[Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around

Sat Aug 28 14:40:53 UTC 2010

Welcome, Dick!  This is Terrence from Anchorage.  You're on the right track with the little guy; I think it's important for blind kids to have all the same opportunity as their sighted counterparts, and that includes crafts.  I myself grew up in a crafty household; my mother was into cross-stitch, dad built me a bed frame, plus my mom's whole side of the family did all kinds of creative pursuits.  So I was exposed to a whole bunch of things.  Plus I had teachers who made sure I was included in the same crafts that the other kids were doing.
	Over the years, I've done everything from leatherwork to pottery to plastic canvas (briefly, though am thinking of taking it up again), weaving, and whatever else came my way, inclu
ding Braille drawing.  '-)  One of my favorites currently that seems to be a hit with kids is kumihimo, a Japanese cord-making technique for which I have posted instructions a few weeks back.  I've taught it to kiddos and they loved it.  In fact that might be a good place to start introducing crafts where he won't yet need to worry about getting messy, then maybe move into something that takes a little gluing or the like.  Another good thing to try with him might be leather stamping; this only requires that he deal with a little water to moisten the leather, and is probably one of the first crafts my aunt introduced me to.  How old is the little guy?  I don't think there's too many crafts that can't be adapted in some way to make them work for a blind person.
	Drifting off the subject of crafts for a moment (pardon if this is a little OT, folks), I would encourage Mom to be a bit less protective, no more so than she would be of a sighted kiddo.  A good rule of thumb would be, "Would you let a sighted kiddo do this?" If the answer is yes, then the blind kid should be allowed to do the same things.  It's important for blind kids to be treated just like any other kids; just adapt things if needed.  I feel that one of the best things my parents did for me was to raise me just like any other kid.  I climbed jungle gyms, got my hands dirty with clay, went to camp, finger-painted, played on the swings...all the normal childhood things that every other kid was doing.  Sure I did activities geared to blind kids specifically as well, but I mainly just lived a normal kid's life.  My blindness was never hidden, but it didn't govern my life either.  I hope that your nephew is able to have that experience as well.

Terrence, guy crafter and uncle to 16+
Twitter: www.twitter.com/terrencevane
Kingdoms Live Code: bgc5a6

On Aug 27, 2010, at 10:28 PM, "Dick Carlson" <dick.carlson0428 at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
> 
> I'm Dick and found out about this list through a teacher who works with blind kids.  I hope this list is for everyone, including sighted folks.
> 
> I am helping to raise my little nephew, and he's a totally blind kid who is perhaps a tad socially delayed for his age.  I mainly try to spend a lot of time with him and wanted to see how much he and I could do together to stimulate him a bit.  He has been very over-protected by his mom, who means very well but sometimes doesn't know whether or not to let him do things on his own.
> I realize most guys don't really get into crafts, but I think working with your hands can be fun and I have no problem with it.
> I hope there are other guys on this list to share with as well.
> 
> One of the things my little nephew is not used to doing or maybe doesn't like doing is to do a lot of exploring with his hands.  He's not been encouraged.  In addition, he doesn't really like getting his hands dirty or into things, because he's always been taught to sit still and stay clean and all that stuff that most children don't do!
> I'd love to expose him to this sort of thing and perhaps get into things where it will be inevitable for us to put our hands in things and get a little messy.  
> 
> Is this out of the ordinary for blind kids, and am I doing the right thing by wanting to work with him and play doing things with him?  Is this a good list for good crafts and such?
> 
> I'd love feedback and ideas.
> 
> Dick Carlson
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