[blindkid] blindkid Digest, Vol 119, Issue 5
DrV
icdx1111 at gmail.com
Sun Mar 9 01:07:17 UTC 2014
Every situation is different.
My 13 y/o is heading off to Science Camp in the Mountains with 600+
classmates in a few weeks. We've done a fair amount of traveling, but it's
his first time away on his own. He has had practice packing & living out of
suitcases, so he should be ok on that front. He is in 6th grade - 1st year
at middle school - & has an aide in school who is pretty good about not
helping too much & pulling back. He will have an aide if needs assistance,
but since she is a she, my son will be on his own in the cabin. The school
lets the kids pair up with a few select friends, but also encourages some
mixing up of the kids so they interact & hopefully make new friends. He is
excited about it. We are going to try & visit the facility beforehand for
at least an initial orientation. My older son previously participated in
the Aerial rope course at the same facility a few years back & was cheered
on by his classmates as he was verbally guided along the way, so we are
fortunate that the program open & did hold him back. It was a great
experience for the older one & we hope it will be similarly impactful for
the younger one. He is very excited! (Oh - & no cell phones or electronic
games allowed :-)
Time flies... Our 17 y/o is participating in a church retreat this weekend.
He participated in the 2 year confirmation program his freshman & sophomore
year & then decided to stay on a Peer-Leader this year. It's been a great
experience for him; he has learned & grown so much from it. Along with the
other youth peer-leaders he has spent months helping design this weekend's
retreat program. Now he is not only on his own for 3 days, but he is
helping run the program & in charge of a group younger participants. He was
anxious last year as a participant, but has been really looking forward to
it this year.
Eric V
------------------------------------------
On Sat, Mar 8, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Susan Polansky <polanskyse at gmail.com> wrote:
> Our teenage son has attended a private camp for 3 summers. He gets
> familiar with the cabin when he checks in then he gets from point A to
> point B by walking with the other kids either in a group or sometimes with
> another camper acting as sighted guide. The other kids are always willing
> to help, sometimes more than he needs or wants but then he politely informs
> them what he does or does not need and they go on from there.
>
> Susan Polansky
>
> Susan Polansky
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:00 AM, <blindkid-request at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> > Send blindkid mailing list submissions to
> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> >
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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> >
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> >
> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> > than "Re: Contents of blindkid digest..."
> >
> >
> > Today's Topics:
> >
> > 1. Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Crystal Schumacher)
> > 2. Re: Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Deborah Kent Stein)
> > 3. Re: Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Arielle Silverman)
> > 4. Re: Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Crystal Schumacher)
> > 5. Re: Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp (Bo Page)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 20:42:28 -0800
> > From: Crystal Schumacher <crystal_schu at hotmail.com>
> > To: blindkid ask <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > Message-ID: <SNT153-W73B39566B1368C884F475BFF8B0 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > My son Ben is 13 years old and is in 7th grade. He is blind with light
> > perception. He attends middle school with seven hundred other students.
> He
> > has an aide in 3 of his classes, Science, Math, & English. His GPA is
> 3.8.
> > He is in his second year of band and plays the trumpet by ear. He has
> just
> > recently started learning the Braille music code. He wants to attend a
> band
> > camp, which is a private camp that we would pay for. If you are a special
> > needs student, you must first get permission from the camp to register.
> >
> > I called and talked to the camp and in the 40 years of existence they
> have
> > never had a blind student attend. The camp does not offer or is unwilling
> > to provide any additional support. I think the only support Ben would
> need
> > is in navigating the camp, as it is very large. I have told them that Ben
> > would do orientation and mobility training before the camp starts, as
> well
> > as create a tactile map, use a Braille copy of the schedule, and a
> talking
> > watch to get to places on time. They are unwilling to allow Ben to attend
> > without an Aide. I was trying to avoid an Aide because it gets in the
> place
> > of making friends and Ben wants to be as independent as possible. They
> said
> > if he had a friend going, who would be his buddy, we may be able to avoid
> > the Aide. He really doesn't have that kind of a friend, more
> acquaintances.
