My First National Convention By Ixchell Laraurri

Origionally published in the Spring 2009 edition of the Vigilant

I had a wonderful time at my first convention.  I learned how to deal with my blindness a lot better.  I saw other children who were blind and how they were dealing with it,  this helped me with my feelings.

I saw children and adults using their canes and now I don’t feel bad about using mine.

I no longer feel alone.  I used to feel like I was all alone, the only one who was blind, now I don’t.

Going to the National Convention helped me be more independent with my cane and feel a lot more confident.  Now when I go places I do more by myself and not be so dependent on my mom.  I am looking forward to going again next year.

Having mentors helped me a lot.  They showed me different techniques that they knew and other stuff that really helped.  They helped me get the most out of the convention by making sure I got to different meetings and they helped me in the exhibit hall too.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me and my NFBV family for sending me and my mom to the convention.

Ixchell Laraurri was a 2008 McDonald Fellowship winner