I've been thinking about what it will be like to raise a blind child--a girl in particular. The awesomeness of that journey freezes me up a bit when I think of it; so many things to figure out.
How do you teach a child with no verbal memory of sight what a bird is? How it flies? What colors are? The enormity of the ocean? Stars and space?
Sex education??!
That one stymies me. Pictures are pretty helpful for that topic. Without that option...how...exactly?
I just signed up for an Intro to Braille correspondence course offered for free by the Hadley School for family members of blind people. I figured I had better get started learning it now. Zoe will outstrip me regardless, but I don't want to be completely unprepared. My understanding is that sighted people actually learn Braille by visually reading it. Apparently it's a bit late for us to develop the needed tactile sensitivity to read it by touch.
We watched an amazing documentary on YouTube about a 14 year old blind boy who taught himself how to navigate through his world by using echo location. It's a truly inspiring piece done in five parts that you can watch by clicking on these links:
Part 1I particularly was inspired by the mother's attitude, which was obviously a huge support and benefit for him.
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
I'm taking it in, this learning about being a mother to a special needs little girl. Some of it comes naturally, but I'm seeing that most of it is plain old going to be constantly-in-my-face opportunities for "personal growth experiences."
Already started really. And how.
3 comments:
105 and counting! "Little fanfare" is good fanfare. Looking forward to seeing you and your sweet thing tomorrow.
Don't forget - a large percentage of sighted people learn about sex in the dark - and prefer it that way!
I know it's daunting, but of all the people I know, I can't think of a better person to partner up with Zoe on this journey....or couple o' people, since Zoe's dad is pretty amazing too.
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