| Laurel Jean is pictured
here, at age seven, reading from her first Braille Bible, presented to
her by the Lakewood United Methodist Church of Lakewood, IL. "I grew
up thinking that every blind person had the supportive family and community
that I had, and the same opportunities to learn to read and hear the Gospel,"
she says. "It was not until I began presenting on the professional level
that I realized this not to be true."
It is because of this realization,
and the inspiration of the supportive people in her own life, that Laurel
Jean is committed to serve as an ambassador between blind and sighted individuals.
"Most of my presentations are not necessarily blindness related, " she
continues. "but each offers a unique opportunity to educate, if only by
example."
A determined advocate for
Braille Literacy and Awareness, she incorporates into her programs the
reading of her Braille Bible, and the sharing of her own humorous, educational
anecdotes.
In church settings, while
presenting programs for Worship, Laurel Jean is often asked to deliver
the Children's Message, and to speak to all ages of Sunday School classes,
sharing, answering questions, and demonstrating Braille. People of
all ages enjoy seeing their names in Braille, as well as the Braille alphabet,
and having the opportunity to ask questions about how blind people accomplish
things that are sometimes taken for granted by those who can see.
In public and private schools,
Laurel Jean customizes for all ages, programs which combine music with
lighthearted sensitivity and awareness workshops. During these classroom
visits or school assemblies, students receive Braille alphabet cards, their
names in Braille, and lots of time for questions and answers. "I
hope that when children leave my presentations, they have a new understanding
of and appreciation for not only blindness and Braille, but their own literacy
and learning as well," Laurel Jean says.
Laurel Jean and her organization
are also available to provide consultation, coaching and workshops for
blind or visually impaired individuals, their teachers, families and colleagues.
These services address posture, presentation, etc., as well as goals and
the availability of resources (including Braille music and Christian literature).
You are invited to prayerfully
support Laurel Jean and her mission by scheduling one of her programs or
by purchasing her recorded music. A portion of all proceeds from
bookings and album sales is dedicated to the promotion of Braille literacy
and the provision of Christian material in Braille. Other direct
financial contributions are sincerely appreciated, but are not tax deductible.
The following Christian Braille
producers are supported by Laurel Jean:
Assemblies of God, National Center for
the Blind
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 831-1964
http://blind.ag.org
Braille Bibles International
PO Box 378, Liberty, MO 64069
(800) 52-BIBLE
http://braillebibles.org
Christian Record Services, Inc.
and National Camps for Blind Children
4444 South 52nd Street
Lincoln NE 68516-1302
USA
or
PO Box 6097
Lincoln NE 68506-0097
USA
Phone: 402.488.0981
Fax: 402.488.7582
Web site: http://www.christianrecord.org
Lutheran Blind Mission
7550 Watson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119-4409
(888) 215-2455
http://blindmission.org
Xavier Society for the Blind
154 E. 23rd St., New York, NY 10010-4595
(800) 637-9193
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