[blindkid] parents of older children at convention

[Carol Castellano]

Hi Marsha,

My daughter (blind) as a teen used to enjoy the youth activities and 
the teen room.  She also attended meetings and events like the Talent 
Show, Mock Trial, and play.  I think her most favorite activities, 
tho, were meeting up with people, hanging around in rooms, and going 
out to eat.  One year--there was a boyfriend!  (See Convention Magic 
@ 
<http://www.nfb.org/legacy/BM/BM01/BM0107/bm010706.htm>http://www.nfb.org/legacy/BM/BM01/BM0107/bm010706.htm 
by Anonymous :-).)

My son (sighted) as a teen volunteered in child care, marauded about 
the hotel, and stayed up REALLY late with a group of kids (with whom 
he is still friendly).  He used to tell people he had friends from 
all across the country.
(You can watch my son grow in his views in his three brief articles 
in Perspectives on Blindness: Siblings Have Their Say  @ 
<http://nfb.org/legacy/fr/fr10/fr03ss24.htm>http://nfb.org/legacy/fr/fr10/fr03ss24.htm 
.)

I think they both thrived in the freedom we allowed them in the 
relatively restricted environment of the hotel and grounds.  All in 
all for us, Convention has been an activity that has given our family 
many shared experiences and cherished memories.

Best wishes,
Carol

Carol Castellano
Director of Programs
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.nopbc.org

At 05:04 PM 5/16/2011, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>
>
>Potentially I will be taking a 14, 13, and 11 year old to convention. My 13
>year old son is blind, and I have already signed him up for all and every
>youth track activity possible. I am a bit concerned about my 14 year old
>
>
>
>What do other parents do with teenagers while at convention?
>
>
>
>My fear is that my 14 year old, will be bored out of his mind. Yes, I am
>sure he would learn a lot about blindness, but there is ONLY so much for a
>14 year old to do, while I am in meetings, and doing the normal convention
>thing. It would be one thing if we were going to FL for a vacation, and
>could leave the hotel, but as we will be in the hotel most of our time. He
>is the type of child that is going to want to go out. Go out of the hotel
>and do sight seeing.  I am honestly not even worried about my 11 year old.
>
>
>
>If you have suggestions for me, ideas, advice, please email me off list at
>marsha.drenth at gmail.com
>
>
>
>Thank you,
>
>Marsha
>
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