Igniting a Spark: 1995-1996

Igniting a Spark: 1995-1996

Future Reflections Summer 1996, Vol. 15 No. 3
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IGNITING A SPARK
1995-96 Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest Report
by Barbara Cheadle, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children

[PICTURE] Elizabeth Causey
Every year for twelve years I try to think of a new and
fresh introduction to the annual report on the Braille Readers
are Leaders contest co-sponsored by the National Organization
of Parents of Blind Children and the National Association to
Promote the Use of Braille. But no matter how creative my
approach, it can never touch the simple eloquence of the
occasional note or letter I receive from teachers and parents
who write to tell us how much their child or student has
gained from the contest.
This year I hit the jackpot. Mrs. Miki Causey, mother of
Elizabeth Causey, a first place winner in the previous year's
contest (1994-1995), wrote a delightful letter about what the
contest did for Elizabeth. She also enclosed a beautiful
photograph of her daughter. Here is Mrs. Causey's letter
followed by the list of winners from the 1995-1996 Braille
Readers are Leaders contest:

February 7, 1996
Dear Mrs. Cheadle,
I enjoyed talking with you this morning about my
daughter, Elizabeth. I hope a further liaison with people like
you can help me guide her further as we continue this
"journey."
Last spring we were absolutely thrilled and so very proud
when Elizabeth won first place in the Braille Readers are
Leaders contest! She had begun preschool in 1990 at the
Georgia Academy for the Blind (GAB) as a retinopathy of
prematurity (ROP) child in diapers, severe eating problems,
and an uncertain academic future at best. Through much
determination and perseverance on the part of the teachers and
staff at GAB and on the homefront, four years later Elizabeth
won a reading contest!!
As a result of this contest, Elizabeth was interviewed on
closed circuit television at the Georgia Academy for the
Blind, her picture was in the local paper along with her
teacher, and she was on the local television news! In
addition, winning this national contest boosted Elizabeth's
reputation at school.
All this recognition, plus just winning the contest, has
increased Elizabeth's confidence. Prior to the fall of 1994
Elizabeth had not read anything outside of her classroom. She
was frustrated, uninspired, and quite frankly, did not like
reading at all. Two things changed in her life to make a
difference. First, Elizabeth met a sighted friend a few years
older than her. Nikki read stories to Elizabeth. Before this
encounter she apparently did not realize that children could
read, too. The revelation made her want to "be like Nikki!"
Second, the Braille Readers are Leaders contest put a
competitive spark in Elizabeth that no one had previously
seen. She constantly told us, "I want to win the contest." And
she did!
As a direct result of Elizabeth's endeavor, six children
at her school participated in the Braille Readers are Leaders
contest this year. We hope that next year will be even better.
What a wonderful way to encourage blind school children to
read more Braille! Elizabeth is now looking forward each year
to entering this reading contest. With the contest as her
motivation, I hope she will continue to increase her reading
skills. I believe it is a wonderful goal for her to strive
towards.
Thank you again for having this contest. I truly believe
Elizabeth Causey is a winner!!
Most sincerely,
Mrs. Miki Causey
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