[Nfb-krafters-korner] miscellaneous

[Sandra Streeter]

Hi, all,

First, most importantly: Joining my prayers with others’ for Becky and family. “Contentment in all things” seems to be in order—things can change in a minute, and what you’re going through gives me pause to be thankful for the goodness in my life, and to look for goodness behind the so-called bad. I’m sorry that you are currently under a rain cloud.

Jody, I love, love, love your thoughts on Braille. One reason I’m an NFB member is because of its commitment to the use of Braille for all ages—there are so many low-vision kids being held back by the ignorance/misinformation of those who think they know better. Wish the Bell program had been around when we were kids!

I forgot, I also use Braille for my financial records—wouldn’t trade it!

As to how I learned it: I distinctly remember playing with a Perkins as a 6-year-old kindergartener, and my itinerant teacher said, “Do you know what that word is?” Come to find out, I had accidentally Brailled the word “ball”—perfect first-time word for a little kid; who doesn’t like balls! In first grade, I got Braille copies of whatever the kids got to learn from (ours were called “Jack and Janet” and “Tip and Mitten” and “Up and Away”, if that rings any bells for anyone). While I didn’t yet comprehend, that came the following summer; the first book I remember comprehending was a summer read, “Raggedy Ann,” which was probably the print equivalent of 20 pages or so. I was blessed to have my itinerant teacher’s time during a phase when, if you needed it, you could work 5 days a week, several hours a day—which we did. To really make Braille stick, you really need to be on the fast track, and that doesn't happen today, for the most part; so, I’m grateful for the Hadley self-study and the Bell programs to pass on the legacy.



Sandra

One can never consent to creep, when one feels an impulse to soar.
(Helen Keller)


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