Common Sense

Just to let any visitors know that we now have a website up and running, with HUGE thanks to Dan and to Laine!

Visit: www.commonsense.me.uk

At the present time, we will be using the website exclusively, and no longer using this blog!

Please give us any feedback, and we welcome any suggestions and contributions.

Thanks,
Sarah, Chair Common Sense

If you visit here, you can see photos of Lucas with Dan Kish and Brian Bushway from World Access for the Blind: http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/6524381

Common Sense hosted a talk by Daniel Kish and Brain Bushway from World Access for the Blind on mobility and echo location/ The talk was well attended by parents, education professionals, medical professionals, plus some people from the Dorset Blind Association. The talk amazed everyone there about what is possible in terms of "No limits Mobility" for any blind person. Lucas and family were lucky enough to have a few days with Dan and Brian, and the change in him is HUGE!! He has gone from a pretty timid traveler, to walking entirely unaided, even in crowded shopping centres. He also does steps, lifts and escalators with much more confidence than before! Some other parents jumped at the chance to have some input and advice from Dan and Brian, and each of them feel they have learned a lot, and have much more to work on! We have our youngest Common Sense member using a cane at just 14 months!! Lucas is also working hard on his advanced echo location skills, and we intend to work on them everyday, as we now feel the sky is the limit for his future!! I will get Iain to put some photos on this post, but if you want to see more, visit www.worldaccessfortheblind.com to see what all the fuss is about, and watch this space for more input with our children from Dan and Brian. We can't thank them enough for what they have taught us all!!

This pre-schoolers session arranged brilliantly by Laine was well attended by friends, and we had 4 visually impaired children join in. It was the first time Connie had attempted anything like this, and Lucas did his first ever forward roll. Abi and Heidi amazed us all with their agility and grace. It was great to see the Common Sense children share an activity with sighted friends, and nice for the parents to all meet too. We are thrilled with how well the session went (thanks Rebecca and Laine!), and the kids were thrilled by their balloons and stickers. We will definitely do this activity again, hopefully including more V I kids next time. Keep you posted!

Updating a long time after the event, but better late than never! We had a wonderful day at The Adventure Wonderland. The children got the chance to meet Alice, the White Rabbit (Sams favourite), and the Queen of Hearts (Who Lucas discovered was from Newcastle, and proceeded to mimic the accent all day). Lots of rides were experienced - the older, braver ones went on the galleon,  and everyone else had a go at the flying elephants, teacups, caterpillar train, and much more! Harley wowed us all on the Bouncy Castle. Siblings, V I kids and parents alike seemed to enjoy the day, over which we made some new friends, spun, bounced and ran, and shared an ice cream. We also got 2 pages in the Bournemouth Echo and a page in the  Advertiser.  Our kids got lots of attention with their canes, and overall the staff were obliging. I hope we can enjoy more days out together!