Perkins SMART Brailler: My Turn (updated)

The SMART Brailler has been visiting us for a week now. Abby & Sam both have gotten a chance to use it.  Now its my turn.

Abby's 'home' Perkins Brailler is a Classic Perkins Brailler that has been through many users.(it could be many years old)   We do not own its as it is on a long term loan from  NHAIM which is part of the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Abby's Classic Perkins Brailler

Its a well loved.  Abby has had this brailler since she was in first grade.  Abby really LOVES this brailler. The SMART brailler uses the next generation style of Perkins Braillers. They released this newer style a few years ago.

Perkins SMART Brailler

There is plus and minuses over both styles. The biggest complaint you will hear about a classic style braillers is that it is very heavy. (I bet one could be used as an anchor) The biggest complaint with the next generation style braillers  is that some of the plastic parts don't seem  as durable. The classic style braillers can take quite a beating.  At school Abby uses both a classic style Perkins brailler and manual next generation one.

So this was my first experiences using a next generation machine.  One of the features that next generation braillers have is a eraser function.  This caused a lot of excitement in the house. Abby didn't realize the next generation brailler at school had this same function.   

picture of the were the 'eraser' is on the SMART brailler.

This isn't the first time you can "erase" braille.  You could also use the scratch method or the much much more elegant and simple wooden braille eraser. The eraser on the next generation is still really really cool. Its easy to use and doesn't risk damaging the paper with the other methods.  It does a really great job pressing down the dots and when you use it on the SMART brailler is deletes it from the screen.

So I was playing around in the menus and noticed under apps it had the Building on Patterns–Kindergarten App.  The app is only available on the American Printing House version of the SMART Brailler.   I had a few questions about the app and I forward them to Perkins Products.

The Building on Patterns Kindergarten software will be included on units bought from APH.  This APH version is not available for sale yet, but we expect it to be soon.  SMART Braillers bought through Perkins do not have this software application included, but you will be able to purchase the software separately through Perkins Products and add it to your unit within the next few months. It will likely be around $199 to purchase the Building on Patterns Kindergarten software separately through Perkins Products. We are working on developing and offering additional software applications for children and adults, but they are not available just yet.

Welcome screen of the Building on Patterns K app.

 It has really interesting.  I just went into the first section and there was letter, word and sentence exercises. I will admit I had fun.  The app had both an audio and visual information.

 I caught on pretty quick that I could use contractions.
My son Sam took a video of me using the app.  The video also showed my goofiness.

Its important to say I have never had any formal training in braille. What I have known I have just picked up from helping Abby learn.  As a very beginning braille reader/writer I found the Building on Patterns–Kindergarten App pretty cool.  I also wonder if APH will consider putting the Building Patterns exercises in other formats too and provide higher levels.

Abby thinks the app is pretty cool too she just wishes it higher levels.  While it was right at my level she is a much higher level of a user. (I am so proud of her)

Whats next with our SMART brailler adventure?  Abby is taking it to school.

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About the Perkins Smart Brailler:  http://www.perkins.org/smartbrailler/

About the Backpacking SMART Brailler Event on Wonderbaby.org: http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/backpacking-smart-brailler-event 

Perkins Smart Brailler: Sibling Time

I have a strong belief that braille can be fun for the whole family not just the blind child.  Many family members feel over whelmed with the idea of braille. Braille isn't scary. I really think braille would be an fun and educational if taught more to the mainstream education population.  Kids love secret codes.

Sam using Perkins Smart Brailler

My son Sam just got his hands on the Perkins Smart Brailler. Sam is almost 11 years old and is currently in the 5th grade. He is sighted and has only had a basic introduction of braille. (He understands the basic concepts)   I printed off the braille alphabet for him and a guide for what keys were which dots and he was independently typing out sentences right away in uncontracted braille. He knew RIGHT away when he made a mistake and he also knew right away when he did it correctly. He got great enjoyment writing about his new set of Legos. Again the visual display and audio feedback were very effective and useful.  