> > One point of him going was to try and make a friend or connection.
> >
> > I am wondering if anyone out there has been in this situation. What did
> > you do? Did you go as your child's Aide? Did you hire someone? Did you
> pay
> > for another student to attend with your child? Did you give up? I have
> > already sent a dozen emails and on top of it his school found out about
> his
> > desire to go to band camp. They made it a topic during his IEP meeting
> and
> > wanted input from his teachers as to weather he should be allowed to
> > attend. But mind you, it is a private camp that I would be paying 100% of
> > the tuition, and has nothing to do with public school. Frustrated in
> Oregon!
> >
> > Crystal
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 21:56:43 -0800
> > From: "Deborah Kent Stein" <dkent5817 at att.net>
> > To: "Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > Message-ID: <E420BE44DE9B43CA9C8BD0D3FFAB9356 at debkentHP>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> > reply-type=original
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Crystal,
> >
> > This story is very disturbing to me! Back in the late Sixties my
> brother,
> > who is also blind, applied to several music camps (including the famous
> > Interlocken in Michigan) and was told that they categorically did not
> > accept
> > blind students. I would like to think we've gotten beyond that level of
> > discrimination in the past 45 years, but clearly we have a ways to go.
> Our
> > parents kept looking until they found a music camp that was very
> receptive;
> > my brother had a great time and returned for several more summers. You
> > could try to fight this band camp and negotiate to get Ben accepted, but
> it
> > may be a better bet to look for other options instead. Somewhere there
> is
> > a camp where he will actually be welcome from the outset, where he can
> make
> > friends and learn music and have fun without the stress of feeling that
> > people are constantly afraid he is going to cause them extra trouble.
> >
> > Debbie
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Crystal Schumacher
> > Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 8:42 PM
> > To: blindkid ask
> > Subject: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> >
> > My son Ben is 13 years old and is in 7th grade. He is blind with light
> > perception. He attends middle school with seven hundred other students.
> He
> > has an aide in 3 of his classes, Science, Math, & English. His GPA is
> 3.8.
> > He is in his second year of band and plays the trumpet by ear. He has
> just
> > recently started learning the Braille music code. He wants to attend a
> band
> > camp, which is a private camp that we would pay for. If you are a special
> > needs student, you must first get permission from the camp to register.
> >
> > I called and talked to the camp and in the 40 years of existence they
> have
> > never had a blind student attend. The camp does not offer or is unwilling
> > to
> > provide any additional support. I think the only support Ben would need
> is
> > in navigating the camp, as it is very large. I have told them that Ben
> > would
> > do orientation and mobility training before the camp starts, as well as
> > create a tactile map, use a Braille copy of the schedule, and a talking
> > watch to get to places on time. They are unwilling to allow Ben to attend
> > without an Aide. I was trying to avoid an Aide because it gets in the
> place
> > of making friends and Ben wants to be as independent as possible. They
> said
> > if he had a friend going, who would be his buddy, we may be able to avoid
> > the Aide. He really doesn't have that kind of a friend, more
> acquaintances.
> > One point of him going was to try and make a friend or connection.
> >
> > I am wondering if anyone out there has been in this situation. What did
> you
> > do? Did you go as your child's Aide? Did you hire someone? Did you pay
> for
> > another student to attend with your child? Did you give up? I have
> already
> > sent a dozen emails and on top of it his school found out about his
> desire
> > to go to band camp. They made it a topic during his IEP meeting and
> wanted
> > input from his teachers as to weather he should be allowed to attend. But
> > mind you, it is a private camp that I would be paying 100% of the
> tuition,
> > and has nothing to do with public school. Frustrated in Oregon!
> >
> > Crystal
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > blindkid mailing list
> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > blindkid:
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net
> >
> >
> > ---
> > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
> > protection is active.
