[blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Crystal Schumacher)

[Crystal Schumacher]

Thank you so much for the insight. I did not know about the Facebook page or other list-serves and I will definitely get on board with those. He does not currently have a smart phone, but that was brought up by his mobility teacher as a tool for the camp and we are going to move in that direction. The camp emailed me again last night and stated that he would need to have an adult male aide. Male, so the aid could help with his showering needs...please...it just shows the lack of experience and education with the blind. I am not sure what I am going to do as of yet, still pondering the pros and cons.
 
> From: billlist1 at verizon.net
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 11:10:32 -0500
> CC: afletcher at lighthouse-sf.org; info at blindmusicstudent.org; richardtaesch at menvi.org
> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Crystal	Schumacher)
> 
> Dear Crystal,
> 
> As others have said, there are times when you need to pick your battles.  If
> you decide to wage this one, I have a few ideas for you to consider.
> 
> If your son, Ben, gets support from the music educator(s) at his school, one
> of them could write a letter of recommendation for him.  If such cases, it
> can be a good idea to write a draft of the letter yourself and ask that busy
> educator to review it, revise as he or she sees fit, and sign it.  That way,
> you get to make the important points you have shared about Ben's strong
> academic record, good mobility skills, and organizational habits.
> 
> If you can get some cooperation from the camp organizers or somehow get in
> touch with parents of other campers, you could work on forming a network for
> Ben now.  Ideally, he could get to know one of the other campers well before
> camp begins.
> 
> I urge you to connect with online communities dedicated to including blind
> and low vision students in music-making to network with others who may have
> had similar experiences.  We at Dancing Dots offer our GoodFeelR online
> listserv forum.  Subscribe at:
> www.dancingdots.com/main/listgoodfeel.htm
> 
> Connect with my friend, David Goldstein, of the National Resource Center for
> Blind Musicians copied here:
> www.BlindMusicStudent.org
> 
> Join the Music Education Network for the Visually Impaired ( www.menvi.org )
> founded by my friend, Richard Taesch, and of which I am a charter member and
> advisor.
> 
> You wrote:
> > If you are a special needs student, you must first get permission from the
> camp to register.
> 
> My gut reaction to that statement is something like:
> "Oh yeah?  Who says?"  Next question:
> > If you are not a special needs student, must you first get permission from
> the camp to register?
> 
> After applying a cool, moist towel to my forehead, I will say that of course
> the camp needs to be aware of Ben's situation and make appropriate
> preparations for him to participate fully and to prepare their staff to
> support him.  But "permission" in this context sounds to me more like
> "discrimination."
> 
> Again, you might consider sending Ben to a friendlier music camp instead of
> or in addition to this one.  Check out:
> 
> Enchanted Hills Camp
> Music Academy: August 3 - August 9, 2014
> 
> $300.00 Session Fee
>  Meet for one week at Enchanted Hills camp near Napa, California, with
> students who are blind or low vision interested in learning all about music
> and related assistive technology. We will create a supportive and engaging
> atmosphere where individuals who may be starting off at different points on
> the continuum of music literacy, proficiency with assistive technology, and
> performance experience have opportunities to advance in all of those areas.
> 
> I have copied the camp Director, Mr. Tony Fletcher, who would be happy to
> answer any questions you may have.  The site is:
> http://lighthouse-sf.org/programs/enchanted-hills/
> 
> I myself attended a three-day music festival in my senior year of high
> school  I marched in our band for lots of football games, parades, and
> competitions.  I know that I am far from unique.  I wish you the best in
> making your decision.  Feel free to contact me directly if I may be of any
> assistance.
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Bill McCann
> Founder & President
> Dancing Dots
> www.DancingDots.com
> Tel: 610-783-6692 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
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