17 year old Jade talks about her great experience at The Carroll Center for the Blind

Jada smiles as she works in the CCB garden this summer
As I continue to raise money for The Carroll Center for the Blind, I thought I would share Jade's story. I met Jade this summer and I was pleased to see this nice piece about her in the recent CCB Focus publication:

"Being at the Carroll Center is amazing, really. It is totally different than high school. I have made excellent friends hear and learned to advocate for myself. I open up so much more here. The teachers are patient and they listen to you" - Jada

When you first see 17 year old Jade, you are struck by how put together she is; black and white dress with flowers, a complimentary flowery silver necklace and a slew of silver bangles. Perhaps she is a budding design student. But then you notice her white cane and remember she can't see. "I know I can't see so I like to look nice." she remarks upon receiving a compliment, "and my mother helps me".

Born with optic nerve hypoplasia, Jade is in the 11th grade at Chelsea High school, one of just a handful of blind students. Currently, she is taking three advanced placement courses in English Literature, US History and Spanish. She also takes honors biology and geometry. Jade has a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) provided by the Carroll Center who orders her Braille books, coordinates adaptations with her teachers and teaches her how to use her talking computer. Her TVI makes  sure that she is fully integrated and has every opportunity that is afforded her sighted peers. Jade uses her iPhone regularly. The Carroll Center has been supporting Jade in public schools since 5th grade.

This summer Jade spent five weeks participating in the Youth-in-Transition program. After much prodding and cajoling from her friends, she decided to try fencing. "I didn't want to do it and was afraid, but I tried it. It was life-changing really. Your self-esteem is improved. You just have to open yourself up and try".

*********************************************************************************

Jade is a sweetheart and just one of the thousands of great people that have benefited from the fantastic services at the Carroll Center. I've reached 10% of my goal in my latest fundraiser. I kindly ask that you help me reach my full goal for the best cause on the planet!!
2nd annual Geno's World fundraiser for The Carroll Center for the Blind