Kansas’ only qualifier for the National Braille Challenge placed fourth in his division during the contest, held late last month in Los Angeles.
Charlie Wilks, who turned 12 on June 6, was the subject of a feature story in The Gazette after he became one of 60 children who qualified for the contest nationally.
“Charlie did well,” said Eve Ott, a paraprofessional who has worked with Charlie for years in the Emporia school district. “In his words, ‘I would have had fourth prize, if there were a fourth prize.’”
Monetary awards were given for the top three finishers in his age group, and Charlie was given a certificate of recognition.
“And if I know our Charlie, and I think I do, he will place next year,” Ott said.
Charlie now is in Colorado to spend a month at a life-skills camp run by blind staff for blind youngsters.
“He will practice skills in cooking, housekeeping, wardrobe management, personal hygiene, money management,” Ott said. “In short, begin to develop the skills that will enable him to live independently some day.”
Charlie’s mother, Jennifer Cunningham, managed to get him into the camp, Ott said.
“Possibly one of the biggest benefits will be witnessing blind adults in leadership positions and forming friendships with other blind young people,” she said.
Before going to Los Angeles, Charlie spent about two weeks at the Kansas School for the Blind in Kansas City for technology training.
Charlie has been blind since he was 5 years old, after a brain tumor went undiagnosed for several months. After he was referred to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., surgeons removed 90 percent of the baseball-sized tumor and he was left permanently blind.
He operated a lemonade stand in June to raise money for expenses not covered for his Los Angeles trip.
DeniseDorcey (anonymous) says...
Congratulations, Charlie! Jack and I are excited for you. We sure hope you plan to return to the Braille Challenge next year. Have a safe return to Emporia!!!
July 18, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )