3 minute read
'When Santa writes to me in Braille, I feel included'
S T O R Y T A K E N F R O M G E M O ' R E I L L Y , B B C N E W S
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On 16 December, BBC News published a story about one of our service users, Aadam, who has a visual impairment.
This year, the Royal National Institute of Blind People produced letters from Santa in Braille. This means that Aadam can now correspond with Santa to share his Christmas wishes.
Aadam shared that he 'loved making the video, especially making the cake and wrapping the presents. The best part was being on national television. Santa partly delivered, but not all of it, I am still waiting for my boom box!'
Please click here to view the story and video on BBC News.
Please see the below reflections from Raj Mistry, Group Manager, Education, Inclusion and Achievement, Yolanda Musinguzi, Acting Head of Latham School, Liesel Pillay, Class Teacher at Latham School, Sabrina Wade, Teaching Assistant at Latham School.
The teachers expressed their pride and praised Aadam for his wonderful interview. All the other pupils were very impressed with Aadam’s confidence.
As a class we became more aware of Christmas for the visually impaired and debated the importance for Christmas to become more sound and sign friendly. Therefore we decorated his walking cane with tactile objects like beads and added some jingle bells on it. He loved that.
Overall, Aadam is becoming a very confident and independent learner. His support teachers are giving him the responsibilities to get himself organised independently in preparation for secondary school.
Friendship and routine in his class are very important and structured. He enjoys having his buddies on rotation and the class is very good and caring to his needs. It is such a pleasure to be Aadam’s class teacher and we admire his hard work and dedication to learning.
From the video, Aadam's confidence in wanting and expecting to be included in festive celebrations reflects what all of us want for our pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Aadam and his mother’s expectations are reflected in the effective partnership between the Sensory Service, the staff in Lathom, and the wider multi-disciplinary team.
Aadam is now in year 6 and we do hope to hear more about his achievements as he secures a place in secondary school. Aadam is developing independence and is clearly an exceptional young person who has worked with professionals in school and the Sensory Service to ensure the he can learn and grow.
Dance Dosti - free dance classes for people with sight loss
Starts Wednesday 26 January, 5-6pm Newham Sixth Form College, Prince Regent Lane, London E13 8SG.
Join our new, weekly classes every Wednesday in partnership with Newham Ability Camp.
Learn Bollywood, Contemporary, and other styles in our fun, inclusive sessions for all ages and abilities.
Dance Dosti is delivered by inclusive dance company Step Change Studios in partnership with Metro Blind Sport and supported by Vision Foundation.
To book onto our classes, please click here or call 07462 895461.
