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The first day blindfolds were passed out to the trainees, who wore them for the first hour. They introduced themselves and shared if they had ever had any experiences with knowing a blind person. Beverly shared her own blindness story losing her sight and learning independence and empowerment as a blind woman, and then her inspired interest in the mission field to bring canes and freedom to blind people in other countries. While blindfolded, they all followed Beverly outside, holding each others shoulders. Beverly was leading them all with her cane. Guy, Beverly’s husband, watched and gave assistance if needed. After going out a small distance from the building, she asked them to let go of each other, turn around, and go back in the building and find their seats. She mostly did this for the shock value of how to locate a place without sight. For a snack break after the first hour, she asked half of the group to take off their blindfolds and assist one another to the cafeteria, without the knowledge of sighted-guide technique. Once back, she asked them to take off their blindfolds and then demonstrated sighted-guide technique with her husband assisting. The paired group then took turns practicing this with one person blindfolded and then switching places. Throughout the training, questions and discussions were encouraged. Next day began with how to measure a cane, how to hold a cane, and proper cane technique. Everyone had a chance to practice this technique without being blindfolded to get the technique down. Afterwards, they paired up with one being blindfolded, and the other assisting, and practiced walking around. Then they changed places, so all had a chance to experience how to travel independently with a cane. Beverly explained all the ways a blind person uses a cane safely such as trailing a building or curb, going up and down stairs, protecting their head and face from overhanging objects and so much more. The missionary trainees learned how to measure a cane for a blind person, while on the missions field, along with how to show that person how to safely use it in their own environment. They all spent time practicing this. Beverly explained that they would have to seek out the blind people in the countries where they were traveling to. Most of the blind people in these countries are hidden from view and just led around by hand. Beverly, while in South Africa on her last missions trip, had to ask people if there were any blind people there. They told her about one, and he was one of the first to learn how to use a cane. He is featured on the brochure she has for sharing the Global Cane Outreach mission. This group of missionaries will be going to Haiti, and will be bringing folding canes, in hopes of finding some blind people they can train to use them. The folding canes are used because they are easier to transport. Beverly has put together training manuals with pictures and instructions, that she gives to the missionaries to help them in the field. If you are interested in participating in helping her train missionaries, would like a brochure to take to your church, or want to know more about the mission project, contact Beverly at: Home: 831-440-1897 Cell: 831-588-8776 Email: bevie.k@comcast.net. , Please pray for Beverly as she prepares for her mission trip to South Africa in February 2011. | Return Home | Subscribe or post a comment | From the editor | For sale this month... | Wanted | Business & job opportunities | Services | Announcements | Tips & tidbits from the Food Lady | Blind Man Walking | Global Cane Outreach | Links of interest | Post an ad or announcement | |
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