American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Convention 2020 NOPBC BOARD MEETING
by Salome Cummins, Ian Oliver, and Clara Scelsi
Introduction by Carlton Anne Cook Walker: A terrifically fun part of our program each year is our kids' panel. This year we have three young people who will talk to you. First we'll hear from Salome Cummins. She is a rising fourth-grade student from Missouri. She is nine years old. We're also going to hear from Ian Oliver, a rising seventh-grader from Alabama, who is twelve years old. Finally we'll hear from Clara Scelsi, also from Alabama. She's a rising fifth-grade student, and she's nine years old. Salome, you go first. It looks like you're ready to go!
Salome: I'm still kind of tense. I've got this feeling like I'm really in trouble!
Hi. You're listening to Salome's speech. I'm nine years old, like she already said. I was born in the Republic of Georgia in 2011.
The first thing I want to tell you about is that I did not like tying my shoes at all. It was my least favorite thing to do! I would try to tie my shoes, and then I would start crying because something was not working. But recently I learned how to tie my shoes! I run track, and I do long jump, and I sprint. And now, even when I'm in a huge rush to get to track, I can tie my shoes. But sometimes my mom still helps me, because she thinks I should do it more quickly. Pressure. Always pressure!
It's fun to be blind sometimes, because you get to use so many cool materials. I'm in Spectra at my school. It's the gifted and talented program. It was really hard because I had to start virtually. Because I use JAWS I could get through that course very easily. I get to use VoiceOver and a Braille display also.
Now I want to talk about responsibility. It's really sad, but both blind people and sighted people all get chores. But we also get to have pets to take care of. I have birds. I'm very fond of them.
One of my favorite things is BELL. That's Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning. I also got to attend the Braille Challenge, where you compete. You're in different levels of difficulty. In April you find out if you made it to the national competition. That means you're in the top of the whole country and Canada, too! I made first place in second grade, and I'm doing it again this year.
In conclusion, I do not think you should be wishing that you aren't blind. Thank you for listening.
Carlton: I want to highlight that she said virtual instruction didn't stop for her, because she had all the right tools. She had JAWS, and she had a refreshable Braille display.
Ian Oliver: Hi! I am deafblind, so I can't really use stuff that is audio. This virtual stuff, I think it could be better. There are major improvements needed, but hey, this is just the beginning. Nothing is perfect. But there's one thing I've got to say. Braille rocks!
Carlton: Thank you, Ian! This year you were at our BELL Academy, and we had to do everything online because we had no other choice. When we do something new, are we good at it immediately?
Ian: No. You've got to keep trying and trying and trying again.
Carlton: That's right, and learn to do things better. We love to teach, and we love to learn. Now we'll hear from Clara. Welcome! Take it away!
Clara: Hi! My name is Clara Isabella Scelsi. I'm nine years old, and I live in Alabama. I'm going into fifth grade, but I'll be taking sixth-grade math. Some of my favorite things are reading Braille, playing music, singing songs, dancing, and jujitsu. I have been in jujitsu for almost a year. I'm hoping to get my gray and white belts soon.
Jujitsu is a martial art that helps people know how to defend themselves when in a tough situation. Some of my teachers have had experience with blind children, so they knew some adaptations to help me. They clapped so I would know where to go. They explain things, like instead of saying, "Put your knee here," they say, "Put your left knee behind your head."
When COVID came, luckily we had a way to practice with an iPad. The jujitsu coaches allowed us to borrow some mats. We did lessons through Zoom. We also used VoiceOver. We could all do it the same as when we were physically right next to each other.
Thank you for allowing me on this kids' panel. Are there any questions?
Carlton: How are all three of you so darn awesome? I love how you all explained that doing things differently isn't doing things worse. We heard from three great young problem solvers today. The future is looking very good, my friends. Thank you Salome, thank you Ian, thank you Clara. Great job!