Sam using the Perkins Smart Brailler with a thinking pose.

Sam says "Well the Perkins Smart Brailler is cool and stuff." He wasn't that open to a video but I did snap some pictures. He seemed to have great fun with it.

Perkins Smart Brialler display with the word sam.

Next: The delete key....

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About the Perkins Smart Brailler:  http://www.perkins.org/smartbrailler/

About the Backpacking SMART Brailler Event on Wonderbaby.org: http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/backpacking-smart-brailler-event 

Its Smart.... The Perkins Smart Brailler

Guess what showed up at our house today? A Perkins Smart Brailler.(http://www.perkins.org/smartbrailler/)  It is visiting us for two weeks before we send it on to the next family.  This is part of the the Backpacking Smart Brailler Event that Wonderbaby is having. The brailler is visiting 6 families.  We are family number two and I heard they  still  may be looking for families to take part. (there is some guidelines and rules)  find out more information here : http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/backpacking-smart-brailler-event

Abby using the Smart Brailler

The Smart Brailler spent time first with Kovacs family at the blog Thomas Marshall Does it All.

First impressions:  Abby knew what to do right out of the box.  It was very familiar to her being a  Perkins Brailler user for over 2 years.  Abby has a really old Perkins Brailler at home and two other models at school. She hasn't done the audio tour yet and has figured out most the basic operation already.  

Abby says "Its Cool! 

I will right much more later. I haven't even gotten my hands on it. It looks pretty neat. The display & audio  seems helpful to Abby and helpful to me too.  My son Sam is really interesting is giving it a try too.  

Here is a short video of Abby using the Smart Brailler.   I am sorry that you can hear my breathing in parts due to a wonderful spring cold. 

Check back in a few days for more blogs about our adventure with the Smart Brailler...  

Thank you to Wonderbaby for giving us this great opportunity. 

Fun and Motion

Abby has always been an active child. She was an early walker. She has always loved the out side and  just loves to keep moving.  This didn't stop when Abby become blind.   Abby actually learned to ride a bike without training wheels the summer she was losing her sight. (we had no idea at the time).  That's just how Abby's rolls.  This past few months have busy and  very active for Abby. Her dad has a lot to do with that. She is a lucky girl. I realized an important truth when it comes to Abby and activities. Only SHE know what she can or can't do. Sometimes she just needs to try. Here are some of the highlights of some her her favorite things the last 6 months.

This past summer she started kayaking. She loves it. She is a great partner for her dad.  I am sure in the not so distant future she will be ready for a kayak of her own.

Abby also played soccer this year with our local recreation department.  She did have times when she got nervous on the field when she couldn't see her team mates and lost track of the game. She did  love being part of a team.  She was great soccer player before she was blind and it was wonderful to see that while she couldn't see the ball she could still do pretty awesome   

Abby on the soccer field

Abby also ran her first 5k this fall with her dad in October.  It was a great first running experience and I am sure she will do it again. I hope to get a chance to do my 5k this year and I hope Abby joins me.

Abby right after her first 5k

 Abby has loved ice skating since she was 4. Ice Skating isn't an activity she has much issues doing at all unless she is in a big group. Last year there was no good outside ice skating weather at all.  This year she was able to go out a few times.

Abby ice skating

 A few weeks ago she went skiing for the very first time and LOVED it. She just has that personality where she loves to try new things.  The instructors at the ski area said she was a very fast learner. She is going skiing her her dad today. She has the bug. 

Abby skiing. 

 Abby has started to do after school activities.  She did Jump Rope Club this year. She has done it before and she enjoyed it. Its just a few weeks long but its lots of fun. She also joined her school dance crew.She worked so hard and they just had their first dance performance last week and she did great. She did a great job.  There was in a large group on the stage and she did wonderful. She did  great with all the moves.  I was able to find a clip that didn't include the other kids. Its posted it below. 

