ART BY:
 Boom /  romanticponydream

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hOI!!!!!!

The final day of BronyCon was certainly a sad one. It was hard to think that what would go on today would be the very end of an era. An era that, for me, helped me accept going 100% blind, find that I could be an advocate for those with special needs, and even learn to cope with numerous traumas in my own life between 2013 and 2017 ranging from being bullied out of a job, said job not giving me a single chance to relocate in the company despite it being a ‘reasonable accommodation, getting tricked out of my full benefit by Long Term Disability, being made to pay back money to LTD, going through an entire year of surgeries, procedures, back-and-forth trips from home to the hospital equaling easily 2,000 miles, and coming to accept that my eyesight was truly gone with no chance to ever return.


We all took it pretty easy going into the day. Our primary event to attend was Bonnie Zacherel’s panel. It was definitely a most informative one as we got to hear the history of how she came up with, what would become, MLP and how it wasn’t until the MLP fandom for FiM that she finally got recognized for how she was the core creator of what has spawned countless toys, shows, and movies.


Bonnie also informed us as to the origin of the ‘Cutie Mark’. It turns out that she felt each horse should have something special on it. So she recalled the designs on the Appeloosa breed of horse and came up with what we now know as Cutie Marks!


Something I personally took away from Bonnie’s story is how it can take a very long time to be recognized for the work you are most proud and passionate of. However time will eventually grant you that moment in the sun for all you did to help enrich and inspire our world through our creative talents. It may take me until I’m 60+ years old but I know it is possible and I also know I won’t give up on doing my absolute best to be someone people can look up to for creative inspiration along with the desire to never give up on themselves regardless of what life circumstances befall them.


Speaking more on Bonnie, I was asked by a friend who was working for Michele Creber, voice of Apple Bloom, to get her autograph for him. So, once more, I got in the line for Ms. Zacherel so I could get a very special print signed for the very individual who helped set up the very first Coping With Limitations Through Pony in 2014. This friend has held various roles within BronyCon and was always very kind and helpful. He also was awesome in support when I was no longer able to fill out the Google Documentation for submissions once my eyesight left and my screen reading software was unable to navigate the GD forms.


Prior to Closing Ceremonies,  aricub, my son, and I attended the very last swap meet. It was here that my son got to show off more of his art to people in attendance. Previously, as I forgot to mention,  wayward_pony had a great art session with my son during the Thursday night art event. They both shared tips on how to improve their styles and also drew a really neat picture based on an idea they had and how they perceived it. (Saphy and Doodle provided some tips and advice for my son, too over the course of the weekend)


I mostly sat and listened to music during the final swap meet. However I was happy to meet Cosplay Spike for the last time while I was there, I wish I had gotten his real name. He gave me a Spike plush and we talked for a bit before saying our farewells. The other time we met was when Saphy, Daft, and I were getting the sea pony convention mascot plush when hours were over in the vendor hall.


Closing ceremonies was alright. There really wasn’t any surprises at it. Though it was nice to hear the convention chair encourage us to take part in other MLP conventions, like TrotCon, and to keep the spirit of friendship alive beyond the hallowed halls of BronyCon. (Currently, Wayward Pony may be keeping CWLTP going at TrotCon or AnthroCon based on potential opportunities in which may be afforded him to do so)


The rest of the time together was spent saying our respective goodbyes, going for a little walk in baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and just recalling all of our great memories of the time we were able to share together at the very last BronyCon.


Thanks for joining me on my adventures at BronyCon 2019. There are some things I know I missed, like my love for the character, Kerfluffel given to me by Doodle Noodle and seeing the plush of her she found, along with getting introduced to ‘Best Pony’ and ‘Best Griffon’ badges. There’s also the animation cel I got from My Little Pony Tales that features characters I’ve never seen with my own eyes, but have come to love, like Patch and Melody. Melody is notable for being voiced by Kelly Sheradin who is today’s Starlight Glimmer.


See you next adventure! Thanks to everyone who made this all possible for over seven years! It’s been a journey and the friendships I’ve built have been priceless! Here’s to even more wonderful times ahead as we continue to help each other cope with whatever may trouble us through the shared joy of the arts!


Your Pal:

---Yosh E. O’Ducky ; )