I love many things about being an author. The list is endless, and right up there at the top is the opportunity to get involved in some amazing charity events. This weekend I was was very privileged to be invited to be part of the Project Brailler LitFest, in Thornbury.
I'll be honest, I've never thought much about how blind and visually impaired children learn to read. I've always loved the story of Helen Keller, but the nitty gritty of it is all slightly vague. So when I was told about Kristy and her daughter Lily-Grace, I knew I had to say yes. Kristy started the charity after winning a Smart Brailler for Lily-Grace, who is 6 years old and has been registered partially sighted since she was 10 months old. Kristy entered a competition to win Lily-Grace a Smart Brailler. When she won one, Kristy set up the Project Brailler charity in order to provide other blind and visually impaired children with a Smart Brailler too. She raised £7K in just 3 weeks. How wonderful it would be if each blind or visually impaired child in the UK could have their own Smart Brailler to help them discover the joy of books.
It was fascinating and truly inspirational to see the braillers, which talk in an American accent, and watch Lily-Grace writing braille. Kristy also explained how they use six polystyrene balls, golf ball size, to start teaching the braille letter configurations. I also saw some children's books that have been written into braille, with a transparency film laid over the book pages. Easy for the children to feel.
I admire the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and pink hair so much. After meeting Lily-Grace and some of her school friends, I felt very humbled and blessed to have all my faculties and it has seriously made me think about the impact these Smart Braillers could have on children's lives.
Please support them if you can, have a look at their Facebook page or connect with them on twitter @Pbrailler or go to their website to find out more. Thanks and well done to Kristy and Caz and everyone else that organised the day.
I'll be honest, I've never thought much about how blind and visually impaired children learn to read. I've always loved the story of Helen Keller, but the nitty gritty of it is all slightly vague. So when I was told about Kristy and her daughter Lily-Grace, I knew I had to say yes. Kristy started the charity after winning a Smart Brailler for Lily-Grace, who is 6 years old and has been registered partially sighted since she was 10 months old. Kristy entered a competition to win Lily-Grace a Smart Brailler. When she won one, Kristy set up the Project Brailler charity in order to provide other blind and visually impaired children with a Smart Brailler too. She raised £7K in just 3 weeks. How wonderful it would be if each blind or visually impaired child in the UK could have their own Smart Brailler to help them discover the joy of books.
It was fascinating and truly inspirational to see the braillers, which talk in an American accent, and watch Lily-Grace writing braille. Kristy also explained how they use six polystyrene balls, golf ball size, to start teaching the braille letter configurations. I also saw some children's books that have been written into braille, with a transparency film laid over the book pages. Easy for the children to feel.
I admire the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and pink hair so much. After meeting Lily-Grace and some of her school friends, I felt very humbled and blessed to have all my faculties and it has seriously made me think about the impact these Smart Braillers could have on children's lives.
Please support them if you can, have a look at their Facebook page or connect with them on twitter @Pbrailler or go to their website to find out more. Thanks and well done to Kristy and Caz and everyone else that organised the day.