Tauna La Bare’s self-contained special education class got a treat on Halloween.
The group received a visit from Sidney couple Mike and Alberta Barnard. The Barnards are blind and brought their service dogs to the classroom to answer questions and showed many ways they use technology and other ways to do daily chores.
The visit was inspired by the book La Bare’s class is currently reading, “Follow My Leader” by James Garfield.
The book follows Jimmy, who is blinded in an accident with a firecracker. He then has to relearn all the things he used to know. He’s helped by a determined therapist, who helps Jimmy learn to read Braille and how to use a cane. He eventually is given the change to have a guide dog, Leader.
Over the past few weeks, the students have explored what it is like to be blind. They’ve been blindfolded and had to navigate through the classroom, attempt to put on a dress shirt and button it, and trying to get around the class to get a certain object while using clock times for their directions, said La Bare.
All of these things were also experienced by the book’s main character.
“As a culminating activity, we had the guide dogs and the Barnards come in to explain how they got their guide dogs and compare their experiences with Jimmy (from the book),” La Bare said.
The Barnards spent about an hour with the class on Halloween, showing different things they do each day and answering a slew of inquisitive questions from the class. They took students through a journey of learning what it’s like to live as a blind couple, and showed that, in some aspects, how they live is no different than any other person.
The couple began by using a Braille slate to write each student’s name on an index card, which allowed the students to have a keepsake of the visit. While doing it, they explained to the students that the slate was a way to take notes if they were out and about. In recent years, Mike also carries a mini-recorder to speak into and keep notes.
Many of the items the Barnards use in their home each day have sound or voice.
“Everything we have at home, if it can, talks,” Alberta said.
Mike and Alberta came with their guide dogs, both black labs, named Webster and Loman. The dogs stayed close and behaved at all times, and the students asked many questions about the dogs.
Mike and Alberta have had to attend guide school for the dogs, including a four-week trip to California for Alberta. The dogs not only have to learn how to guide a person as a service dog, but also have to get used to their owner.
The class was very interested in the dogs and learned that they have bells on the dogs, so when in the house, Mike and Alberta can make sure the dogs aren’t getting into any trouble. It’s also very important to make sure to ask before petting a service dog.
They have both had multiple dogs during their lifetime, and much like humans, the dogs eventually are retired.
Mike said you’ll know when it’s time for a guide dog to retire because they show different tendencies, such as shaking or trembling during important situations, or forgetting certain things. Sometimes the behavior changes can be subtle.
They also noted that they’d rather retire a dog early than wait too long.
“They helped us,” Alberta said. “We look to help them, so we give them retirement a little early.”
With multiple dogs during their lifetime, neither Barnard said they could pick a favorite.
“It’s hard,” Mike said. “We both liked our first because they were our first. Each is like a person. They are all different. All are loveable. I may say this one is a clown, but he is sweet. He puts his head on you and loves you.”
Added Alberta: “They all have a way to win your heart.”
Besides the two dogs, the Barnards also have a cat, who Alberta said adopted the couple about three years ago when she came meowing at the back door of their home.
Mike and Alberta met about 15 years ago, at guide dog school. Before retiring, Mike worked at Amphenol in Sidney, first on the assembly line and later running and setting up a punch press. Alberta used to work with special needs adults.
At home, the couple shares chores, ranging from cooking to cleaning and fixing things. Mike said he grills and, over time, has learned the timing of his charcoal grilling, especially utilizing a thermometer that talks.
The Barnards also demonstrated and showed other items to the students, including a clip they put on a cup that whistles when it’s full so they don’t over pour something. They have talking clocks, as well as a small MP3-type player that takes a small memory cards for audio books.
“That’s how we listen to books,” Mike said.
When preparing meals, they utilize a scanner that reads a barcode and tells what the food it. If there’s no barcode, they get used to feeling certain boxes and such to know what the item is. When they have meat, Alberta vacuum seals packages and labels them.
When shopping, they have somebody with them who will help get the items they need.
As part of their own activities, the students had worked with trying to dress with the dress shirt, so there were questions about putting clothes on.
Mike noted they look for tags or a mark to note the front and back. You can usually feel what the item is and how to put it on, he said. There was also a question about tying shoes, and as Alberta explained that it’s something they have always done and know what to do by feel, she untied and tied her shoes for the class to see.
“All of these activities (the students did) and, most of all, the visit from the Barnards and their guide dogs, helped the kids relate to the story more and to have real-life experiences to add to the text that we are reading.” La Bare said.
