So to start of the week of BRAILLE IS BODACIOUS I would like you to meet Daria...
Photo: Daria bowling.
Daria was one of my students in the S.T.E.P. program at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. She's bright, funny, SUPER SMART, energetic and such a hard worker. She is now a college student! She wrote this just for us S&Sish-ers! We should feel so honored! So day one kicks off with Daria..."Braille at my Finger Tips"
By: Daria Bannerman
To me, Braille has, and will always be, my baby! I remember how hard it was to learn at first, but when I began to make great progress with learning it, I enjoyed reading and writing Braille.
Braille is an important part of my life; every time I read it, I feel as if I am actively reading. There are no distractions involved when I’m reading. When I went to a school for the blind, I read Braille constantly. Now that I’m in college, I read Braille whenever I find the time.
Now that I’m in college, I have to listen to the majority of my books. Listening to books is ok, but I find that when I’m listening to huge chunks of text, I allow my mind to wander someplace else, or I will doze off. In a nutshell, so many distractions arise while I listen to my books.
Braille has opened up new horizons for me. For instance, reading Braille was what helped me to learn to spell. I have a notebook full of Braille recipes at home. Whenever I feel like cooking a meal, I can just follow the recipe by reading it with my hands.
I know that Braille is in a crisis, but I will do my best to make sure it rises to the status it needs to. There is no reason why a child with any kind of visual impairment cannot learn Braille. It should be an option for them. Print is to a sighted person as Braille is to a blind or visually impaired person.
By: Daria Bannerman
To me, Braille has, and will always be, my baby! I remember how hard it was to learn at first, but when I began to make great progress with learning it, I enjoyed reading and writing Braille.
Braille is an important part of my life; every time I read it, I feel as if I am actively reading. There are no distractions involved when I’m reading. When I went to a school for the blind, I read Braille constantly. Now that I’m in college, I read Braille whenever I find the time.
Now that I’m in college, I have to listen to the majority of my books. Listening to books is ok, but I find that when I’m listening to huge chunks of text, I allow my mind to wander someplace else, or I will doze off. In a nutshell, so many distractions arise while I listen to my books.
Braille has opened up new horizons for me. For instance, reading Braille was what helped me to learn to spell. I have a notebook full of Braille recipes at home. Whenever I feel like cooking a meal, I can just follow the recipe by reading it with my hands.
I know that Braille is in a crisis, but I will do my best to make sure it rises to the status it needs to. There is no reason why a child with any kind of visual impairment cannot learn Braille. It should be an option for them. Print is to a sighted person as Braille is to a blind or visually impaired person.
Photo: Daria in front of the White house in Washington D.C.
Picture: Daria with her cute curly hair.
Who is Daria?"I'm a quirky, intelligent black woman who thoroughly enjoys writing and singing. Ther two of my favorite hobbies. I plan to major in journalism and minor in Spanish. I hope to become either a journalist or a translator. I will not let anything stop me from fulfilling my dreams." (-Facebook)
Become a guest author by emailing me at deja.powell@gmail.com.
5 comments:
First of all, great to know another peep lover! I blogged about how I loved peeps and had a box of peeps in every color delivered! I am not near as fluent in braille as I'd like to be -- am an adult who wishes that I had of had the opportunity to learn it as a child (wasn't diagnosed until 18). I have my socks in different drawers - labeled in braille. Sometimes my husband will put them away and get confused on which drawer and ask me how do you spell 'black'. I laugh because he can see the colors but for some reason the braille labeling throws him off.
Daria, such an awesome article. I'm glad Deja shared it with all of us. I've always felt the same about braille. Keep up your hard work girl and I know you'll be able to do anything you set you heart and mind to. Thanks Deja for having a braille week. It is such an important part of so many peoples lives, but isn't recognized or taught nearly enough.
Daria, You go, girl!Best of luck with all of your goals. If you're not already involved with the NFB's Performing Arts Division, you might want to check us out at: http://www.padnfb.org
The picture of Daria bowling has prompted me to comment; Just thought I would take a minute to point out my amateur blind bowler's technique... Yes, I've used bumper lanes in my time, but FYI for any of you other would-be bowlers out there, it can be done without bumper lanes. Each time you bowl, just take a moment to squat down and take a moment to feel the groove in the floor that seperates the lane from the place where you stand to bowl. also feel where the side channels on either side of the lane. It only takes a couple of seconds and after some practice you'll be bowling like a pro... well... maybe some of us will be bowling like pros... I can't say that I'm a pro, but I can say that I can bowl.
Oh, and by the way, braille, like bowling, is awesome!
Awesome bio! My son (age 18) reads Braille. He prints (well, embosses) all of his favorite sports schedules and keeps them in a binder. I love that because he can be independent and not bug his mom for "who do the Brewers play today? Is it on TV?"
Post a Comment