Guess what came in the mail today?
It’s a Perkins Braille Writer, and the anticipated arrival marks the opening of a whole new world for little Charlotte… once we learn how to work the thing!
Since her adoption almost two years ago, we’ve had a crash course in how to raise a blind child. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface. And something tells me it might always feel that way.
We never knew how much there was to learn, and how much vision (or the lack thereof) affects so many areas of life.
Now that we have this retro contraption as a permanent fixture in our living room, can I admit how ecstatic I am that it came in pretty blue?
I’ve already imagined up a sweet little slipcover to tuck it in at night.
Because this one will definitely not do.
Oh how exciting for Miss Charlotte! I just did a post last week on Fanny Crosby, the blind woman who wrote over 8,000 hymns in her lifetime. What a blessing you and your family are to her.
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful! And she is absolutely darling! It is amazing how most of us take something as simple as sight for granted. But it looks like even though she is blind, she's not missing out on any happiness :)
ReplyDeleteShe is a doll! How blessed she is to have found you. And the machine is a fabulous blue!:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little girl, how you must adore her!! What a great find, let us see the slipcover when you make it!!
ReplyDeleteShe is adorable!
ReplyDelete-Trish
A beautiful little girl! We've got a couple of those braillers kicking around here because my husband teaches the blind.
ReplyDeleteoh i love the color too and i'm sure the slipcover you make will be darling!
ReplyDeletecharlotte's little grin is so sweet...she must melt your heart.
judi ;)
She is darling and it is a nice soft blue.
ReplyDeleteShe is a beautiful little girl and I hope this magic machine opens new doors to her world. I have often said that if I had to lose one of my senses...please...please don't let it be my sight. We are all so visually connected to life that I can't imagine what it must be like for someone that has never seen color or large scale composition. What a blessing you have in finding each other- Diana
ReplyDeletelook at that precious girl....
ReplyDeletewhat a gift from God....
I love that she is so happy about the new braille writer....
I laughed out loud at your very last comment...that the present cover definitely won't do!
precious little one. what a blessing to be able to have a machine like this that will help her communicate better.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the lovely slipcover you will make .
Proof that any day of any month can be Christmas. Merry Christmas, sweetheart! I'm soooo happy for you! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWonderful addition!
ReplyDeletesweet blessings for charlotte. and in blue! yes, i imagine a perfectly lovely slipcover will adorn this braille writer. very nicely indeed.
ReplyDeletejust thinking on this...
since each child is an individual and each child's situation (at various stages) is new to them as well as us as parents, it's wise to remember that we've not yet passed this way. it's all new. for each child and parent. hm. i find myself recalling this little truth in finding a new rhythm in being a parent to my 20 year old. it's all new. grace offered and grace received..from parent to child and child to parent.
blessings,
jAne
While I don't have one of those around my house, I'm around them occasionally at work since the VI teachers and students work with them. Theirs are a bit loud and not as cute in that pretty color. I've learned a lot about how vision impairments affect kiddos in ways I never imagined but the way they compensate, how other senses are heightened and their spirit is inspiring. I'm not sure who is luckier, that little girl or your family. It's a blessing both ways for sure.
ReplyDeleteHow cool and exciting! I'm sure it will be fun for everyone learning how to use it.
ReplyDeleteI really admire that you are going to keep this out and proudly work it in with all your other pretty things...I know you'd do it anyway but how lucky you are that it has that perfect vintage feel to it in the perfect shade of blue! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a beautiful family and I would love to hear how it goes learning braille.
Take care and hope you are all enjoying the start of fall ~
Sarah
What a little darling! She must be so thankful to have such a wonderful family! Love the color of the braille machine...how perfectly vintage looking! Please share the new cover you make for it! I have also bought my first drop cloth and can't wait to see what projects I can come up with! You can see my canvas drop cloth pillow I stenciled on my bed in my latest blog post! Also, be sure to check out the previous post to see the matching chair(s) that I mentioned earlier that match your sofa!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Hi Rie,You post brought me back to the sixth grade (eons ago). We had a brother and sister in our class (twins) that were blind. They had some special classes, but spent most of their days with us.
ReplyDeleteOur teacher was so great ~ involving the whole class in their blind experiences. We each had a braille alphabet taped to our desk. We had braille machines in the class so we could practice right along with them.
For all of us it just seemed so natural, they were our friends and I have such respect for the way our teacher helped us learn to understand and be comfortable with blindess. (At least to the degree that sixth graders can do that.)
I pray for your precious Charolotte, many wonderful teachers, too.
Fondly,
Glenda
Hooray! And such a lovely color too...what sweet pictures of your wee one. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school, I had the privilege of working for an amazing psychologist, who also happened to be blind since birth. Little Charlotte's braille writer just brought back many fond memories of that wonderful time. Our desks were connected, facing each other and as I typed away on the typewriter she did the same on the writer, but with much greater speed than I. How exciting to share a new discovery together that will bring her much joy.
ReplyDeleteThe sweetness of this post and that beautiful little girl brings tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteJust look at her little smile as she touches the writer. Pure sweetness. :-)
Hi Rie,
ReplyDeleteI love this post...
Your daughter is so adorable. You always inspire me.
I can't wait to the cover you make for it.
Take Care,
Maria
What an adorable little girl. I love how she is touching it so tenderly :)
ReplyDeleteyou know, the first thing i thought of was how awesome it looks! that is my favorite shade of blue! i'd buy one just to sit on a shelf!
ReplyDeleteYay for Charlotte! I'm sure your cover will be just the right touch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little soul~
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the joy she brings!
You obviously love LIFE. What a great gift you are for your beautiful daughter. My grandfather was blind...and from him I learned that without sight, comes more feeling...you are able feel more and are able to love more, which in some ways makes you more fortunate than those that can see.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Candace
LOFT32
I am sitting here, quietly learning from your love..
ReplyDeletebeautiful, Rie....
greater love has no one than this.
-{darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign