Hadley Celebrates Years - The Hadley School for the Blind

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2 Age is Nothing but a (Braille) Number W hen Albuquerque, N.M. resident Mary Foster was diagnosed with glaucoma five years ago, she realized her favorite pastime, reading, was in danger. Rather than give up the enjoyment of time spent curled up with a book or newspaper, the former nurse became determined to learn braille. Today, Foster, 94, is a Hadley student whose braille instructors rave about her progress and her passion for learning. “Reading is how I take in information,” Foster says. “I couldn’t give it up. I asked: ‘Why couldn’t I learn braille if I applied myself?’” Foster’s educational journey began when her daughter helped her obtain a week-long scholarship to Lions World, a rehabilitation agency in Little Rock, Ark. The purpose was to learn about living independently with a visual impairment. At week’s end, an instructor recommended she continue her braille studies at Hadley, because courses were comprehensive and free, and Foster could study from home. She enrolled at Hadley in 2008, beginning “Braille Literacy 1,” one of 10 braille instruction courses the school offers to students with a visual impairment. She was delighted to be able to study at her own pace with instructors whom she describes as “approachable and wonderful.” Foster found memorizing braille characters easy and committed the alphabet and numbers to memory quickly. She experienced a common roadblock to tactile reading for older braille readers: reduced sensitivity in her fingers. Her instructors provided ideas and support as she identified techniques such as using lotion before reading and finger massage to improve tactile sensitivity. Before long, she was back to reading books for pleasure. She attributes her success in part to deliberately setting aside time each day for braille studies and taking her distance education courses seriously. Some Memorable Moments in Hadley’s History 1915 William Hadley, a man with a voracious appetite for reading and learning, loses his vision as a result of the flu epidemic of 1915 1920 With his neighbor, Dr. E.V.L. Brown, Hadley establishes the first school to teach braille by mail. His first student is a Kansas homemaker desperate to learn braille so that she can continue to read to her children These days, Foster reads whatever she can get her hands on and says her daughter sends “more reading material than I can get through in a lifetime.” She just completed biographies of Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller and Louis Braille. “I am in awe of all of those people and their contributions to the blindness community,” she says. Though current statistics indicate braille literacy is in decline, Foster serves as a role model, letting nothing stand in the way of her access to literature. According to the National Federation “I live alone, but with braille I am never lonely.” of the Blind, of the 1.3 million people who are blind in the United States, fewer than 10% are braille literate. Hadley instructors cite the perception of braille as daunting and complicated as a roadblock to braille education among senior citizens. Foster’s fearlessness sets her apart from many braille-shy peers and demonstrates that braille can be learned at any age. Foster intends to continue her braille studies. “It’s very important that senior citizens do something to keep mentally active,” she says. “Braille fills that part of my life. I live alone, but with braille I am never lonely.” 1922 The Hadley Correspondence School for the Blind incorporated 1926 Donald Wing Hathaway hired as part-time instructor; serves as president 1969 – 1975 1930s Four-year High School Program initiated “
Friends Honor Founder, Renew Goal to “Make a Difference” T he Friends of Hadley, a volunteer organization that has supported the school since the 1970s, is always willing to assist a student in need or address a special cause. When a Hadley student lost all her possessions in Hurricane Katrina, the Friends provided her with computer equipment so she could get back on her feet and return to work. Over the years they have funded course development and also provided initial support for the Family Education Program. After founder and well-loved Friends’ Chair Patti Willian passed away last March, Friends member Rosita Schloss stepped up and offered to chair the group. In February, the Friends gathered at Hadley for tea and decided to continue the special work they have undertaken to support Hadley for more than 30 years. In celebration of Hadley’s 90th anniversary, we recently held an essay contest, asking students to write a letter to William Hadley explaining what the school he co-founded in 1920 has meant to them and how they have applied what they’ve learned to their daily life. The Friends have agreed to fund travel for the winner and a guest to attend Hadley’s 90th anniversary celebration, accept an award and read the winning essay to the school’s supporters. Patti liked to think of the Friends of Hadley as the school’s “fairy godmothers”; in her honor, they will continue to be. Photo, left: Judy Blunck (left) and Rosita Schloss enjoy catching up. Above: Friends members Sue Chapman, Judy Petri, Jan Granath and Liz Beck Taking Hadley’s courses provided the practical, hands-on information I needed to do my job on a daily basis. —Mary Kakareka, Hadley School for Professional Studies student It doesn’t seem as though you would have a personal connection through distance education. But Hadley is so contrary to that idea. I’ve developed such good connections and have gotten such good advice. —Jennifer O’Neill, Family Education student 1935 Lions of Illinois resolves to support Hadley students 1937 Hadley School moves to Winnetka Community House 1941 William Hadley, 81, passes away 1950s Audio recording of courses begins (Radio/TV personalities were readers) 1953 Woman’s Board founded; first president is Mrs. Ernest Ballard After starting my courses with Hadley, I fell in love with learning. —Megan Tate, Hadley high school graduate Hadley instructors shared their confidence ” in such a way as to remove a lot of the fear of being blind for me. —Dannie Hawley Adult Continuing Education student Groundbreaking for new building at 700 Elm Street (cover photo) 1954 Richard Kinney, one of the first deafblind college graduates, joins Hadley faculty; serves as president 1975 – 1979 3
Page 1 and 2: 1920 - 201090 Hadley Celebrates Yea
Page 3: Donor Spotlight Charlie Beinlich’
Page 7 and 8: Spring From Darkness Into Light Iha

Hadley Celebrates Years - The Hadley School for the Blind

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