By Brenda Johnson

(Editor’s Note: We have come to know Brenda Johnson through our Saturday School. Her son, Austyn, has been attending and she has jumped into Federationism with both feet. She has not only been a prolific baker for our bake auction, but is very active in our parents division and is helping plan future events for the division.)

I have three children; my youngest, Bailey, is five. Bryce is 11, and my oldest, Austyn, is 12. Austyn is blind.

In 2005, Austyn qualified to go to the Braille Challenge in California. We lived in upper Michigan at the time, and there were no real services for him. Austyn had received occasional services; every couple of months we would get a visit from a blind therapist. But when he went to the Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, it was a completely new world to us. We realized there were kids just like him. He had never met a blind person, let alone a child or playmate. Austyn didn’t place that year in the competition, but we did learn there were schools for the blind.

We started looking and came to Minnesota because we found that the school here was wonderful. Austyn does attend the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind (MSAB), but goes to public school for most of his day. He does go to the Academy for braille class and is on the swim team there.

Since we’ve been in Minnesota, we’ve gotten involved with the NFB. We’d never heard about the NFB before. There was a flyer at the Academy about the Easter egg hunt near the Capitol. That was the first time I met Carrie Gilmer, Steve Jacobson, and Jennifer Dunnam. With Carrie’s help, I’ve gotten involved with the Parents of Blind Children, including the Saturday School. It’s one of Austyn’s highlights to attend there.

We had the opportunity last year to go to our first NFB national convention. It was amazing! It was overwhelming! I took part in the leadership program there and I learned we need more parents and children to get involved in our organization. As parents, we need to be the voices of our children, since we know our children best and we know what they need. We need all the parents to come together so we can support one another, share ideas, find resources, and find answers to so many questions that we all have. I have already been able to answer some questions, but there are many more to be answered.

One thing I have learned is that I need to be my son’s advocate. I am his biggest cheerleader. We also need to teach our sighted siblings (Austyn has two of them). Our blind children need to know that they are not different. They can do anything. My five-year-old loves to walk with Austyn, uses her own white cane, and wears sleepshades as she walks down the street with him. She is going to be a travel instructor because she knows how to make the rainbow with her cane and she walks right alongside Austyn. She holds his hand and makes sure he is never left behind. She takes his hand if we’re somewhere new and he never is left behind. I’m sure that as time goes on, we are going to have to let Austyn go and be more independent.

By coming to the NFB’s monthly meetings, the Move-a-thon, and the National convention, I see how blind individuals are very independent. To be able to fly alone and get around in that hotel, especially that one in Dallas where I was lost, you just amaze me! I asked you for help to get around. I hope I can teach my son to be just like all of you. You have given me the hope, strength, and courage to be able to say to him “Yes, you can do it” and not let him give up because now I know it is possible—anything! I want to thank every one of you as you have paved such a great path for our children and us as parents. There is still a lot to be accomplished, but I’m so glad I’m on a team and that we can accomplish anything. Thank you all!