[blindkid] kids away from home

[Cindy Conley]

We are very active in our church, but I am sad to say that the youth 
group retreats were where Kyle was treated with the least respect. We 
thought that church activities would be the 'safest' place for him to 
practice his independence, and it may be in most places, but it 
definitely was not in our church. Perhaps it was just our youth 
leaders???
Cindy Conley
cconley at fuse.net

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will 
annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
Herm Albright
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "H. Field" <missheather at comcast.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 12:53 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] kids away from home


> Dear Sally,
> Not yet allowed to go to church retreats? Are you being too 
> cautious?
>
> YES!!!
>
> That's the perfect place for him to learn that being too independent
> can get us left, for example, in the din-hall while everyone else 
> goes
> to the first activity. Or, conversely, getting left in the gymn 
> while
> everyone goes to the dining-hall.
>
> Your son is ready to enjoy church retreats and this is the time when
> he can make friends without all the added nonsense that goes along
> with high school.
>
> Now, you wouldn't expect me to say anything else would you Sally? :)
> Please have him e-mail me and tell me what he thinks of his first
> church retreat or youth group lock-in.
>
> Love to you and David.
>
> Heather Field
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 7:14 PM
> Subject: [blindkid] kids away from home
>
>
> At what age did you let your kids attend overnight activities that
> were not run by blindness or disability centered groups without you?
> I'm sure it depends on the maturity of the child as well as the type
> of group.  I must say that I worry about my son either being babied 
> or
> left behind somewhere.  I'm not sure if the "age appropriate 
> behavior"
> idea applies or not since I would have to rely on others--not just 
> my
> son's abilities.  He's pretty independent but sometimes I think he 
> may
> be too independent to ask for appropriate help.  And it seems to me
> that most people are pretty clueless about blindness.  I know I 
> could
> talk with them about it but I'm still a bit nervous.
>
> He's attended several away from home activities at the school for 
> the
> blind and the Louisiana Buddy Program but I'm not as comfortable
> sending him to church retreats.  Am I being too cautious?
>
> Sally Thomas
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