[blparent] Speaking engagements at schools and the like

[Veronica Smith]

I always took a Kernel book for the staff/teacher and one or 2 for the
classroom.  I used to give one to each student, but that got a little
expensive for me but I always give each student a Braille card and a flyer
to take home, "Do you know a blind person?"  
I also tell these kiddos if they ever see me out and about please please
come and tell me their name and remind me of where they know me from.
Every now ad then I will have a student come up to me and say, my name is so
in so and you came and spoke to my class 5 years ago or even longer.  It
makes me feel good that they still remember me.
And I'm okay with the reason they remember me, it's my long white cane and
if I didn't have it, I would be just one of thousands of other women in this
world with brown hair.


-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rob Kaiser
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 11:06 AM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Speaking engagements at schools and the like

This is why I am really looking forward to talking to Breann's class. WHen I
did this years ago, I would do several braille alphabets on bookmarks and
give them to the kids. They really enjoyed getting them.

Also, when I was at Ralph's last week, I corrected the staff on something. 
They call Breann my helper. I said "She is my daughter not my helper." 
Again, that goes back to educating the public.



-----Original Message-----
From: Veronica Smith
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2013 9:53 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: [blparent] Speaking engagements at schools and the like

Hello, I'm a little behind since I got my new job.  But as for talking to
classrooms is super.  Why would anyone think that educating kiddos about
blindness is a bad thing.
If we take the time to educate the little ones, the misconceptions about
what we can or cannot do when they get older can and will be nipped in the
behind.
I have been speaking at classrooms since my daughter began Kindergarten and
the teachers have always appreciated it.  When I go, I always take lots of
literature about blind individuals, who they are and what they do.
And if you feel like a show and tell exhibit, so be it.  When we had our
kiddos, we knew this time would come, everyone is curious about how blind
peeps do anything.
I, for one, do not want all those kids thinking that  I  cannot do the same
things their sighted parents do.  I want each and everyone of them to know I
bake with my child, I go for long walks with her, I take her to the movies
and shopping at the mall.
I want those kids and others to know that I read with her, that I play
Frisbee at the park with her.  We cannot teach any of this by hiding behind
our walls or doors.
I am glad they want to know more, afterall, that is why they are in school,
right and maybe someday, they will be the ones to say, "ablind person can do
anything except drive safely on a city street!"  that is my motto!

Also, if I had a dog guide and someone said she was fat, I'd turn the table
on them and ask, why they thought that.  I would also tell the teacher it
was just a statement, not a true criticism.  I don't think they should be
punished for stating what they thought.   Do you?

V



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