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It Has Been Too Long, No?
Mar. 1st, 2009 12:19 amThursday
Jim and I were dropped off at the Holiday Inn in Naperville for the FreshAER conference. It seemed like so many people I knew were there. I met up with Jenine Stanley who represented GDF and had a booth. You wouldn't believe all of the dogs I've seen. There had to be at least 20 to 30. I saw a boxer, a few shepherds, labs, crosses of sorts, and believe it or not, Jim was the only lab/poodle cross. Everyone was all over him asking me questions and adoring him. Most people were like "is that a schnauzer?" or "is that a terrier mix?" I guess I was proud to say what was going on. For the most part, I was happy to talk to everyone. My boy was a good dog and he only got distracted a couple times. I didn't have to correct him that much. He was a little distracted by the other dogs, but he behaved himself. I met up with Mr. Thompson who I haven't seen in 8 years. He treated me to dinner. It was amazing..... I should keep that restaurant in my memory in case I am in Naperville again. After dinner, I went to Mr. T's room to play with all of the cool technology he had. He brought a Trekker, Trekker Breeze, Voice Sense, MileStone, Victor Stream, and other cool toys. I got to use each one of them. He was giving a presentation in the morning. It was 10 PM, he walked me to my room. Adam arrived at almost 11 PM. We had a nice night together in a nice hotel room with a king size bed. For those who are curious, no, nothing happened.
Friday
Adam and I were up early. We went to the presentation about technology given by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Dugan. It was really nice to hear him speak again. There was a snack break. I talked to two of my vision teachers who I met at the conference and a friend who I haven't seen because he attends ISU AKA Illinois State. Everyone complimented Jim and how great he was. Good thing I gave him a bath on Wednesday night... I was beaming... It was amazing... We then went upstairs and packed up our room. I met up with Jenine again and we traded our goodbyes. She is such a great individual. After all of that, I went into my last session: TVIs: Current Trends and News. It was informative, but I was so tired, I was half falling asleep. It was finally over and Adam and I left. I literally came home and fell asleep.
Saturday
Adam and his father picked me up early. We drove to Alpine Valley Ski and Snowboard resort. I brought my snowboard and boots. I left Jim home for the day. The first couple hours, Adam spent with me, there wasn't much progress for the snowboarding. We went inside for a break. Adam and his father ate lunch. Adam switched from snowboard to skis and joined his father. I spent another 2 hours on the hill with not much success. This time, however, I was alone. I went back inside and Adam met up with me. Adam's father joined us. I ate something quick and we returned outside. This time, Adam's father was with me. He took some pictures. Then - he taught me how to snowboard. I didn't see that coming. But I do have to say, Adam's dad is a much better teacher than Adam. I was parallel and perpendicular boarding!!! We were practically at the top of the slope. It was awesome because he was so intuitive to my vision impairment. He slowly introduced me to how a slope feels under a snowboard and then we continued from there. I went up and down the slope many times with Lou, Mr. Vannatta. He was great and very patient. Before he helped me, I was falling almost every six inches. I went many runs without falling. We got home at around 7 PM. I am exhausted, but SO thankful that someone was actually patient enough to help me. I must say, it's not impossible for visually impaired people to snowboard. Indeed, I admit I was scared, but I am more confident now.
Jim and I were dropped off at the Holiday Inn in Naperville for the FreshAER conference. It seemed like so many people I knew were there. I met up with Jenine Stanley who represented GDF and had a booth. You wouldn't believe all of the dogs I've seen. There had to be at least 20 to 30. I saw a boxer, a few shepherds, labs, crosses of sorts, and believe it or not, Jim was the only lab/poodle cross. Everyone was all over him asking me questions and adoring him. Most people were like "is that a schnauzer?" or "is that a terrier mix?" I guess I was proud to say what was going on. For the most part, I was happy to talk to everyone. My boy was a good dog and he only got distracted a couple times. I didn't have to correct him that much. He was a little distracted by the other dogs, but he behaved himself. I met up with Mr. Thompson who I haven't seen in 8 years. He treated me to dinner. It was amazing..... I should keep that restaurant in my memory in case I am in Naperville again. After dinner, I went to Mr. T's room to play with all of the cool technology he had. He brought a Trekker, Trekker Breeze, Voice Sense, MileStone, Victor Stream, and other cool toys. I got to use each one of them. He was giving a presentation in the morning. It was 10 PM, he walked me to my room. Adam arrived at almost 11 PM. We had a nice night together in a nice hotel room with a king size bed. For those who are curious, no, nothing happened.
Friday
Adam and I were up early. We went to the presentation about technology given by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Dugan. It was really nice to hear him speak again. There was a snack break. I talked to two of my vision teachers who I met at the conference and a friend who I haven't seen because he attends ISU AKA Illinois State. Everyone complimented Jim and how great he was. Good thing I gave him a bath on Wednesday night... I was beaming... It was amazing... We then went upstairs and packed up our room. I met up with Jenine again and we traded our goodbyes. She is such a great individual. After all of that, I went into my last session: TVIs: Current Trends and News. It was informative, but I was so tired, I was half falling asleep. It was finally over and Adam and I left. I literally came home and fell asleep.
Saturday
Adam and his father picked me up early. We drove to Alpine Valley Ski and Snowboard resort. I brought my snowboard and boots. I left Jim home for the day. The first couple hours, Adam spent with me, there wasn't much progress for the snowboarding. We went inside for a break. Adam and his father ate lunch. Adam switched from snowboard to skis and joined his father. I spent another 2 hours on the hill with not much success. This time, however, I was alone. I went back inside and Adam met up with me. Adam's father joined us. I ate something quick and we returned outside. This time, Adam's father was with me. He took some pictures. Then - he taught me how to snowboard. I didn't see that coming. But I do have to say, Adam's dad is a much better teacher than Adam. I was parallel and perpendicular boarding!!! We were practically at the top of the slope. It was awesome because he was so intuitive to my vision impairment. He slowly introduced me to how a slope feels under a snowboard and then we continued from there. I went up and down the slope many times with Lou, Mr. Vannatta. He was great and very patient. Before he helped me, I was falling almost every six inches. I went many runs without falling. We got home at around 7 PM. I am exhausted, but SO thankful that someone was actually patient enough to help me. I must say, it's not impossible for visually impaired people to snowboard. Indeed, I admit I was scared, but I am more confident now.
