Local boy makes Braille Challenge finals

By Mary Smith

A McDonald boy challenges his disability with education and hard work.

McDONALD — Michael Davidson, 11, has been selected to attend the final round of the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles.

The contest, June 27-28, will include only 60 other pupils from the U.S. and Canada and is sponsored by the National Program of the Braille Institute, Los Angeles.

Michael, the son of Lisa Davidson of McDonald and Michael Davidson of Girard, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Norries Syndrome, which is characterized by blindness at birth. Michael can see colors and shadows.

A Roosevelt Elementary School sixth-grader this year, Michael, 11, will advance to seventh grade at McDonald High School next year. Michael is in all regular classes at the school. He has a tutor, Sue Drewette, who has been with him since preschool.

Drewette also has trained him how to use a cane to walk on city streets and how to cross intersections.

“We definitely owe a lot to the McDonald Schools and the school board and Sue Drewette,” the couple said.

“Michael has entered the Braille Challenge for the past three years, but this is the first year he has been chosen as a finalist. I am really proud of Michael,” Drewette said.

The Braille Challenge organizers sent Michael’s test packet to Drewette, and she administered the test to him.

The completed tests were sent back to the contest officials, who reviewed them and determined the McDonald boy’s results.

The test includes reading and writing in Braille, proofreading, finding mistakes and spelling in Braille.

She noted that Braille is based on dots, and learning to use Braille makes it possible for a vision-impaired person to read and write.

Michael explained there are 188 symbols.

The challenge competition began in 2000 in Anaheim, Calif., as a regional competition. Today, hundreds of blind students from all over the U.S. and Canada participate in the academic competition to get to the finals.

Michael and his parents have been invited to attend the contest. There are only two other Ohio students who will participate.

Prizes include U.S. Savings Bonds ranging in value from $1,000 to $5,000.

According to contest literature, the challenge was created to motivate blind students to continue their study of Braille and to promote Braille literacy for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Carol Augustine, school nurse, said fundraising is under way to help cover the cost of going to the competition.

Mrs. Davidson said school Superintendent Michael Wasser told her that donations have reached $3,300, which will allow Michael and his parents to fly to the contest, stay an extra day, and have spending money.

Any other donations can be made by calling Augustine at Roosevelt or the superintendent’s office.