> > http://www.avast.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 23:04:06 -0700
> > From: Arielle Silverman <arielle71 at gmail.com>
> > To: "Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)"
> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > Message-ID:
> > <
> > CALAYQJB3aCogw9rHh4p6WNekNpnmouY4MBRV1JpD2zGdEHCvNQ at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >
> > I agree. I don't know if ADA covers private camps like this, but if
> > their attitude is so negative already, I'm not sure I would trust them
> > to treat Ben well even if you successfully get him accepted. Unless
> > there's something else special about this camp, I'd say keep looking.
> > When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to attend Jewish camp with my sister
> > because my mother was the one who thought I would need an aide and she
> > told me an aide would be too expensive. Good for you to trust that
> > your son can participate on his own.
> >
> > Arielle
> >
> > On 3/6/14, Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Dear Crystal,
> > >
> > > This story is very disturbing to me! Back in the late Sixties my
> > brother,
> > > who is also blind, applied to several music camps (including the famous
> > > Interlocken in Michigan) and was told that they categorically did not
> > accept
> > >
> > > blind students. I would like to think we've gotten beyond that level
> of
> > > discrimination in the past 45 years, but clearly we have a ways to go.
> > Our
> > >
> > > parents kept looking until they found a music camp that was very
> > receptive;
> > >
> > > my brother had a great time and returned for several more summers. You
> > > could try to fight this band camp and negotiate to get Ben accepted,
> but
> > it
> > >
> > > may be a better bet to look for other options instead. Somewhere
> there
> > is
> > >
> > > a camp where he will actually be welcome from the outset, where he can
> > make
> > >
> > > friends and learn music and have fun without the stress of feeling that
> > > people are constantly afraid he is going to cause them extra trouble.
> > >
> > > Debbie
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Crystal Schumacher
> > > Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 8:42 PM
> > > To: blindkid ask
> > > Subject: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > >
> > > My son Ben is 13 years old and is in 7th grade. He is blind with light
> > > perception. He attends middle school with seven hundred other students.
> > He
> > > has an aide in 3 of his classes, Science, Math, & English. His GPA is
> > 3.8.
> > > He is in his second year of band and plays the trumpet by ear. He has
> > just
> > > recently started learning the Braille music code. He wants to attend a
> > band
> > >
> > > camp, which is a private camp that we would pay for. If you are a
> special
> > > needs student, you must first get permission from the camp to register.
> > >
> > > I called and talked to the camp and in the 40 years of existence they
> > have
> > > never had a blind student attend. The camp does not offer or is
> > unwilling to
> > >
> > > provide any additional support. I think the only support Ben would need
> > is
> > > in navigating the camp, as it is very large. I have told them that Ben
> > would
> > >
> > > do orientation and mobility training before the camp starts, as well as
> > > create a tactile map, use a Braille copy of the schedule, and a talking
> > > watch to get to places on time. They are unwilling to allow Ben to
> attend
> > > without an Aide. I was trying to avoid an Aide because it gets in the
> > place
> > >
> > > of making friends and Ben wants to be as independent as possible. They
> > said
> > >
> > > if he had a friend going, who would be his buddy, we may be able to
> avoid
> > > the Aide. He really doesn't have that kind of a friend, more
> > acquaintances.
> > >
> > > One point of him going was to try and make a friend or connection.
> > >
> > > I am wondering if anyone out there has been in this situation. What did
> > you
> > >
> > > do? Did you go as your child's Aide? Did you hire someone? Did you pay
> > for
> > > another student to attend with your child? Did you give up? I have
> > already
> > > sent a dozen emails and on top of it his school found out about his
> > desire
> > > to go to band camp. They made it a topic during his IEP meeting and
> > wanted
> > > input from his teachers as to weather he should be allowed to attend.
> But
> > > mind you, it is a private camp that I would be paying 100% of the
> > tuition,
> > > and has nothing to do with public school. Frustrated in Oregon!
