Pencils and styluses

I still remember the very first day when my mom and my granny took me to a school for blind kids; this was going to be my primary school for the first few years of my life. I remembered taking a small school bag that contained, among other things, pencils and an exercise book. Then came the first surprise of my life! The teacher gently told me that at this school I was not going to use pencils and an exercise book. I would be using something called a stylus and pocket slate.

Needless to say that I was confused, upset, and could not understand why. If my brothers used them then why was I not going to be allowed to do the same? Then sometime not too long after, it all came together in my little mind. I could not use pencils and exercise books like my brothers Robert and Jeffrey; I could not see to write so I now had to enter the world of touch techniques to help me read and write. I must say that I took it all in with interest and my great curiosity and affinity for learning soon took over.

Each day I could not wait to rush home to tell Mom and Granny about my adventures and then Dad would listen intently but still he continued to help me keep my feet in the sighted world. You see, he spent endless hours teaching me to count, read, and spell and he even described the printed letters to me.

These three marvelous persons were my teachers and sure helped me to have the best of both worlds.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.