As most of you know, I was not born blind. Since I didn't go blind until basically adulthood, I have zero experience with blind children. I figured I should probably take care of that since I plan to get a teaching credential to be able to teach visually impaired students.
Where is the best place to do this you ask? Well my friends, let me tell you. I decided to start volunteering at a blind school. Great idea right?
So far, it has been a wonderful experience. I am loving it! I am learning so much and having so much fun in the process. All the staff are fantastic too.
It has been so interesting seeing how this works. I love watching the kids learn on an equal playing field. They don't have to fight to understand. The material is accessible and put in their hands in a way that best fits their needs. Accomodations are a part of every day life and totally normal. Technology is at their finger tips. The staff go above and beyond to give their students the best learning opportunities possible. It is beautiful.
I really love it here. Sometimes I wish I could volunteer more often. It is a great place to be.
I'm still not sure if I want to teach in a general ed school or a blind school, but I'm loving the process of sorting it all out.
PLAYING THE BLIND CARD... Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those cards you hold well. And always remember when life's got you down, keep your head up... you can't see the ground anyway.
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Monday, May 27, 2019
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Moments That Leave You Speachless
1. When a child innocently asks you "did you just see that?" You want to be polite so you just smile and say yes. Without hesitation they utter their confused responce, "But you can't see."
2. When you tell the store clerk you need help with your debit card because your blind. Instead of acting normal, they panic and start yelling "OF ... COURSE... I... CAN... HELP... YOU!!!" They speak loud, slow and with far two much lip action because of course you are blind, so you must be deaf too.
3. When you five year olds draws a picture of you and makes sure to draw you with glasses so that you will be able to see.
4. That moment when your sitting in an appointment, realize you have to pee something fierce, excuse yourself, then jump up and rush out of the room forgetting you're blind. By the way, this is usally followed by a trip and stumble over a chair or other object. Not to mention the all too mortifying slam into the wall.
5. When driving with your Gram, someone jumps out of their car to charge at beloved Gram on a road raging rampage. Again for getting your blind, you in turn jump out of the car to rush at him and handle the situation. (This actually happened to me and will be explained in a future "Did That Really Just Happen?" post)
These are of course just a few speachless rendering little moments. I have tons and will continue to share them with you. I would love to hear yours. Please leave them in the comment section or shoot me a private email. I will collect responces and add them into future lists.
2. When you tell the store clerk you need help with your debit card because your blind. Instead of acting normal, they panic and start yelling "OF ... COURSE... I... CAN... HELP... YOU!!!" They speak loud, slow and with far two much lip action because of course you are blind, so you must be deaf too.
3. When you five year olds draws a picture of you and makes sure to draw you with glasses so that you will be able to see.
4. That moment when your sitting in an appointment, realize you have to pee something fierce, excuse yourself, then jump up and rush out of the room forgetting you're blind. By the way, this is usally followed by a trip and stumble over a chair or other object. Not to mention the all too mortifying slam into the wall.
5. When driving with your Gram, someone jumps out of their car to charge at beloved Gram on a road raging rampage. Again for getting your blind, you in turn jump out of the car to rush at him and handle the situation. (This actually happened to me and will be explained in a future "Did That Really Just Happen?" post)
These are of course just a few speachless rendering little moments. I have tons and will continue to share them with you. I would love to hear yours. Please leave them in the comment section or shoot me a private email. I will collect responces and add them into future lists.
Monday, October 22, 2012
The good, The Bad, And The Ugly
No matter how positive a person is, it’s impossible to be optimistic all the time. Lately, I admit, I have been having the less than positive attitude. Don’t get me wrong, things are great.
Book stuff is wonderful and friends and family life is alive and kicking. The second situation is the reason for my slight state of dismay.
Having two beautiful daughters is the best part of my life. I would not change a single moment of it, even when I want to pull my hair out. Sometimes, one of them will do something adorable or new. I am elated for the newest milestone, but regret still floods my heart.
It’s a deep ache that stabs me all the way deep in my gut. My eyes start to sting and a lump forms in my throat. Sometimes, just being able to hear the even isn’t good enough.
Though I’m still happy it’s happened, I long to observe it for myself. Other people’s descriptions are great and much appreciated. It’s just not the same.
When Peanut started school, I was so happy for her. She was beyond excited and I don’t think her head left the clouds the entire morning. A genuine smile was plastered across my face. Inside, just inside, I was enveloped in a strenuous pity party.
It didn’t seem fair that I couldn’t see my baby at her first circle time, or doing the hand motions with her classmates to new songs. When she made her first new friend of the long school year, I couldn’t see the dimples on her cheeks as she smiled. When she played on the playground and rode in a wagon, I couldn’t see it for myself.
