Fighting for Resources

1st Day of School 2013-14

As you know, we are in a voting competition to win a SMART Brailler. It is a Braille typewriter with a computer interface that speaks what you type. This would be an amazing tool to help Tommy learn Braille. The ability to read and write (literacy) is essential to his ability to learn and be employed someday. If we can make early learning fun for kids it sets a precedence throughout their educational career.

Will we win the SMART Brailler? Probably not. We are in 4th place right now.

Vote - http://www.wonderbaby.org/backpacking-smart-brailler-vote

We have tried but these long drawn out voting periods are hard. I don't think they should be any longer than a week because people just get tired of it. I sure get tired of reminding my friends and family to VOTE!

Don't get me wrong. We are LUCKY to be included in this SMART Brailler event. Tom got to trial the SMART Brailler in our home for two weeks. That really gave us an idea of what it could do and how Tom would react to it. I know the SMART Brailler is a tool that would help Tommy learn Braille.

Th SMART Brailler would also help him make the transition to mainstream school (in two years) because his teachers there will not be Braille literate. Being in a school where he is the only blind child and finding appropriate resources worries me. Having a SMART Brailler of our own would be such a comfort because we could use it and take it anywhere. Sometimes a school will not let you take equipment home or use it during the summer. It would be a huge benefit to actually own the SMART Brailler.

Having a Braille machine that can tell you if you are indeed typing the correct letters or symbols bridges a gap between Braille and people who don't know Braille. Parents and family member can help with homework and a substitute teacher can jump right in to help a child.

Marty, as the SMART Brailler is affectionately called, is beyond cool and useful. The problem is that all kids who need to learn Braille need a SMART Brailler. Every kid in this contest to win a SMART Brailler deserves to win. And that is hard. It's hard to be in competition against families that I know (or internet know.) It doesn't feel right.

Fighting for resources is nothing new to the special needs community. It's nothing new to people who have an illness or condition that needs special equipment, therapy, educational tools or treatments. You often see people fighting their insurance carriers or schools for coverage or inclusion. It is exhausting.

Tom turns four next month and I've spent all four of those years fighting for him in various ways. Now I know that doesn't seem like a long time to those with adult children with special needs, but it's a long time for me and I know I have years of fighting ahead of me. I think this is going to be our last contest for a while. I started this blog to share Tom's story and that's what I want to concentrate on.

I'll be on the radio today!

Listen to us today on the Blind Matters Radio Show! 
1520am WBZW - THE BIZ - Orlando, Florida or listen live directly from www.blindmattersradioshow.com Home Page. Just click on livestream button and you will be linked directly to the program at 1520am.

Do you have something to say? Call in and say "hello" live every Saturday from 3pm to 6pm EDT. 800-788-9575