[blindkid] kids away from home

[H. Field]

Dear Sally,
Not yet allowed to go to church retreats? Are you being too cautious?

YES!!!

That's the perfect place for him to learn that being too independent 
can get us left, for example, in the din-hall while everyone else goes 
to the first activity. Or, conversely, getting left in the gymn while 
everyone goes to the dining-hall.

Your son is ready to enjoy church retreats and this is the time when 
he can make friends without all the added nonsense that goes along 
with high school.

Now, you wouldn't expect me to say anything else would you Sally? :)
Please have him e-mail me and tell me what he thinks of his first 
church retreat or youth group lock-in.

Love to you and David.

Heather Field
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy & Sally Thomas" <andysally at comcast.net>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 7:14 PM
Subject: [blindkid] kids away from home


At what age did you let your kids attend overnight activities that 
were not run by blindness or disability centered groups without you? 
I'm sure it depends on the maturity of the child as well as the type 
of group.  I must say that I worry about my son either being babied or 
left behind somewhere.  I'm not sure if the "age appropriate behavior" 
idea applies or not since I would have to rely on others--not just my 
son's abilities.  He's pretty independent but sometimes I think he may 
be too independent to ask for appropriate help.  And it seems to me 
that most people are pretty clueless about blindness.  I know I could 
talk with them about it but I'm still a bit nervous.

He's attended several away from home activities at the school for the 
blind and the Louisiana Buddy Program but I'm not as comfortable 
sending him to church retreats.  Am I being too cautious?

Sally Thomas
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/missheather%40comcast.net