[Nfbwv-talk] {Spam?} BRAILLE CHALLENGE TODAY IN ROMNEY

[Ed McDonald]

As many of you know, Karen and I attended the West Virginia Regional Braille Challenge today on behalf of the NFB of West Virginia. It was held at the School for the Blind in Romney and coordinated by our member and friend, Dr. Sheila Amato.

As you may also know, our Members at Large Chapter and Braille Literacy Division contributed funds for the purchase of T-shirts for all participants. My best information is that 24 kids took part in the event which involved a number of competitive activities in Braille reading, comprehension, and writing--all designed to promote Braille literacy. Most of them were WVSB students, but at least four came from elsewhere in the state. Our colleague and teacher at the school, Anita Adkins, played an active role in proctoring several of the Challenge activities.

In the absence of the governor himself or a representative from his office, I was invited to read a proclamation from the governor, recognizing the day as "Braille Challenge Day" in the Mountain State, and so yours truly, "Mr. Whereas" had an opportunity to live up to his reputation! Of course, he read the proclamation in Braille.

Travel instructors Matt Stewart and Mona Childs made sure that several WVSB students stopped by our table over the course of the day to visit with us, and we were able to share some thoughts with them about blindness, Braille, NFB resources, and a variety of other things. It was also interesting to hear some of their stories and learn about things that interest them. Principal Jamie Vittorio and other folks at the school made a special effort to find a number of ways for us to participate and become more directly involved in the event. 

Perhaps some would say the highlight of the day, however, came after the Braille Challenge itself when Karen talked with and played piano for students in one of Mr. Haza's music classes. He had been teaching them about the music of the Beatles and producer George Martin, and so Karen played for them some of her own arrangements of Beatle material. They enjoyed it very much, and so did she.

Our participation in this event was not a flashy presentation or a tightly orchestrated performance, but it was a genuinely positive opportunity to interact and share something of ourselves with some blind kids in our state. It was a day well spent, and perhaps the kind of thing that all of us should try to do more often.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Ed

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