Sunday, December 12, 1999
Teen wants to carry Braille keyboard
BY REON CARTER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Corey Newell need a Braille Lite like this one at Clovernook Center for the Blind.
(Saed Hindash photo)
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Corey Newell's days are filled with activity. The 17-year-old Aiken High School student is blind and mentally and hearing impaired. He particularly enjoys his job at Clovernook Center for the Blind in College Hill, where he works on contract manufacturing and inventory-type projects that include counting screws or creasing file folders.
He takes pride in earning a paycheck and has been described as “a smart shopper,” who likes to acquire practical items such as sweat suits or gloves for chilly days.
However, his family's income can't cover the cost of acquiring a much-needed Braille Lite 2000, a portable device with a Braille keyboard. It would greatly improve his way of life and enhance his independence at school, work and home by allowing him to take notes, do homework, compile to-do lists and store addresses and phone numbers of family and friends. His teachers would be able to review information through speech output and Corey could retrieve information through a Braille display.
Barbara Newell, Corey's mother, says his disabilities were the result of his premature birth.
“He was born weighing about two pounds, then he dropped down to one pound,” she says. “He had to stay in the hospital for six months, but even after he came home, the problems continued for years. He had two surgeries for detached retinas and has struggled with severe cataracts.”
Despite his health problems, Ms. Newell says “Corey has a great personality and he loves people.”
For fun, the Avondale teen loves to dance and tune into music videos on television.
“He feels the vibrations,” says Ms. Newell. “He's created his own routine that he likes to perform with his younger brother and he knows just about every rap song that comes on.”
Introduction to the Wish List
Use this coupon
How the Wish List works
Their wishes came true: 1998 recipients
Blind college student needs devices, special software
Computer could help mother help her children
Computer would offer gift of voice
Dentures key to renewed strength
Device would help toddler stand
Equipment could ease communication for palsy patients
Home needs to be wheelchair equipped
Hospital bed can add to independence
Ky. man's smile might shine more brightly
Lift chair can make standing easier
Mom needs a safe place to sleep for her daughter
Reading machine would open world
Scooter would give Avondale man new freedom
Single father of two ill children needs appliances, furniture
Stairs, dryer would ease mother's load
Teen wants to carry Braille keyboard
Toddler needs special chair to sit up
Transmitter would help boy to hear
Treatment would end her isolation
Wooden Ramp could help Pleasant Ridge man