> > >
> > > Crystal
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > blindkid mailing list
> > > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > > blindkid:
> > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net
> > >
> > >
> > > ---
> > > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
> > > protection is active.
> > > http://www.avast.com
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > blindkid mailing list
> > > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > > blindkid:
> > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 4
> > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 23:34:13 -0800
> > From: Crystal Schumacher <crystal_schu at hotmail.com>
> > To: blindkid ask <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > Message-ID: <SNT153-W4675D23F46A4712507D090FF8B0 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > Yes, I am feeling like this camp is more work than it is worth. It is not
> > Ben that needs an aide, but the sighted camp, because they are afraid and
> > uncomfortable with blindness. However, I feel that I need to send Ben, so
> > they can see what a blind kid can do. If I don't send him, it will be
> > another 40 years and nothing will change. If he does attend, they may
> learn
> > something and decide that blind kids aren't so scary. I want to change
> what
> > it means to be blind in Oregon and does Ben!
> >
> >
> > > Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 23:04:06 -0700
> > > From: arielle71 at gmail.com
> > > To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > >
> > > I agree. I don't know if ADA covers private camps like this, but if
> > > their attitude is so negative already, I'm not sure I would trust them
> > > to treat Ben well even if you successfully get him accepted. Unless
> > > there's something else special about this camp, I'd say keep looking.
> > > When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to attend Jewish camp with my sister
> > > because my mother was the one who thought I would need an aide and she
> > > told me an aide would be too expensive. Good for you to trust that
> > > your son can participate on his own.
> > >
> > > Arielle
> > >
> > > On 3/6/14, Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Dear Crystal,
> > > >
> > > > This story is very disturbing to me! Back in the late Sixties my
> > brother,
> > > > who is also blind, applied to several music camps (including the
> famous
> > > > Interlocken in Michigan) and was told that they categorically did not
> > accept
> > > >
> > > > blind students. I would like to think we've gotten beyond that level
> > of
> > > > discrimination in the past 45 years, but clearly we have a ways to
> go.
> > Our
> > > >
> > > > parents kept looking until they found a music camp that was very
> > receptive;
> > > >
> > > > my brother had a great time and returned for several more summers.
> You
> > > > could try to fight this band camp and negotiate to get Ben accepted,
> > but it
> > > >
> > > > may be a better bet to look for other options instead. Somewhere
> > there is
> > > >
> > > > a camp where he will actually be welcome from the outset, where he
> can
> > make
> > > >
> > > > friends and learn music and have fun without the stress of feeling
> that
> > > > people are constantly afraid he is going to cause them extra trouble.
> > > >
> > > > Debbie
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Crystal Schumacher
> > > > Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 8:42 PM
> > > > To: blindkid ask
> > > > Subject: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > > >
> > > > My son Ben is 13 years old and is in 7th grade. He is blind with
> light
> > > > perception. He attends middle school with seven hundred other
> > students. He
> > > > has an aide in 3 of his classes, Science, Math, & English. His GPA is
> > 3.8.
> > > > He is in his second year of band and plays the trumpet by ear. He has
> > just
> > > > recently started learning the Braille music code. He wants to attend
> a
> > band
> > > >
> > > > camp, which is a private camp that we would pay for. If you are a
> > special
> > > > needs student, you must first get permission from the camp to
> register.
> > > >
> > > > I called and talked to the camp and in the 40 years of existence they
> > have
> > > > never had a blind student attend. The camp does not offer or is
> > unwilling to
> > > >
> > > > provide any additional support. I think the only support Ben would
> > need is
> > > > in navigating the camp, as it is very large. I have told them that
> Ben
> > would
> > > >
> > > > do orientation and mobility training before the camp starts, as well
> as
> > > > create a tactile map, use a Braille copy of the schedule, and a
> talking
> > > > watch to get to places on time. They are unwilling to allow Ben to
> > attend
> > > > without an Aide. I was trying to avoid an Aide because it gets in the
> > place
> > > >
> > > > of making friends and Ben wants to be as independent as possible.
