[Mt-blind] SOP

[Edward C Robbins]

Bernice,
        Thanks.  This is good P R for the MAB.
I was just reflecting on my own experience at the SOP, back in "79.  It
was a help to me and I haven't slowed down since.
Ted Robbins
On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 09:51:14 -0600 "Bernice  DeHaas" <berncom at mcn.net>
writes:
> The MAB Summer Orientation Program is up and running with a full 
> quota of students.  Here is an article from today's Bozeman Daily 
> Chronicle.
> Bernice DeHaas
>  
> Visually impaired gather on MSU campus
> By AMY MAY Chronicle Staff Writer
> The only sound coming from the craft room was the hum of sewing 
> machines. Students in Marsha Johnson's class were bent intently over 
> their projects creating colorful patchwork pillow shams.
> Perfect stitches and exact cuts would be hard work for anyone to 
> accomplish, yet Johnson's students created their masterpieces 
> without the benefit of sight.
> "They are all basically doing it themselves," said Johnson of her 
> visually impaired students.
> The sewing class is just one of many courses offered as a part of 
> the Montana Association for the Blind's Summer Orientation Program.
> The program, which is held on Montana State University's campus, is 
> in its 58th summer of operation.
> The four-week program is designed to help people with failing 
> eyesight acquire the skills needed to remain independent.
> The students, who range in age from 30 to 89, rise early in the 
> morning to fix their own breakfast and get to their first class by 
> 7:45 a.m.
> For the rest of the day the students attend seven different 
> classes.
> White canes tend to get tangled as the students pass one other in 
> the narrow hallways. Each student is required to use one, and if 
> caught without their cane the student is fined a quarter.
> "A lot of them don't like the canes because they think it makes them 
> stand out," Kay Stephens, the program director who is also visually 
> impaired, said as she skimmed her own can along the tile floor. "But 
> one day, they'll need a cane, so it's good to know how to use one."
> "This program opens doors to people," said Susan Gunn, 52, who 
> teaches students how to use their canes while walking the streets of 
> Bozeman.
> Initially, a lot of the students come to the program confused and 
> frightened.
> "So far, everyone has been willing to try," Gunn said of the first 
> week of classes.
> When John Green came to the program last summer, he acknowledged 
> being scared.
> "I was just feeling sorry for myself," he said.
> Yet Green left last year's orientation with a new found sense of 
> confidence.
> Last Sunday the students put their new skills to the test when they 
> took a trip to the Hyalite Recreation Area. Many of the participants 
> hiked the paved trail to the Palisade Falls.
> The orientation students will be showing off their new skills at an 
> open house this Sunday. Visitors will be able to observe the 
> students in their classes. The open house runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on 
> Sunday, June 25.
>