Hooray for Braille: Braille Challenge 2013

Abby  participated on Saturday March 2nd in the 2013 New England Regional Braille Challenge that took place at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton Ma.

Abby giggling at the Braille Challenge

The Braille Challenge is a national competition of school age children (grades 1-12) that tests the areas of  reading, writing and spelling of braille. There is regional competitions all over the country and in July the final event that includes all the finalist in the country. (ie the best of the best)  It is run by the Braille Institute.
To find out more information http://www.brailleinstitute.org/Services/The_Braille_Challenge

Abby in one of the test rooms 

This was Abby's first year competing,  Abby and I have been practicing for a few weeks.  There is sample questions available and her TVI embossed them in paper for us.  We also went over the rules so she could be as prepared as possible. Abby competed  at the apprentice level this year. This year our goal was for her to get her feet wet so she could be even more prepared for next year. I couldn't go with her because I just had surgery.This was really hard for me but she got a special day for her and daddy.

Two more pictures of Abby in the room

When she was finished she was hard on her self and how she did but was still excited she was able to take part.   She said spelling was the easiest.   During the awards Abby was so excited to hear she got SECOND place in her division.  She was very proud.  It was so wonderful to be at any event that celebrates braille like this. I am so proud of Abby.  She has worked so hard these past few years.  Its really starting to pay off. Bravo Abby.  Happy Tears.

Abby getting second place in her division

Rare Disease Day 2013

Today February 28 2013 is Rare Disease Day.

What is Rare Disease Day?
"Rare Disease Day is an international advocacy day to bring widespread recognition of rare diseases as a global health challenge. The day is celebrated on the last day of February every year.  In 2013, it will be observed on February 28th. - See more at: http://rarediseaseday.us/about/#sthash.DxJBWpeA.dpuf"

What is a rare disease?
"In the U.S., any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people is considered rare. This definition comes from the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 and is slightly different from the definition used in Europe. There are nearly 7,000 rare diseases affecting nearly 30 million Americans. In other words, almost one in ten Americans are suffering from rare diseases. - See more at: http://rarediseaseday.us/about/#sthash.DYAKLC45.dpuf"

http://rarediseaseday.us/about/

People with rare disease feel isolated and alone.  Even medical professional may not be aware of the disease. There is less research in rare disease because less people are affected by them.    

Abby is affected by a rare disease.  She is affected by Leber hereditary optic neuropathy  (LHON).   LHON is a mitochondrial disease. Its a disease passed on  by a mother to all her children.   Our families mitochondria is mutated.  We have the 11778 LHON mutation. Everyone that is in my mitochondrial line share this mutation. My mother, sisters, nephews, son, daughter, .......  Not everyone who  has the mutation will become blind or affected. It just sits there like  a switch that may or  may not be turned on. My son Sam statistiically has a 50% chance of becoming affected in his life time. 

Abby looking through a bunch of pumpkins that are the same. 

LHON generally affects men in their teens and early 20s but it can affect anyone with the mutation at age and sex.  It generally affects ones central vision different people affected by LHON experience all different levels of vision. 

So today think about those 1000s of rare diseases out there and the people affected in many different ways. You may be surprised how many people you know affected by a rare disease. 

To find out more about about Rare Disease Day

http://www.rarediseaseday.org  and  http://rarediseaseday.us/

To find out more about rare diseases. 

http://www.rarediseases.org/

To find out more about LHON

http://lhon.org/

https://sites.google.com/site/planetleeder/lhon

Are you a family affected by LHON  Check out the group on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/29805437752/

I am blessed....

Some days its hard to see  but I am truly one of the luckiest people in this whole world.  I have two smart, sweet, amazing kids.  I am so very proud of them both and I am so glad I get to be their Mommy. 

Abby & Sam alt text: two cute adorable kids laying on the floor