Am I usually down in the dumps about my situation? Nope, not at all. However, I feel it’s necessary to share everything with you, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The whole point of this blog is to shed a new light on the subject of blindness. I wanted to show people that there is a brighter side to the disability. Nevertheless, it is equally important to show the reality of the bad moments. Though they may be few and far between for me, they might not be for someone else.
To be able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, you have to first see all angles of how they fit. So, that’s what this post is about. My shoes fit great, but sometimes there’s a lump in my sock that makes me uncomfortable for a minute.
Book stuff is wonderful and friends and family life is alive and kicking. The second situation is the reason for my slight state of dismay.
Having two beautiful daughters is the best part of my life. I would not change a single moment of it, even when I want to pull my hair out. Sometimes, one of them will do something adorable or new. I am elated for the newest milestone, but regret still floods my heart.
It’s a deep ache that stabs me all the way deep in my gut. My eyes start to sting and a lump forms in my throat. Sometimes, just being able to hear the even isn’t good enough.
Though I’m still happy it’s happened, I long to observe it for myself. Other people’s descriptions are great and much appreciated. It’s just not the same.
When Peanut started school, I was so happy for her. She was beyond excited and I don’t think her head left the clouds the entire morning. A genuine smile was plastered across my face. Inside, just inside, I was enveloped in a strenuous pity party.
It didn’t seem fair that I couldn’t see my baby at her first circle time, or doing the hand motions with her classmates to new songs. When she made her first new friend of the long school year, I couldn’t see the dimples on her cheeks as she smiled. When she played on the playground and rode in a wagon, I couldn’t see it for myself.
Am I usually down in the dumps about my situation? Nope, not at all. However, I feel it’s necessary to share everything with you, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The whole point of this blog is to shed a new light on the subject of blindness. I wanted to show people that there is a brighter side to the disability. Nevertheless, it is equally important to show the reality of the bad moments. Though they may be few and far between for me, they might not be for someone else.
To be able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, you have to first see all angles of how they fit. So, that’s what this post is about. My shoes fit great, but sometimes there’s a lump in my sock that makes me uncomfortable for a minute.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Funny Things Kids Say
Absolutely nothing beats the innocence of a child. When they are little they have little exposure to things that are considered “different”. The wonderful thing about a kid is they have no filter. They usually say exactly what they are thinking right when they think it. The children in my life are no exception to that rule.
My nephew once told me when he was little that he was going to buy me new eyes at wal Mart. He was going to make sure they were green because that’s what color my eyes are. He would make sure they weren’t broken this time and he was sorry they are broken now.
My niece once told me that she wished I could see her because she sure was pretty.
My daughter used to tell me on a regular basis that she loved playing hide and go seek with me especially when I was it.
The same nephew as above told me that he knew how to fix me. He went on to tell me that all I needed to do was blink. That always makes his eyes feel better.
Another one of my nieces tells me that I got ripped off on a regular basis and that I need to right a letter of complaint to someone.
My friend’s son said, “That would really suck to be blind. I don’t know how you eat.”
My other nephew used to make his own version of a Verizon slogan. “Can you see me now? … How about now?.... And now?...”
Another little boy told me that maybe if I cover one eye that would help me to see better.
A friend’s daughter was very upset. She said, “If she can’t see me how will she know who I am?”
My oldest nephew once told me that if he could he would give me his eyes… Or at least one of them he needed to at least see half of what was going on. But at least then we would be equal.
My nephew once told me when he was little that he was going to buy me new eyes at wal Mart. He was going to make sure they were green because that’s what color my eyes are. He would make sure they weren’t broken this time and he was sorry they are broken now.
My niece once told me that she wished I could see her because she sure was pretty.
My daughter used to tell me on a regular basis that she loved playing hide and go seek with me especially when I was it.
The same nephew as above told me that he knew how to fix me. He went on to tell me that all I needed to do was blink. That always makes his eyes feel better.
Another one of my nieces tells me that I got ripped off on a regular basis and that I need to right a letter of complaint to someone.
My friend’s son said, “That would really suck to be blind. I don’t know how you eat.”
My other nephew used to make his own version of a Verizon slogan. “Can you see me now? … How about now?.... And now?...”
Another little boy told me that maybe if I cover one eye that would help me to see better.
A friend’s daughter was very upset. She said, “If she can’t see me how will she know who I am?”
My oldest nephew once told me that if he could he would give me his eyes… Or at least one of them he needed to at least see half of what was going on. But at least then we would be equal.
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