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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear List,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Regarding the 11 year who doesn’t
know how to eat with a fork, I think it was obvious to everyone that there is
other things going on in this situation. I didn’t mention
this student’s other issues because every child I serve is so unique and
complicated I often find that I need to separate the issues in order to get a
picture of what is really going on. If I don’t mention any
addition disabilities, you all are great in giving me an idea of what I should
expect from a typical blind child. In this situation, I was more
curious how I should handle it. I KNOW that my student should be
eating with a fork, I KNOW that it’s not really my job to teach her how
to do so, but I also KNOW that sometimes I get roped into to doing
things. Here’s how I handled it.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>-I’ve put more responsibilities on
the classroom teacher and aides. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> She
is in a self-contained classroom and I’ve put a lot of emphasis on
independence. How she should know where her materials are and be
able to retrieve and replace them on request as well as find her way around the
classroom and to the restroom and that, most importantly, she was doing this
last year with no problem. She moved to the Middle School this year
and she is being coddled.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>-I emailed her mother a selection of
Future Reflections articles talking about independence, manners and eating
skills and told her to let me know what else I could do for her. I’ve
received no response but I will follow up again.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>-I’m planning on going in at lunch
one day next week and demonstrate for the classroom teachers how they should
insist that she uses utensils while eating at school. I think that
just having the expectation that she use them will be a nice first step.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Can you think of anything else I should
do?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=4 color=blue face=Braille><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Braille;color:blue'>,Emily ,Gibbs</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Emily L Gibbs
M.Ed. NCLB</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>Teacher of
Blind Students</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>586.489.6017</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=2 color=blue face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:blue'>979.730.7155
x11594</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
pibe-division-bounces@nfbnet.org [mailto:pibe-division-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b></span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Carrie Gilmer</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, January 06, 2009
10:25 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '</span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Professionals in
Blindness Education Division List</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Pibe-division]
Eating with a Fork-Emily G.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Emily,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I have come back to this
thread in “cleaning out” my inbox and read it more carefully. I am
interested to know what has come of it as this is not the first time I have
seen blind children (no other disability also) this age being age inappropriate
in eating and all it entails (salt and pepper, opening cartons or juice box
straws). </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My thought would be (if
it was me) in this case to make a home visit even just to find out if this was
the tip of an ice berg (which I fear it is). I guess also the question would be
why the OT has no other concerns (if the parent doesn’t)—did you
think she should? Was the OT trying to pass off something to you or was it
genuine and maybe even surprising to you that this student (given performance
in other areas) was not eating with a fork. Anyway I’d like to know the
rest of the story…</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I am concerned about
finding better or stronger ways to reach that group of parents who seem to
think they must do everything for their blind child and have really low
expectations. Some feel so overwhelmed they can’t imagine what to do or
how to do it and are ashamed to ask. They have more fears and false ideas about
blindness than the determination to have their child do normal things. They are
more afraid of their child doing than not doing. I notice it in educated
economically well-off families and in uneducated and low income and everything
in-between. They think like the rest of the world that it is amazing or
inspirational when their child can do the simplest of things that they
wouldn’t think twice about their sighted child doing. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> I also sometimes
find really “good” parents think some daily living things must be
taught by a professional too. In my experience, no one ever told me what
clearly was the TBS “job”, they seemed to want to control
everything at school and never gave me any information about the how or why or
what of academics or what to look for or think about when integrating in a
regular classroom. They also made no inquiry about home even academically or to
ensure he had books, they never once offered any suggestions for social or
lunch or playground at home or school, for all they knew I was still cutting
his meat or handing him shampoo when he was 11 (I wasn’t)- waiting for
the checklist for transition or the three year eval is too long and too late!
My son’s teachers all knew of Future Reflections but never gave me a copy
or told me about it, or talked with me about ”blindness” itself or
what to expect or what kind of commitment it took or what a blind adult needed
for home or work everyday. He had had five different teachers of blind students
by ninth grade—not one of them gave us anything. Obviously the doctors
aren’t telling parents (and don’t know) and if they don’t
find us (NFB)—who is there to tell them but the teacher? </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I know you are not like
the teacher’s my son had Emily (and the same for most if not all on this
list I am sure), but I think it important to not assume that a parent knows
anything or most things and could be doing much more for the student than is
realized. There are ways to “check” and to give the parent info
without “threatening” or appearing to tell them they are bad
parents (which they might very well feel once they find out how “off”
they have been). It is also one thing to realize you have made big mistakes in
teaching or your job and to correct, I think it is a much harder thing to face
you have made mistakes in parenting. I know that just like there are a few teachers
who will never believe and shouldn’t be teaching there are a few parents
who will never believe and maybe shouldn’t be parenting; but for the most
part these over-protective or low-expecting parents I have found want their
fears calmed—they want a reason to believe; they just need some evidence
and some “how to’s” and empowering to believe it is not
rocket science and they can do it.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Anyway I’d like to
hear what has come of the situation if you don’t mind sharing more. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color=navy
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'> Best
Regards,</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 color=navy
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Carrie Gilmer, President</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>National Organization of
Parents of Blind Children</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>A Division of the
National Federation of the Blind</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>NFB National Center:
410-659-9314</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Home Phone: 763-784-8590</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a
href="mailto:carrie.gilmer@gmail.com">carrie.gilmer@gmail.com</a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><a
href="http://www.nfb.org/nopbc">www.nfb.org/nopbc</a></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:center'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
pibe-division-bounces@nfbnet.org [mailto:pibe-division-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Gibbs, Emily<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, December 15, 2008
2:36 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> aernet@lists.aerbvi.org; Professionals
in Blindness Education Division List<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Pibe-division] Eating
with a Fork</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>I was just contacted by the OT in my
school district and she is apparently dismissing one of my blind students from
service. She had just discussed this with the parent and the
parent’s only concern was the fact that this 11year old can not eat with
a fork. The OT wanted to know if I would be willing to do a home
visit in order to help them teach this student to eat with a fork at home. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>What would you do in this
situation? </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=4 color=blue
face=Braille><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Braille;color:blue'>,Emily
,Gibbs</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=blue
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Emily L Gibbs M.Ed. NCLB</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=blue
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Teacher of Blind Students</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=blue
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>586.489.6017</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=blue
face="Comic Sans MS"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>979.730.7155 x11594</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
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