[stylist] Youth Writing Contest winner, covergirl on community newsletter

[Donna Hill]

Hi Friends,

Our elementary short story first-place winner Lindsay Adair, daughter of
NOPBC President Laura Weber, made the cover of the Friendswood, Texas
community newsletter. I'm attaching a Jpeg for those with some sight. The
article, according to Laura, is essentially the press release which I sent
out. I made the time-line changes that I assume they changed and will copy
it below my name. Also, Laura tells me that the Houston Chronicle will make
Lindsay "student of the week" later this fall.

Enjoy,

Donna

Block quote

Blind  Friendswood Student Wins 1st Prize in National Writing Contest

 

 

Lindsay Adair, who turned nine on July 9, has won first prize in the
elementary short story category of the Youth Writing Contest of the
nonprofit National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Writers' Division. Lindsay,
a third grader at C.W. Cline Elementary School, is the daughter of special
education advocate and former NASA biomedical engineer Laura Weber
(Friendswood) and Jason Adair, an aerospace engineer in San Diego, Calif.
The announcement was made at the NFB's annual convention in Orlando,
Florida.

 

Lindsay, who studies piano, voice and drama, was born with Leber's
Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), and is totally blind except for a little light
perception. She enjoys swimming, trampoline, country music and telling
stories. When she grows up, she wants to be a baker, author and cat breeder.


 

Her story "The Poor Teacher" is a romance about a poor teacher and the man
who wants to help her. It features a classroom proposal and a student who
gets to be flower girl. 

 

The annual contest promotes Braille literacy and excellence in creative
writing. Despite strong evidence that Braille literacy significantly
improves a blind person's ability to obtain employment and advanced degrees,
only ten percent of America's blind children are taught to read it.

 

Contestants were required to hand emboss their entries using either the
slate and stylus or a Braille writer (no computer generated Braille was
accepted). Entries were judged on creativity and quality of Braille. The NFB
Writers' Division encourages all blind people to adopt a "can-do" attitude
and learn the skills that will enable them to live full, productive and
independent lives.

 

"We are all impressed and delighted with Lindsay's creativity and Braille
skills," said Robert Leslie Newman, president of the NFB Writers' Division.

 

Lindsay's mother, Laura Weber, worked for years as a NASA biomedical
engineer before going back to school for a master's degree in special
education. She is now working as a special education advocate. She is the
President of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC).

 

Lindsay, who tries to make her stories as creative as possible, says she
wants everyone to know that "blind people can live independent lives." 

 

Lindsay will receive a cash prize of $25 and the chance to be published in
"Slate and Style," the quarterly literary magazine of the NFB Writers'
Division:

www.nfb-writers-division.net/

 

###

About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members,
the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential
membership organization of blind people in the United States.   The NFB
improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research,
technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. 

It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the
nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of
the

Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the
United States for the blind led by the blind. 

Block quote end

 

 

 





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