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<DIV>Interesting question—whether Braille reading figures into identity as a
blind person... While I don’t espouse the idea that there is a “blind culture”
similar to the abundantly-clear deaf culture, I would have to say, as a person
who learned Braille young, I would be bereft without it—and am, when it isn’t
available! Apparently, as I’ve read in several sources, the areas of the brain’s
visual cortex usually earmarked for sight are transferred, in a blind person, to
use of other senses that take over for sight—and I have become a highly-visual
learner. Meaning, if you tell me something ten times, I finally get it; if you
make me learn it by tactile reading, it may take 3-4 times. I’d guess, really,
that my learning style is mixed—I have a highly visual structure, but because
Braille involves hand and arm movement, I probably have some kinesthetic aspects
(moving helps learning—the same reason that, when I’m hearing a lecture or
sermon, I can retain details later if I’m working on a crochet piece, or taking
notes on a slate, Brailler, notetaker or whatever). I am not sure what learning
style I’d have developed if I hadn’t been trained in Braille—it might be one of
those “chicken or egg” questions... I have gotten better at audio learning over
the years, but anything that needs close attention: music, recipes, appliance
manuals, poetry, devotional materials—absolutely must come in tactually, or it
doesn’t stick!! I think another area where it does impact identity, for me, is
in the fact that it contributes to my self-concept, and the conception in
sighted hiring managers, that I am an able employee; I would not have had the
many jobs I’ve had without Braille, and would not be nearly as capable without
it.</DIV>
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<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Sandra<BR>“To
love another person is to see the face of God.”<BR>(Les Miserables--the
musical)<BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>