> They
> > said
> > > >
> > > > if he had a friend going, who would be his buddy, we may be able to
> > avoid
> > > > the Aide. He really doesn't have that kind of a friend, more
> > acquaintances.
> > > >
> > > > One point of him going was to try and make a friend or connection.
> > > >
> > > > I am wondering if anyone out there has been in this situation. What
> > did you
> > > >
> > > > do? Did you go as your child's Aide? Did you hire someone? Did you
> pay
> > for
> > > > another student to attend with your child? Did you give up? I have
> > already
> > > > sent a dozen emails and on top of it his school found out about his
> > desire
> > > > to go to band camp. They made it a topic during his IEP meeting and
> > wanted
> > > > input from his teachers as to weather he should be allowed to attend.
> > But
> > > > mind you, it is a private camp that I would be paying 100% of the
> > tuition,
> > > > and has nothing to do with public school. Frustrated in Oregon!
> > > >
> > > > Crystal
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > blindkid mailing list
> > > > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > > > blindkid:
> > > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---
> > > > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
> > > > protection is active.
> > > > http://www.avast.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > blindkid mailing list
> > > > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > > > blindkid:
> > > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
> > > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > blindkid mailing list
> > > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > blindkid:
> > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/crystal_schu%40hotmail.com
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 5
> > Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2014 03:20:43 -0800 (PST)
> > From: Bo Page <bo.page at sbcglobal.net>
> > To: "Blind Kid Mailing List, \(for parents of blind children\)"
> > <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > Message-ID:
> > <1394191243.32671.YahooMailNeo at web181103.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
> >
> > You are in a situation with your son that many blind children find
> > themselves in. I don't think there is an easy answer.? Discrimination
> among
> > the blind is alive an well, even in programs that NFB runs.? No one wants
> > to spend the time or money for kids like ours who need extra help.? Money
> > and budgets rule! Keep looking however, and I am sure you will find
> > something, but unfortunately, it may be not be close to home.
> >
> > Mother of blind 21 year old
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >________________________________
> > > From: Crystal Schumacher <crystal_schu at hotmail.com>
> > >To: blindkid ask <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> > >Sent: Friday, March 7, 2014 2:34 AM
> > >Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > >
> > >
> > >Yes, I am feeling like this camp is more work than it is worth. It is
> not
> > Ben that needs an aide, but the sighted camp, because they are afraid and
> > uncomfortable with blindness. However, I feel that I need to send Ben, so
> > they can see what a blind kid can do. If I don't send him, it will be
> > another 40 years and nothing will change. If he does attend, they may
> learn
> > something and decide that blind kids aren't so scary. I want to change
> what
> > it means to be blind in Oregon and does Ben!
> > >
> > >
> > >> Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 23:04:06 -0700
> > >> From: arielle71 at gmail.com
> > >> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > >> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > >>
> > >> I agree. I don't know if ADA covers private camps like this, but if
> > >> their attitude is so negative already, I'm not sure I would trust them
> > >> to treat Ben well even if you successfully get him accepted. Unless
> > >> there's something else special about this camp, I'd say keep looking.
> > >> When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to attend Jewish camp with my sister
> > >> because my mother was the one who thought I would need an aide and she
> > >> told me an aide would be too expensive. Good for you to trust that
> > >> your son can participate on his own.
> > >>
> > >> Arielle
> > >>
> > >> On 3/6/14, Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > Dear Crystal,
> > >> >
> > >> > This story is very disturbing to me!? Back in the late Sixties my
> > brother,
> > >> > who is also blind, applied to several music camps (including the
> > famous
> > >> > Interlocken in Michigan) and was told that they categorically did
> not
> > accept
> > >> >
> > >> > blind students.? I would like to think we've gotten beyond that
> level
> > of
> > >> > discrimination in the past 45 years, but clearly we have a ways to
> > go.? Our
> > >> >
> > >> > parents kept looking until they found a music camp that was very
> > receptive;
> > >> >
> > >> > my brother had a great time and returned for several more summers.?
