Convention Highlights: NOPBC Kid Panel

Abby spoke on the Kid Panel at the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children's annual meeting at the NFB national convention.

She worked hard writing what she said and rewriting it. She wrote it all in braille so she could read it. She practiced it over and over again and put a lot of thought in what she said. I am really proud of the work she did.  FYI  when she says what she wants to be when she grows up she says (since its hard to hear) A Race Car Driver, a Engineer, and a Princess.

Three kids who were on the panel

Part 1 - Julia who is in 6th grade. She is small for her age and that is what she is talking about in the beginning.  It was a well written speech for a child so her age. The beginning is cut for privacy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULg-HH6tBi4


Part 2 which includes Abby and Hank  . Hank is blind child whose parents had to go to court to get him braille. This still happends this day and age and it happens more often than people think. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2x58OBcEnM 

Back from the NFB Convention

Abby and I just got back from the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind. It was in Dallas Texas for 7 days and it was a great week.. We are still recovering.  

I have more stuff to write about that will fit in one post.  So look for a series of post about convention. 

Some of the highlights to look out for is 

NOPBC Style Show

The NOPBC Kid Panel that included Abby

Highlights from the NOPBC conference for parents. 

NFB General Sessions 

Fun with Friends

The Braille Book Fair and Braille Literacy

New Resources

Abby on the exhibit floor

 

Blog Title change.

You may notice that I changed the blog title. I wanted something more upbeat and no matter how much sugar you put in lemonade its still sour.  

Abby said recently that her story isn't a sad story .. its a HAPPY one.

So there a simple title but I think it reflects where we are right now. It may be changed down the road to something witty but this fits today.

Happy stories have challenges but that is what keeps them from becoming boring stories.

Summer Time

Well Summer has officially started. School is out and now the craziness begins.

Sam is having a pretty low key summer.  One of my goals for him this summer is to spend more time outside.  He is also going to a science day camp.  He has done this camp for 4 years.

Its fun to read. 

Abby is pretty busy.  Abby and I are going to the National Federation of the Blind's annual national convention which this year is in Dallas Tx. We had a great time last year and we are excited about this years convention.

Than Abby is coming home for a few weeks of reading and braille tutoring and and even some fun with some other braille students in our school district.  Abby's teacher for the blind and visually impaired is WONDERFUL.

Summer Reading. 

THAN Abby got accepted to the NFB Project Innovation science program.  (http://www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Project_Innovation.asp?SnID=1593113378)  She will be going to Baltimore a the end of July. (I get to tag along to)  She has been working on this program for few weeks now and if anyone is interested you can check out her blog that includes some video entries too. http://princessabbydpi.wordpress.com/

When we return  home to hopefully  calm down and enjoy the last few weeks in August.  Than school starts again.. Wow makes me tired just thinking about it.

A Role Model: Its not just the dog.

Role models for every child are very important.  As a parent its one of our jobs to make sure our children has plenty of great role model in their life.  This task became a little challenging last year  as I came to terms over Abby being blind.  I wanted Abby to see possiblity not limits.  (I wrote about role models last year too. http://visionfora.blogspot.com/2011/04/quest-for-role-models.html)  She has many members of her family to look up to.  She has a friend  who is just a few years older than her who is also blind and has inspired her with her braille. She also meant some pretty great adults who also are blind.  There is one I really like to call out today.  His name is Randy Pierce and he lives in NH just like we do.  We got connected with Randy last year when we had a 'competing' team for the New Hampshire Association for the Blind  walk last year.

Abby and Randy meeting for the first time. 

Randy has really over come a lot in his life.  The bio on his non-profit's website is best for telling his story  http://2020visionquest.org/randy-bio.html. The "cliff notes" version is he started to lose his sight in his 20s to an unknown neurological disorder. He is now completely blind.  Almost 10 years ago his unknown condition put him in a wheelchair.  His story could have ended there.  Today Randy is out of that wheelchair and has done so much more. He was the first blind person to hike all 48 4000 footers (those are mountains by the way) in the state of NH in one season (just this last winter). Did year read that one season. The winter.  Its amazing to me every time I hear it.  He is currently half way through an 100 mile walk to celebrate the New Hampshire Association for the Blind 100th anniversary.  Last night Abby and I were given the opportunity to wish him well before he started his 100 mile trek (he will be officially finished on Saturday when the 3k Walk for Sight starts).

It was  important to Abby yesterday to get a chance to talk to Randy and wish him well before his walk.  She was very determined.   She always enjoys talking to Randy. Randy also has this amazing guide dog Quinn.  Quinn gets a lot of attention.  Calling him a scene stealer could be an understatement.  Abby last night wasn't about wishing Quinn well (though she does love Quinn)  it was more about wishing Randy well.  While Quinn was a huge ice breaker its so much more than about the dog now for her. I always appreciate the time Randy gives Abby, He has always given Abby time even when sometimes she can be a little annoying I am sure.   I don't know if Randy realizes the positive impression he gives her.   I know it a great motivator for Abby to see what Randy has been able to accomplish.

Many times society sees the blind as helpless Randy shows the world that's simply not true.

I encourage everyone to follow Randy's travels. He is a role model for the many kids he actively tries to talk to in schools. (Yes he talks to schools http://2020visionquest.org/for-educators.html )   He is a role model for my daughter and a great role model for anyone else for that matter. Oh and Quinn is still pretty cool too.

Links:
Randy's organization 2020 Vision Quest http://2020visionquest.org
2020 Vision Quest facebook page https://www.facebook.com/2020VQ

A great link about braille

Want a great new link that goes over some of the basics of braille.  Great for parents and teachers of young children and those wanting to learn more about braille.

Check it out

http://www.pdrib.com/pages/brailkids.php

Abby's Blindness Walk "commercial"

To make the video full screen click the X in the lower right. Don't forget to make sure your sound is on.

Abby is walking again this year.  I love this video.

If you want to support Abby click here :  Donation link 
-------------
video description
 Scene 1 Abby does intro
Scene 2 Abby reads braille on a iPad & Refreshabraille18 
 Black Screen and Text reads"Abby is walking in the NH Association for the Blind's Walk for Sight on June 2 2012."
Black Screen and Text reads"She has made a goal to raise $1000 this year. She is walking on  Team NFB NH Wozits and would love for you to join her or donate."
Scene 3 Abby reading braille in a book with text "Many blind children are denied literacy and are not taught to read"
Black Screen and Text reads" Due to the NHAB's generousity NFB NH which includes the NH Parents of Blind Children will get half of we money raise back."
Scene 4 Abby using gym rings on the playground
Black Screen and Text reads "Abby is NOT extraordinary because she reads, plays and gets around." 
Scene 5 Abby climb a climb wall on the playground and waving on the top
Black Screen and Text Reads "The only difference between Abby and her sighted friends is that she needs to learn to do things non-visually"
Picture of Abby going down a esculator with instutor with sleep shades on text reads" Abby learning to use the esculator at the NFB National Convention 2011"
Scene 6 Abby walking towards camera with cane
Scene 7 Abby being silly with her brother Sam
Black Screen and Text reads "Help Abby reach her 
goal. Find infomation on how to join the team or 
to donate from at www. teamabby.net or from this video's notes.:"
Scene 8 Abby typing on a Perkins Brailler outside
Scene 9 Abby back on the playground using the gym rings tshirt reads " Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" MLK JR