Reins visually impaired space camp
Donation protected
Rein is our 16 year old son, who has been invited to attend a space training academy for the visually impaired, in Huntsville Alabama, at the end of september 2016.
Rein was born with congenital stationary nightblindness, photophobic. No this is not scared of pictures being taken :) , but is when you cannot see in bright sunlight. Rein also has Nystagmus, a condition which causes his eyes to move erratically and continuously. He is legally blind with reading vision at about 3 - 4 inches. He has embraced his abilities and manages his vision with lots of humor and determination.
He is currently volenteering at a summer bible camp for kids and families, doing dishes, chores, camp maintenance and helping a whole lot of children play. He has volenteered to be there for seven weeks this summer. Rein is very smart, musical and an amazing artist . He loves being in the water where he can explore without the boundries of obsticals to run into or trip on. He is an avid reader, and spends his time continually learning anything!!!
This is a huge step out for us as a family as he moves forward, fighting anxioty and the unknown. He is couragious in stepping forward into a world that is beyond his vision, but not his dreams, of being independant and successful in the working world.
He continually works Very hard to keep up academically, and to do what all his peer and friends are doing. This spring he purchased his own skateboard and is braving the next few feet in front of him! (moms not going to watch as riding a bike didnt go so well!)
He will be acompanied by his Vision Teacher for the full trip, venturing into the world of finding his way through airports, hotels etc and learning how to travel on his own, without sight in our busy world.
Once at the camp he will be attending and training at the Underwater Astronaut Training Acadamy at the U.S. Space and Rocket centre in Huntsville Alabama. He will train in the neutral bouyancy simulator (underwater) like those used by astronauts and design engeneers at NASA , for neutral bouyancy/microgravity simulations, that allow practicing for astronauts to practice on earth, missions that they will do in space.
This is provided by the U.S. Space and Rocket center in Huntsville Al.
This program can open a whole world of experience, encouragement and independance for Rein.
There are many avenues he could take through the other programs also offered there for the visually impaired, such as arospace design, through all the science programs they offer and teach.
This will also give Rein an opportunity to mentor and lead, vision impaired teens in our school district, and may acompany them on future trips to the space acadamy.
Rein is the youngest of four brothers, treated just like the rest, and grown to be hardworking, smart and independent. As parents, we are very proud of Rein as he is a faithful, talented young man with a wonderful life ahead of him. We would be greatful for your help, as this is a opportunity for him , offered to only some kids with his disability, and his amazing abilitys, to help him in his future schooling, career and life skills.
Sincerley
Mark and Shelley Fichtner
Rein was born with congenital stationary nightblindness, photophobic. No this is not scared of pictures being taken :) , but is when you cannot see in bright sunlight. Rein also has Nystagmus, a condition which causes his eyes to move erratically and continuously. He is legally blind with reading vision at about 3 - 4 inches. He has embraced his abilities and manages his vision with lots of humor and determination.
He is currently volenteering at a summer bible camp for kids and families, doing dishes, chores, camp maintenance and helping a whole lot of children play. He has volenteered to be there for seven weeks this summer. Rein is very smart, musical and an amazing artist . He loves being in the water where he can explore without the boundries of obsticals to run into or trip on. He is an avid reader, and spends his time continually learning anything!!!
This is a huge step out for us as a family as he moves forward, fighting anxioty and the unknown. He is couragious in stepping forward into a world that is beyond his vision, but not his dreams, of being independant and successful in the working world.
He continually works Very hard to keep up academically, and to do what all his peer and friends are doing. This spring he purchased his own skateboard and is braving the next few feet in front of him! (moms not going to watch as riding a bike didnt go so well!)
He will be acompanied by his Vision Teacher for the full trip, venturing into the world of finding his way through airports, hotels etc and learning how to travel on his own, without sight in our busy world.
Once at the camp he will be attending and training at the Underwater Astronaut Training Acadamy at the U.S. Space and Rocket centre in Huntsville Alabama. He will train in the neutral bouyancy simulator (underwater) like those used by astronauts and design engeneers at NASA , for neutral bouyancy/microgravity simulations, that allow practicing for astronauts to practice on earth, missions that they will do in space.
This is provided by the U.S. Space and Rocket center in Huntsville Al.
This program can open a whole world of experience, encouragement and independance for Rein.
There are many avenues he could take through the other programs also offered there for the visually impaired, such as arospace design, through all the science programs they offer and teach.
This will also give Rein an opportunity to mentor and lead, vision impaired teens in our school district, and may acompany them on future trips to the space acadamy.
Rein is the youngest of four brothers, treated just like the rest, and grown to be hardworking, smart and independent. As parents, we are very proud of Rein as he is a faithful, talented young man with a wonderful life ahead of him. We would be greatful for your help, as this is a opportunity for him , offered to only some kids with his disability, and his amazing abilitys, to help him in his future schooling, career and life skills.
Sincerley
Mark and Shelley Fichtner
Organizer
Shelley Mark Fichtner
Organizer
Coldstream, BC