Braille Challengeā¢ Testimonial Letter
Dear Dr. Amato,
Hello, my name is Caitlin Lynch and I am currently a sophomore at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. I am studying English and Secondary Education and I graduated in 2006 from Smithtown High School West on Long Island. I am also totally blind and I am a past Braille Challengeā¢ contestant.
I was very excited when I learned what East Meadow was doing. When I competed in The Braille Challengeā¢ in 2005 and 2006, I had to take the contest with my TVI in my high school. Both times I took the preliminary contest, I scored in the top twelve for my grade level and advanced on to the final round of competition in Los Angeles. I never placed, but the experience of being surrounded by so many of my braille reading peers was phenomenal. Braille Institute is a great organization and The Braille Challengeā¢ is a great motivator for kids to continue their studies in the language of braille.
I am writing you this letter to tell you that I think you’re giving kids on Long Island a great opportunity. I would also like to extend a helping hand, if it is needed, and offer my services. I would love to be a part of this project you’re undertaking in whatever way you need. The Braille Challengeā¢ is a great program and I would like to do my part to help make your regional contest as successful is it can be. I’ve already recommended the program to some of the children I taught in the Camp Helen Keller summer camp and was elated to find that this regional gathering was occurring so they could be granted with the same opportunity to compete as I was.
The Braille Challengeā¢ empowers blind children to learn and is a program that should be spread throughout this country. I know what an effect it had on me, and I’m so glad that other Long Island students will be granted the opportunity to participate on a broader scale. Please feel free to contact me if you can think of any way in which you might need my services. I would love to help in whatever way I can.
Thank you for your time and for undertaking such a worthwhile cause. I can honestly say that The Braille Challengeā¢ is something no blind child forgets.
Sincerely Yours,
Caitlin Lynch