Sadly we share that Alden did not win the Smart Brailler L

We are elated at the amount of support we received during the competition!  Our family cannot thank all of you enough for the time and energy that you put forth on our behalf.  My sister asked me a few days ago to consider a fundraiser in the event that Alden did not win.  Last night, before the votes were tallied, she informed me that the decision was no longer my own to make.  It seems that there are several strong willed and loving women (and men) in our corner!  IF you are interested in donating please visit the link below.

http://www.razoo.com/br/causes/A-Glimpse-Beyond-Sight-Alden-Porter-1

 

Thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the love and support!

Campaigning for Alden!

Our family was so lucky to have been selected to participate in this wonderful

program.  “Marty” the Smart Brailler by Perkins was a part of our family (just

on loan) for two weeks.  We had a fabulous time learning about the various

components and applications. 

 

Since then we’ve decided that we absolutely can’t live without a Smart Brailler

and are rallying votes to bring Marty back to Florida to stay! 

 

Please follow the link and vote for The Porter Family!

http://www.wonderbaby.org/backpacking-smart-brailler-vote

 

Vote for Alden!

HELLO SUMMER!

......................................................................................................................................................................

Our little family is a blur during the summer.

It’s easy to find fun here in this amazing city. St. Augustine Florida was a vacation spot, a home away from home, for years. Now I’m thrilled to finally have a little time off to enjoy the easy breezy ambiance of summer in what finally feels like MY city.

 

a view from the top of the hill at

Castillo de San Marcos

http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm

 

 

Here's another one.  The best part about trudging up to the top of the hill...........

........... is rolling down!

 

 

Recent Data Report
 (via Alden)
There are currently 21 Cannons on the top level of the fort, including the ones that they put chemicals in and fire!

 

Trent's favorite part was the musket firing demonstration.

 

 

 

 

“To boldly go where everyone else has gone before”

I read this on a bumper sticker one time and have adopted it as our slogan. 

Having a blind kid in our family doesn’t mean that we are limited in the adventures we can have together. It does mean that a little more pre-planning and patience are needed to make sure everyone has a good time.

With all that said the Fort was an amazing place to explore.   This was not our first but it was the first time, in a long time, that we weren’t in a hurry, it wasn’t blazing hot or freezing cold, and no one was starving to death. These things paired with Alden’s increased level of independent ability with his cane made for one of the best trips yet!

 

 

The staff at the Fort was more than kind.  They were amazing.   They answered the 1.5 million questions that were burning a hole in Alden’s very existence, handed Trent some pirate treasure, and even looked sad to see us leave.

 

 

 

 

 

ONE MORE PICTURE:

This was from our trip to the Fort in March!   Freezing!

 

(funny how much changes in just 3 months)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Blanding

Days Gone By……………….

(becausethis blog was started 10 years too late

I’ve decided that it’s perfectly acceptable to back track,)

Camp Blanding 2013 (Pack #249)

 Trent

  Alden

 

 

We had a great time!

 

 

Marty the Smart Brailler has been packed up and shipped out. 

 He’s on his way to visit the Corman family in New Jersey. 

I asked Alden what his favorite thing about having Marty here was.  His response was that he liked going all the way back and reading about Abby!  (even though the paper and tactile braille is long gone, Marty remembers everything and will read it aloud if you continue to push the up button)    I’m sure that JP and Camille (Corman) will have lots of fun reading all the silly things that Alden and the FSDB kiddo’s typed.

There’s still time to submit an application for Marty to come visit your home.  http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/backpacking-smart-brailler-event

Learn more about the smart brailler by visiting

http://www.wonderbaby.org/news/perkins-unveils-smart-brailler

 

Happy Traveling Marty!

The results are in from the "Touch and See" braille event........................

      Take a quick trip over to FSDB's Parent Blog

to find out which brailler won the most votes!

http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/?cat=28

 

 

 

 

WHO DO YOU THINK THE WINNER WILL BE?

 

 

 

 

 

                        

                                                      

Introducing....................Our sweet friend Ry

 

Yep.  She's adorable!








 

Alden's best friend in the whole wide world is Ms. Ryleigh Elizabeth Blades. She’s six now. When we first met her I think she looked something like this

 

Pretty Stinkin Cute Huh?!




 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Cuteness Overload Right!  

 

 

 

So of course he was super excited to let her have a turn with Marty! 

She loved it.

 



 





                           According to Ryleigh.  "The best thing about him his that he talks" 

 

                 They make such a great team!