Blindness has not been for me a total misfortune; it should not be seen in a pathetic way. It should be seen as a way of life; one of the styles of living...The world of the blind is not the night that people imagine. - JORGE LUIS BORGES
In July 2005, I blogged about a Filipina teacher in Washington DC, Renee Dunalvo, who's successful in her teaching profession despite her limitations, difficulties and challenges being visually impaired. She just emailed me recently with a delight in her new computer and the screen reader for the visually impaired JAWS. She told me in our online correspondence:
"Hello Marisol! I am pleased to receive the information about the writing workshop. I am planning to attend. Let me also tell you that I am more and more in love with the world-wide web; it is fun to read all kinds of emails. JAWS, which is giving me the voice output is wonderful. Look forward to hear from you soon! Love, Renee"
I can feel her excitement with being able to connect with everyone through this technology. She added in her next email:
"There are still many things to learn about this computer system. Today, I just completed another session of training. It is definitely a great tool for independence. Hope that most if not all of our fellow Filipino teachers here are computer literate. We really need it! Love, Renee"
Isn't her (dis)ability extraordinary? I really admire these individuals with unusual abilities and skills, educators, writers, policy makers, physicians, photographers who reach their full potential despite being visually impaired.
Here's one more related news from the CEC Smart Brief:
Maryland's Westminster High School veteran French and Latin teacher Gary LeGates, blind since birth, recently earned a Chamber of Commerce award for his outstanding teaching. Since he says he may be the only blind person his students ever meet, he feels it's important to show them that people with disabilities are just like anyone else. The Sun (Baltimore) (free registration)
1 comment:
inspiring...
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