The students come from 24 school districts in Western Kentucky. Students with a vision disability in kindergarten through high school are invited to participate, and parents are also invited to join in the experience. The students' eye conditions vary, but in Kentucky, a student with 20/70 vision or worse is considered visually impaired. Many are legally blind or have vision 20/200.
Robbin Cox, the Kentucky School for the Blind’s Outreach Consultant for the western region says, “I want these students to know what is in their own “backyard.” The Ohio River is such an important part of our region and they need to know that. Many of the students have optical devices that will help them access print in the museum.”
Also joining in the experience is John Pollpeter, Lead Naturalist for Woodlands Nature Station and Land Between the Lakes, and is legally blind with Retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease. Pollpeter, who grew up in Iowa says “as a high school student dealing with the loss of my eyesight, meeting others that have similar issues was a huge boost to my spirit. It was important to see professionals working through their disability and accomplishing their life goals.” Pollpeter plans to bring and talk about river animals as his theme is that in nature you don't have to have great eyesight to be successful. All the animals he brings will relate to that theme. Pollpeter will also weave in messages of his story where he struggled to accept his condition and floundered, but found resources available to him and had to do things just a little bit differently, “I succeeded in making a disadvantage an advantage. I was able to follow my dream despite my condition,” Pollpeter says.
A big part of the day will be social interaction as many of the students are the only one in their district with a vision disability and when they participate in Visionary Day, they learn there are other students just like them and many friendships are made.
Julie Harris, Executive Director of the River Discovery Center says, “We are really excited to have these students visit the Center and have the opportunity to learn and experience the importance of our rivers.”
Julie Harris, Executive Director of the River Discovery Center says, “We are really excited to have these students visit the Center and have the opportunity to learn and experience the importance of our rivers.”
Visit the River Discovery Center at 117 South Water St. in downtown Paducah, or go to the website at www.riverdiscoverycenter.org.
