors. The Diann Shaddox Foundation for Essential Tremor will make a difference and directly change the future for everyone who will inherit or develop ET. With awareness, people with movement disorders can come out of hiding; live normal lives as anyone with a disability. Please go to www.diannshaddoxfoundation.org and donate, every penny counts and will bring us closer to finding a cause and cure. ![]() 06/13/2013 Guest on Tista Ray's website http://tistarayofficial.weebly.com/7/post/2013/06/character-interview-quaid-witherspoon-from-a-faded-cottage.html Today I am pleased to have Diann Shaddox , the author of 'A Faded Cottage', with us. She joins us with Quaid Witherspoon. ••• click below to read more Guest on Tista Ray's website ![]() A FADED COTTAGE available March 17th, 2013 I would like to introduce you to A FADED COTTAGE! A FADED COTTAGE A South Carolina love story A tale of only two weeks alters Quaid Witherspoon, a famous artist’slife, when fate reunites him, after thirty years, with his love from his past. Quaid & Sandy met, falling in love, when they were teenagers on the beach of Hathaway Cove in the summer of 1952. A love that you only find once in your life. A love that lasted a lifetime. But, a lost letter keeps Quaid & Sandy apart for thirty years. Now, fate, a painting left in a faded cottage, pulls Quaid & Sandy back to that same beach finding their love is alive. But will their love be enough to keep them together, when Sandy reveals her... secret. What if you were able to relive your life and rediscover your teenage love… Would you? ![]() It was a beautiful winter day, Saturday January 12th in South Carolina on Folly’s beach, a perfect day, in the high 70’s, to take pictures for A Faded Cottage’s book trailer. Driving down to the coast the fog that was inland disappeared, but along the coast, the fog began to roll onto the beach giving off a mystic that was enchanting. We took about 100 pictures and some, I hope, will be used someday for a book trailer for Whispering Fog. |
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![]() Hi I'm Diann welcome and join me on my adventure. I'm the author of "A Faded Cottage" & "Whispering Fog" and Founder of Diann Shaddox Foundation. I'm a member of the Wyandotte Nation & I have Essential Tremor (ET). I love to travel, cook, which leads to eating and I love wines. Chardonnay is my favorite unless I'm eating steak then I'll take a glass of Cabernet.
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