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

[Jack Yahnke]

Way to go, Ed and Karen.  I am humbled by your passion and participation.

Jack


-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWV-talk [mailto:nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ed
McDonald via NFBWV-talk
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 10:30 PM
To: 'nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org' <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ed McDonald <ed at eioproductions.com>
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] {Spam?} BRAILLE CHALLENGE TODAY IN ROMNEY

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