[blindkid] parents need to learn braille too

[EJ Buhrke]

I am often asked if I know Braille. My son is 9 and I have to say that I've just learned things along with him although as Joe admitted, I too have been surpassed by my son a few years ago.  I always answer people enthusiatically that I know enough Braille to be able to read notes he may pass back and forth with a girlfriend someday. :)  I am very lucky that Braille is the only way he will ever read as he is totally blind and so we have been lucky in getting TVIs along the way who know a little something about Braille. This year was a different story, but I digress.  As a single parent I strive to learn as much with my son as I can and to advocate strongly in all areas of his life. Some things I do well and others I need improvement.  There are even days I do well and others I don't.  I just have a faith that tells me God will pick up where I lack as long as I just do my best in that exact moment.  Again we are blessed to be able to live in an area that allows some very good schools and he is mainstreamed in them.  Some days are easier than others.  I just had to right a note today after I learned Isaiah had to wait on the bus when he arrived at school yesterday because there was no teacher to get him off. I was taken aback.  He gets off at home by himself, gets himself to the house and into the house by himself and gets his coat/shoes/backpack off and hung up without any assistance from me. I had to share with them how surprised I was at the lack of those same expectations of him at school. And I guess my surprise came out of what a good job everyone does on the team that is involved in educating my son and the fact I thought we had gotten beyond things like this.  It only goes to show that we always have to stay on top of things and informed about everything.  Sometimes that is a full-time job in itself.  This list is a great encouragement in having to get up everyday and fight the fight.  Thanks everyone!

 

EJ
 
> From: poetlori8 at msn.com
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:10:01 -0600
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] parents need to learn braille too
> 
> On the darker side, parents should learn to read Braille so if you have a 
> child whose personality suddenly changes or things just don't seem right you 
> can read their diary.
> Many a sighted child has been saved that way.
> Sorry to be so morbid. And you all are right. Too bad you have to correct 
> the work of the "professionals" but good for you for spending the time for 
> something so important to your children.
> Thumbs up to you. I'm one of those who wish my parents had learned it.
> 
> Barbara
> 
> If wisdom's ways you wisely seek, five things observe with care: of whom 
> you speak, to whom you speak, and how and when and where.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Joy Orton" <ortonsmom at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:04 PM
> To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blindkid] parents need to learn braille too
> 
> > Just a personal experience on why parents need to learn braille...
> >
> > Today I was looking over my daughter's school papers and found one with
> > grade of 75. I was surprised, because most of her work is at the 95 to 100
> > level. ( yes, we are proud of her.)
> > The teacher had counted off for spelling.
> > The first circled word was Minnesota. Ahbee wrote it correctly in braille,
> > but the transcriptionist incorrectly left out one N when interlining
> > it--writing it for the teacher to read.
> > Another place, Ahbee had correctly capitalized the word Lake, but the
> > interlining did not show the capital.
> >
> > Anyway, I was able to catch these because I can read braille for myself.
> > Ahbee deserved a 95--she did misspell "uper" instead of upper.
> > The teacher will give her credit for it--I'm so glad I could read it.
> >
> > Joy Orton
> > mom of Ahbee, Grade 2
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> > 
> 
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