Summer Picnic for Survive or Thrive (SOT) for the Visually Impaired
Saturday, August 9, 2014 | Los Angeles, CA – What an honor it was to be invited to participate in an afternoon of fun and excitement, enlightenment, and great company at the annual summer BBQ picnic for Survive or Thrive (SOT) for the Visually Impaired. It is important to note that the students in the photo are not just individuals who happen to be visually impaired, but they are talented young people beyond measure who are also aspiring neuroscientists, journalists, educators, and much, much more.
In particular, one of the lead organizers of SOT, Karen Arcos, is one of my students and scholar participants in the 10-week McNair Scholars Program I instructed at USC this past summer. So naturally, I was humbled to receive an invite as one of a few sighted persons in attendance. One of the most memorable games I really enjoyed was playing soccer blindfolded, on my knees, and being keenly aware of the ball beeping as it rolled around between opposing teams.
Overall, it was such an honor to work with and mentor Karen to inspire and motivate her and her peers to apply for their advanced degrees, from MA to the PhD this past summer in McNair. Likewise, I am very interested in expanding the outreach of my programs and professional development to assist other visually impaired students — from partially to fully blind — across the country in the same vain. Ideally, I’d also like to solicit other educators to assist me in these efforts to mentor more students like Karen and the members of SOT, who are truly gifted for all that they bring to the table.
To learn more about Survive or Thrive (SOT) or to get involved, please considering supporting their efforts. The links to their YouTube channel and Facebook page are below.
SURVIVE OR THRIVE | YOUTUBE CHANNEL
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSurviveorThrive?feature=mhee
SURVIVE OR THRIVE | FACEBOOK PAGE
