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

Fri Mar 7 17:08:47 UTC 2014

Wow. I can't even imagine how mortified I would have been at age 12/13
if somebody told me I would have to shower with somebody helping me. I
probably would have refused to attend...Or refused to shower! And I
have to ask, Do they expect Ben's same-age buddy to help with his
showering needs too?
(If we can't have a little fun with this atrocious situation what else
can we do?)

Seriously, I have GPS on my iPhone and I've used it a bit. I don't
think I would recommend it for camp navigation, unless the camp is
laid out over multiple blocks and involves street crossing. GPS just
isn't that detailed with its info, especially in rural-ish areas. You
could get him a Braille or talking compass to help with basic
directions, but honestly, most of the traveling he will be doing will
probably be in a group  setting and he can simply follow the other
kids. I'm not sure O&M orientation or a tactile map is really
necessary for a one-week trip where he will mostly be in a group.

Arielle

On 3/7/14, Crystal Schumacher <crystal_schu at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 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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