Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Younger Brother Started at a School for the Blind Today (self.Blind)
submitted by thebrilliantluxury
My younger brother went blind in January 2019, and today we dropped him off at a school for the blind in our state. It's about 2.5 hours from where we live currently, and he seemed so excited about it. He's been stuck inside for a little over a year, though we tried to get him to go out as much as possible, he was always too nervous, anxious, or afraid to go out because he was only getting around by me leading him.
I am so proud of him and I just wanted to share my pride today. This road has been really hard for him, and for us to adjust to, but today I saw my little brother smile and get genuinely excited about going to school for the first time in months. He got a cane today, they'll teach him everything he needs to know, and make sure he can handle this new development in his life on his own.
I already miss him, but man! It feels good to see him realize that his life isn't confined to four walls just because he lost his vision.
Does anyone have any tips for him as he goes through his schooling or any advice for myself and my parents?
UPDATE 2/4: His first day went great! He was so excited when he called me last night. They gave him a cane immediately and started showing him how to use it, he's going to get a computer with all the voice activated software on it, he used the rec room and has already made a few friends! He's tired, but happy, and already seeing what he can do without vision. I'll update again soon! Thank you for your support and love! ❤
I am so proud of him and I just wanted to share my pride today. This road has been really hard for him, and for us to adjust to, but today I saw my little brother smile and get genuinely excited about going to school for the first time in months. He got a cane today, they'll teach him everything he needs to know, and make sure he can handle this new development in his life on his own.
I already miss him, but man! It feels good to see him realize that his life isn't confined to four walls just because he lost his vision.
Does anyone have any tips for him as he goes through his schooling or any advice for myself and my parents?
UPDATE 2/4: His first day went great! He was so excited when he called me last night. They gave him a cane immediately and started showing him how to use it, he's going to get a computer with all the voice activated software on it, he used the rec room and has already made a few friends! He's tired, but happy, and already seeing what he can do without vision. I'll update again soon! Thank you for your support and love! ❤
CosmicBunny97 7 points 3y ago
I don’t have any advice but this is awesome! I hope he will have a good time 💕
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you so much! ❤
buckeyes4me 5 points 3y ago
I work at a school for the blind and it is a wonderful place. All students can participate in everything! The sports are all adapted everyone can play. The dorms teach the kids how to take care of themselves and their belongings. Best of luck to your brother. He has a great chance to thrive in his new school!
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 1 points 3y ago
This makes me so relieved! He has his own room and bathroom so we got him all set up and everything. He's already gone to the rec room so he can start working out again!
Angels_Bazooka 4 points 3y ago
Congratulations to you and your brother! Which state do you guys live in? I would also help him apply for state services, he could get many useful benefits. I'd also advise you guys to meet and connect to other families to find resources and create a support system.
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 2 points 3y ago
We live in Kentucky. He's at the KY School for the Blind. As for services, we've been working on that. There are a lot of resources that we weren'r aware of until recently. Thank you for the advice!
TacticalAvocado222 2 points 3y ago
I was just at KSB! Their new elementary/middle school dorm is awesome!
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That's at the McDowell Center, I think! We went there first LOL. It was a little confusing because both schools are next to each other. KSB is for adults, or that's what we were told at least. We're going back to see him on Sunday!
TacticalAvocado222 1 points 3y ago
As far as I know ls the k-12 school but I'll ask some friends of mine
bscross32 3 points 3y ago
Please make sure your parents are overseeing this process. Some of these schools are terrible, and people come out of them worse and more broken than they were when they went in.
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Seriously? That's so scary. We're all keeping an eye on him, and most of the calls from the school come through me first and foremost unless I'm in class and can't answer, then they go through my mother. We're being as vigilant as we can be since we're only 2 days in, but we'll be on the lookout for anything bad going on. Thank you for letting me know!
bscross32 1 points 3y ago
Well not to be alarmist or anything, but yeah. Hopefully he can manage for himself, I think in the comments I read he was 26, so that's kind of different than a kid.
But yeah, sometimes they don't exactly foster independence. I've been lucky to stay out of blind schools, but I've heard from other people and there are some horror stories.
But yeah, sometimes they don't exactly foster independence. I've been lucky to stay out of blind schools, but I've heard from other people and there are some horror stories.
blackberrybunny 2 points 3y ago
How old is he? I can't wait to hear about how his first day went!
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 2 points 3y ago
He' 26 now. He was 25 when he lost his vision. I guess I kind of make him sound like a kid!
blackberrybunny 2 points 3y ago
No, you didn't make him sound like a kid, at all. I was just curious. I think your family has made an excellent choice, having him attend a school like that. Myself, I was in my late 30's when I finally decided to go to a center that taught independence and living skills for the blind. It was a life changing event for me, one of the best choices I ever made. Your brother has gone much earlier than I did, and that is awesome! I bet he had a scary first day, but also, it was the exciting kind of scary that he will never forget, and he's going to have a wonderful time at his new school, trust me! Kudos to you guys, and especially to him, for being brave and taking the first step to the rest of his going-to-be-incredible life!! I applaud each of you!
thebrilliantluxury [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Thank you for sharing your story a bit! That makes me a lot more confident. I know it might sound weird, but I felt almost like a parent or something when we dropped him off. I was the one who helped him over the last 12-13 months, I lead him around, made his appointments, dinner, etc., and now it's so weird! But, I know he's going to be a new man when he finishes at this school. He's already talking about applying to Northwestern so he can become a writer! His life has changed so much just from being at school for a couple of days!
blackberrybunny 1 points 3y ago
I am so thrilled for your brother!! Becoming a write is an excellent choice. And you sound like one heck of a great brother. He certainly needed your help. I know he appreciates you, and he's going to make you guys so proud!! Maybe in a few months, when you get a chance, you can post again and tell us all about his experiences there. For sure he is going to have some exciting and funny stories to tell. I for one, would love to hear them! And just think, if only a couple of days at this school has made such a positive difference, just think what a couple of months will do. I'm so happy for you all! And I feel proud of him, for taking the leap, even though I don't know him. He is a brother-in-arms to me, if you know what I mean. Us blind people have to stick together, hahaha. I believe we all feel a certain level of being kindred spirits, if that makes sense. :-)
Jimenez230 1 points 3y ago
He’s going to learn so much. And make friends. I graduated from the school for the blind in Texas, and while being away from home was hard for the first few weeks, it was nice to realize that there were so many opportunities out there and though we find our independence differently then others, we can be anything we want to be. He can join sports, possibly theater or choir, I wish him good luck and hope he has a fantastic time.
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