> > You
> > >> > could try to fight this band camp and negotiate to get Ben accepted,
> > but it
> > >> >
> > >> > may be a better bet to look for other options instead.? Somewhere
> > there is
> > >> >
> > >> > a camp where he will actually be welcome from the outset, where he
> > can make
> > >> >
> > >> > friends and learn music and have fun without the stress of feeling
> > that
> > >> > people are constantly afraid he is going to cause them extra
> trouble.
> > >> >
> > >> > Debbie
> > >> >
> > >> > -----Original Message-----
> > >> > From: Crystal Schumacher
> > >> > Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 8:42 PM
> > >> > To: blindkid ask
> > >> > Subject: [blindkid] Blind Student & The Sighted Band Camp
> > >> >
> > >> > My son Ben is 13 years old and is in 7th grade. He is blind with
> light
> > >> > perception. He attends middle school with seven hundred other
> > students. He
> > >> > has an aide in 3 of his classes, Science, Math, & English. His GPA
> is
> > 3.8.
> > >> > He is in his second year of band and plays the trumpet by ear. He
> has
> > just
> > >> > recently started learning the Braille music code. He wants to attend
> > a band
> > >> >
> > >> > camp, which is a private camp that we would pay for. If you are a
> > special
> > >> > needs student, you must first get permission from the camp to
> > register.
> > >> >
> > >> > I called and talked to the camp and in the 40 years of existence
> they
> > have
> > >> > never had a blind student attend. The camp does not offer or is
> > unwilling to
> > >> >
> > >> > provide any additional support. I think the only support Ben would
> > need is
> > >> > in navigating the camp, as it is very large. I have told them that
> > Ben would
> > >> >
> > >> > do orientation and mobility training before the camp starts, as well
> > as
> > >> > create a tactile map, use a Braille copy of the schedule, and a
> > talking
> > >> > watch to get to places on time. They are unwilling to allow Ben to
> > attend
> > >> > without an Aide. I was trying to avoid an Aide because it gets in
> the
> > place
> > >> >
> > >> > of making friends and Ben wants to be as independent as possible.
> > They said
> > >> >
> > >> > if he had a friend going, who would be his buddy, we may be able to
> > avoid
> > >> > the Aide. He really doesn't have that kind of a friend, more
> > acquaintances.
> > >> >
> > >> > One point of him going was to try and make a friend or connection.
> > >> >
> > >> > I am wondering if anyone out there has been in this situation. What
> > did you
> > >> >
> > >> > do? Did you go as your child's Aide? Did you hire someone? Did you
> > pay for
> > >> > another student to attend with your child? Did you give up? I have
> > already
> > >> > sent a dozen emails and on top of it his school found out about his
> > desire
> > >> > to go to band camp. They made it a topic during his IEP meeting and
> > wanted
> > >> > input from his teachers as to weather he should be allowed to
> attend.
> > But
> > >> > mind you, it is a private camp that I would be paying 100% of the
> > tuition,
> > >> > and has nothing to do with public school. Frustrated in Oregon!
> > >> >
> > >> > Crystal
> > >> >
> > >> > _______________________________________________
> > >> > blindkid mailing list
> > >> > blindkid at nfbnet.org
> > >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> > >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> for
> > >> > blindkid:
> > >> >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > ---
> > >> > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
> > >> > protection is active.
> > >> > http://www.avast.com
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > _______________________________________________
> > >> > blindkid mailing list
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> > >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
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> > >> > blindkid:
> > >> >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
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> >
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> > >
> > >??? ??? ??? ? ??? ??? ?
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> > >
> > >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Subject: Digest Footer
> >
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> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > End of blindkid Digest, Vol 119, Issue 5
> > ****************************************
> >
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