[blindkid] Has this happened to anyone?

[Bonnie Lucas]

Something happened in PE yesterday which tells me that we still have a long way to go to help the school and staff understand that Aubrie is as capable
as the other children in the class. They had a situation where the children were to run around the gym as many times as possible. Aubrie was talking with
another student who is overweight and out of shape. This student knew that and she and Aubrie asked several students if they would be willing to be the
runner with Aubrie because Aubrie said that the route was confusing to her and she didn't feel comfortable running it by herself. They found no one who
was willing because as Aubrie put it, "they all assumed that I would slow them down." Aubrie is a fast runner and loves to run. So, she just went with
the girl and the girl quit, huffing and puffing after three times. Aubrie was not even breathing heavily. The teacher recognized this and agreed that Aubrie
should have been with someone who was in better shape. Aubrie was so angry that she could hardly tell me about it.  

Of course, the problem is that she just started PE after Christmas and I have not taken the time to speak personally or send a note to the PE teacher about
what blindness is and is not. Also the business of being a selfadvocate is still a piece of her personality that needs more work.  

My plan now is to send an educational note to the teacher in hopes of making the remainder  of the class better.  

Another thing that I wonder about. When I have tried to get Aubrie to role play with me on how to handle situations, she just refuses. I have tried to get
her to do this to help her with those advocacy skills. any ideas?   

Bonnie Lucas
(770) 992-0484
lucas.bonnie at gmail.com