[Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around
Annette Carr
amcarr1 at verizon.net
Sun Aug 29 11:57:43 UTC 2010
Being comfortable with his body in space/the world is so important. Just as
with sighted kids this will mean some bumps, bruises and scrapes, and maybe
a broken bone or two. My brother's first broken bone was when he was
playing basketball and the ball jammed his finger. The ball does not
discriminate between blind and sighted players. My one and only broken bone
was when I slipped on the ice running away from the boys who were throwing
snowballs at the girls. This was at the school for the blind where all of
the kids had some level of visual impairments. The boys had shut the locked
door to the tunnel connecting the girls dorm to the main building. It was a
cold snowy day and we were not prepared to be outside, but needed to report
back to the dorm after breakfast by a certain time so we had no other choice
then to go outside. As soon as we hit the sidewalk, we were ambushed with
snowballs. So like typical prissy girls, we ran for the dorm, and just
before I got to the steps to the dorm I went down and jammed my thumb on the
step. The boys stopped firing and helped me inside where I informed them I
was going to pass out. Then one of the biggest guys
>From the wrestling team starting calling me a baby and said no one passes
out from bumping their hand on the stairs. When I came to, I could hear him
saying "Oh my goodness, she passed out". That injury only kept me out of
cheerleading and skiing for a few weeks, and I was all healed and ready to
go when the track season started. The one lesson I learned from this
experience is that instead of running, I should have turned around and
picked up snowballs and thru them back at the boys.
That was not my last snowball fight. Once in my home public school and in
college, I was the instigator of a number of snowball fights, and more which
we will not go into here. At first my sighted friends were afraid to throw
snowballs back at me, but over time they learned that I was just another
student, who just couldn't see where I was throwing. I received no injuries
from these events.
My point of babbling on is to let you know that as blind children and
adults, we need to experience everything that our sighted peers experience,
just that we have to find alternative ways of experiencing the sighted
things. Like mentioned earlier, teaching him how to shake and nod his head,
wave, put his hand out to initiate a shake, etc. I was once told a story
about a young blind woman who had read in a book about people placing their
chin on their hand. She asked someone about it and they explained to her
how it was done. Unfortunately, the friend left out the part of either
leaning on the table, or keeping your arm close to the body and supporting
it at the elbows with the other hand. This lack of info was only realized
when the young woman was observed holding her chin with her hand and having
her elbow pointing out in front of her. A good sense of humor is another
good skill to develop to help get through the awkward times.
I hope I have not bored all of you with my babbling.
Have a great day,
Annette
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sahar Husseini
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 11:01 PM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around
Indeed, it does. There are so many details, and so many things to learn.
Show him the little things sighted kids take for granted. For example, show
him how to nod yes or no. I learned that in my twenties. I didn't know how
to waive goodbye until I was well into my teenage years. Kids learn that
probably before they learn to walk. *smile*
Warm regards,
Sahar Husseini
For hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, Please visit my Website at
www.saharscreations.com And remember, "Obstacles don't have to stop you.
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.
Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."
Michael Jordan
----- Original Message -----
From: Henrietta Brewer
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around
Hi Dick,
Do you really think that sighted six year olds use the right amount
of glue? lol That wouldn't be a lot of fun.
One way to do glue as a blind person, wait, I did this with sighted
children. Actually, adults do this too. Place some glue that you
squeeze out of the bottle on a jar lid or even a piece of paper and
use your finger to apply. A small paint brush will also work to
apply. But to much glue is a part of learning.
You are right, walks are a good choice. Feeling free to stop and
touch the roses is good too. People are very willing to have blind
people touch their plants and decor. Can you imagine how great
someone would feel if a little boy who is blind came by and looked at
their fountain or sun flower? You would make their day.
Be sure that your Nephew takes his cane on walks. Good practice for
the times he will need it at school or on his own and a good way to
let the community know that this little guy needs them.
Can you imagine taking him to a hardware store? I love checking
things out at a hardware store. Even checking out the different
types of materials on buildings downtown. Does he know what the
outside of Walmart looks like? I just realized that I don't know. I
guess I will have to investagate that. lol
What about checking tread on tires? We had a totally blind friend who
could fix any car. He totally rebuilt his Dad's Studabaker. Yes, I
mean the engine too.
Has he ever sat on a curb or does he know what a man hole cover is
like? Oh, this world has so much to explore.
HenriettaAt 05:58 PM 8/28/2010, you wrote:
>Well, I think it's time for some play! This sounds cool!
>
>I would imagine that if we did a project like this, I'd probably
>need to handle the glue application, as if we used one of those
>bottles, he wouldn't know whether or not he got too much or too
>little and could easily squirt that stuff more than necessary.
>I don't know. Remember, I'm new at this stuff too and want to see
>how much I should do and how much he should do too. Hmmm, how would
>totally blind six-year-olds deal with making sure they apply only
>the necessary amount?
>
>I like that collage idea, too.
>
>Something elswe I'd like to begin doing is just going for walks and
>enjoying outdoors. He doesn't do much with his cane yet.
>DC
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Terrence van Ettinger"
><terrencevane at gmail.com>
>To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
<nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 2:24 PM
>Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around
>
>
>>Hey there, Dick,
>>Gluing can be done; most kiddos his age are starting to do projects
>>with glue, and I think I was. You might try something like that
>>tactile book idea; gluing the different shapes onto the pages
>>etc. Or just do a texture collage and see what you come up
>>with. You could use glue sticks to make for more precise glue
>>application, and/or just use one of those Elmer's bottles with the
>>pointy top. Also, on a non-gluing front, if he's already learning
>>Braille, maybe some Braille drawing to re-inforce his Brailling
>>skills as well as getting him drawing.
>>
>>Just some thoughts,
>>Terrence, the likely spacy for the next few days as I seem to be
>>catching the cold that's running around Anchorage these days.
>>
>>Terrence
>>
>>Twitter: www.twitter.com/terrencevane
>>Kingdoms Live Code: bgc5a6
>>
>>On Aug 28, 2010, at 11:16 AM, "Dick Carlson"
>><dick.carlson0428 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>>Hmmm, what do you mean by doing something that takes a little
>>>gluing and alike?
>>>
>>>Honestly, something like that might be a little tricky, wouldn't it?
>>>
>>>DC
>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Terrence van Ettinger"
>>><terrencevane at gmail.com>
>>>To: "List for blind crafters and artists"
<nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
>>>Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 7:40 AM
>>>Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Looking around
>>>
>>>
>>>>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
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>>>>>Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>info for Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/te
rrencevane%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>>>>Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>for Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/dic
k.carlson0428%40earthlink.net
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>>>Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>for Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/terr
encevane%40gmail.com
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>>Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>for Nfb-krafters-korner:
>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/dick.
carlson0428%40earthlink.net
>>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
>Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>for Nfb-krafters-korner:
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/gary.b
rewer%40comcast.net
Henrietta
~I wish you enough~
_______________________________________________
Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-krafters-korner:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/sahar%4
0inebraska.com
_______________________________________________
Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfb-krafters-korner:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/amcarr1
%40verizon.net
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5405 (20100828) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5405 (20100828) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature
database 5405 (20100828) __________
The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
http://www.eset.com
More information about the NFB-Krafters-Korner
mailing list