The group received a visit from Sidney couple Mike and Alberta Barnard. The Barnards are blind and brought their service dogs to the classroom to answer questions and showed many ways they use technology and other ways to do daily chores.
The visit was inspired by the book La Bare’s class is currently reading, “Follow My Leader” by James Garfield.
The book follows Jimmy, who is blinded in an accident with a firecracker. He then has to relearn all the things he used to know. He’s helped by a determined therapist, who helps Jimmy learn to read Braille and how to use a cane. He eventually is given the change to have a guide dog, Leader. Over the past few weeks, the students have explored what it is like to be blind. They’ve been blindfolded and had to navigate through the classroom, attempt to put on a dress shirt and button it, and trying to get around the class to get a certain object while using clock times for their directions, said La Bare.
All of these things were also experienced by the book’s main character.
“As a culminating activity, we had the guide dogs and the Barnards come in to explain how they got their guide dogs and compare their experiences with Jimmy (from the book),” La Bare said.
The Barnards spent about an hour with the class on Halloween, showing different things they do each day and answering a slew of inquisitive questions from the class. They took students through a journey of learning what it’s like to live as a blind couple, and showed that, in some aspects, how they live is no different than any other person.
The couple began by using a Braille slate to write each student’s name on an index card, which allowed the students to have a keepsake of the visit. While doing it, they explained to the students that the slate was a way to take notes if they were out and about. In recent years, Mike also carries a mini-recorder to speak into and keep notes.
Many of the items the Barnards use in their home each day have sound or voice.
“Everything we have at home, if it can, talks,” Alberta said.
Mike and Alberta came with their guide dogs, both black labs, named Webster and Loman. The dogs stayed close and behaved at all times, and the students asked many questions about the dogs.
Mike and Alberta have had to attend guide school for the dogs, including a four-week trip to California for Alberta. The dogs not only have to learn how to guide a person as a service dog, but also have to get used to their owner.
The class was very interested in the dogs and learned that they have bells on the dogs, so when in the house, Mike and Alberta can make sure the dogs aren’t getting into any trouble. It’s also very important to make sure to ask before petting a service dog.
They have both had multiple dogs during their lifetime, and much like humans, the dogs eventually are retired.
Mike said you’ll know when it’s time for a guide dog to retire because they show different tendencies, such as shaking or trembling during important situations, or forgetting certain things. Sometimes the behavior changes can be subtle.
They also noted that they’d rather retire a dog early than wait too long. “They helped us,” Alberta said. “We look to help them, so we give them retirement a little early.”
With multiple dogs during their lifetime, neither Barnard said they could pick a favorite.
“It’s hard,” Mike said. “We both liked our first because they were our first. Each is like a person. They are all different. All are loveable. I may say this one is a clown, but he is sweet. He puts his head on you and loves you.”
Added Alberta: “They all have a way to win your heart.”
Besides the two dogs, the Barnards also have a cat, who Alberta said adopted the couple about three years ago when she came meowing at the back door of their home.
Mike and Alberta met about 15 years ago, at guide dog school. Before retiring, Mike worked at Amphenol in Sidney, first on the assembly line and later running and setting up a punch press. Alberta used to work with special needs adults.
At home, the couple shares chores, ranging from cooking to cleaning and fixing things. Mike said he grills and, over time, has learned the timing of his charcoal grilling, especially utilizing a thermometer that talks.
The Barnards also demonstrated and showed other items to the students, including a clip they put on a cup that whistles when it’s full so they don’t over pour something. They have talking clocks, as well as a small MP3-type player that takes a small memory cards for audio books.
“That’s how we listen to books,” Mike said.
When preparing meals, they utilize a scanner that reads a barcode and tells what the food it. If there’s no barcode, they get used to feeling certain boxes and such to know what the item is. When they have meat, Alberta vacuum seals packages and labels them.
When shopping, they have somebody with them who will help get the items they need.
As part of their own activities, the students had worked with trying to dress with the dress shirt, so there were questions about putting clothes on.
Mike noted they look for tags or a mark to note the front and back. You can usually feel what the item is and how to put it on, he said. There was also a question about tying shoes, and as Alberta explained that it’s something they have always done and know what to do by feel, she untied and tied her shoes for the class to see.
“All of these activities (the students did) and, most of all, the visit from the Barnards and their guide dogs, helped the kids relate to the story more and to have real-life experiences to add to the text that we are reading.” La Bare said.