My Experience at a School for the Blind... (emotional ending)

[@MollyBurkeOfficial]

What questions do you have for me about going to the school for the blind? Would you like more story time videos about my experience? For another story time, watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnXFc42kgcSVmpI

[@thepinksilhouette3076]

Where the teachers blind too? Where the teacher kind?

[@niabarley4615]

What were the teachers like?

[@yaraali3853]

i’ve watched u for a few years and have learnt so much about blindness :) keep going xx

[@ellatasch6455]

I love story time! I get cuddled up in a blanket grab some chips and watch...I love story time too much!😊

[@emilykozak7249]

Did a lot of People Have guide Dogs???

[@annakobulnicky]

Anyone else want to hear the story of Miss Teen Canada?

[@manifestationsofasort]

Yes!!

[@gingerslife4856]

Of course

[@timetravelingjukebox]

Yes 🤩

[@Aisling88]

Yes, but mostly because the adult version of the pageant was such a hot mess so I want to know if the teen one was the same. 👀

[@Aceamzing]

She always mention but haa yet to spill haha

[@soybeanokra]

so smart that the sticker is on the bottom so you don’t have to try to align it on the side of the bottle with the camera!

[@kennie727]

And the stickers are guaranteed not to get mixed up like they would if they were on the lids! I hope more places consider doing this, or that ‘big pharma’ makes this a packaging norm.

[@LisaDonaldson246]

Totally agree with that 😊👍

[@gilayuval8553]

Yeah, I mean that’s why it’s so important to ask blind people what they should do when creating these things because to them it’s not even smart, it’s just.. what works

[@19RockLover98]

@@kennie727 as an OT, this would be a major step towards universal design! It would be amazing too for our aging population who experience a wide variety of vision disorders!

[@OG_Coleslaw]

Idk why but I didnt even think bullying would really be a thing in a school for the blind. Im intrigued to hear about that.

[@sandysani6045]

Me too, I didn't think there would be anything like that.... So terrible!

[@mollymillar3040]

There's always bullies anywhere you go. I am legally blind and was in a program that met up over the weekend monthly and there was also a camp. There's always a food chain.

[@TheKv87]

kids get bullied for much more than just there appearance....kids can be cruel....kids bully anyone who is different and in that school the only thing those kids have in common is being blind and even that isn't the same they all have different amounts of vision loss....so I'm sure they could bully kids who are less wealthy or maybe not good at something....or even make fun of a person's name or how they speak and some of these kids would be able to see enough to bully kids based on appearance....

[@OG_Coleslaw]

I know bullies are everywhere and that blind and visually impaired people are the same as sighted people their eyes just don't work. Just for some reason when she said that it kind of took me by surprise.

[@mollymillar3040]

Like I'm 20/200 and the people who were more blind thought they were cooler. Mainly the girls. The guys were pretty nice.

[@rebeccah2662]

Sometimes I wish I went to a school for the blind, I’m legally blind and regular school was unbelievably hard

[@sandysani6045]

Dear Rebecca, I just wanted to send you a virtual hug of solidarity. Hope you are healing from the pain of the past. Wishing you all the best, with health and safety. Kind wishes, best regards. Sandy.

[@EmelyPhan]

Don'tsome people who are legally blind wear glasses

[@hollylindauer1678]

@@EmelyPhan Legally blind means your vision cannot be corrected with glasses! Most of the population of blindness is legally blind and not 100% blind.

[@ravenroxful]

Yeah, I'm legally blind too, but my biggest issue was assigned seats. I liked sitting in the front of the class, so I could see, but assigned seats always placed me in the back. Made it so difficult to see anything on the board and I was socially anxious to voice my struggles to the teacher.

[@mollymillar3040]

Same but the blind school near me did not have regular academics.

[@calliejones3680]

She started off laughing and ending crying. Perfect representation of my life

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

Felt that.

[@savannahking544]

Or if 2020

[@just_lemme_sleep6377]

Oof I feel ya

[@Testaccount-zw7dw]

My life is crying and laughing at the same time. *Shrug*

[@annakobulnicky]

"I was one of those sprinklings of blindness." -Molly 2020

[@lindseydarby7642]

Molly! I JUST saw a FB ad for a Braille smart watch called Dot! That would be a GREAT review video for you to do!!!!!!

[@lorelikesthings]

Lindsey Raby omg that sounds so frickin cool!

[@katiehotchkiss3225]

Yes!!! I saw this too

[@layne4820]

I just looked this up. It seems amazing!!! I’d love to see a review of this watch

[@KathrynSrce3719]

I think you should write this suggestion under her pinned comment since she said it would be easier for her to find it there. This is a great suggestion and I'd love to see a review on this product as well and hear her opinions about it.

[@Linnie-zd1wk]

This is great insight for me because I am currently talking to my 6 year old daughter’s school district about sending her to the School for the Deaf.

[@jakeraphael4507]

Hope she gets in 🤞

[@wanupgirl]

I hope you find the right match.

[@tiffprendergast]

Good luck 🍀👍

[@Kodythecosplayer2530]

I'm praying for you 🙏🍀

[@maddycook6132]

I’m currently going to the blind shcool that you just talked about!! I’ve been there since Grade 1 and now I’m in grade 12. This shcool has really changed my life. 😊

[@curiousfirely]

Woo!! I grew up right by your school, and loved walking by the beautiful campus!

[@rubiberenice4699]

This a nice comment,but I just wanted to tell you should be careful with saying the school you attend to on the internet

[@maddycook6132]

@@rubiberenice4699 alright thanks for letting me know :) but I never said the shcools actual name though?

[@maddycook6132]

@@curiousfirely that’s awesome 😎

[@shelbys4970]

My boyfriends mum works at this school as well! Such an amazing place!

[@cassidylivengood4080]

PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS COMMENT TO MOLLY - I work in a university dining hall, I am an able bodied person and I want to thank you so much for making this channel. Today a blind woman came in to eat and they asked me to help her with her tray. Because of what I've learned watching you, I felt comfortable asking if she wanted me to guide her and I knew what to do and what to expect. So thank you for informing me, and through that allowing me to help her ❤❤❤❤

[@Galaxia_Moon]

You are so kind!

[@RonaRamon]

As a mom to a disabled child, this really touched me. My son is now going to an after school program with other disabled kids and it was life changing for him and us. He felt understood...

[@eleanorwait6311]

Also went to a school for the blind - we called it the Braille jail. It was terrible and the worst time of my life

[@hanneehallem3000]

Oh no!

[@sandysani6045]

Dear Eleanor, wishing you all the best and hope you can heal from that terrible experience. Sending you kind wishes and strength and courage. Stay safe and secure. Be as happy as you possibly can.

[@lijntje266]

What made it the worst time?

[@jlc1833]

Why was it so bad?

[@janeann3331]

Where was it at?

[@kiliesmom]

I want all the stories! Bullying at the School for the Blind, Miss Teen Canada, breaking up with the boy, all of it! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!

[@JennaGetsCreative]

Junior and senior kindergarten isn't even a Canadian thing, it's an Ontario thing.

[@ronnie-lynn]

Yes I just commented I’m from west coast Alberta and there’s just kindergarten.

[@Catlandian]

Ontario = Canadian - well at least to Torontonians.

[@Kale_20]

Yup I’m from Quebec and I was like what does she mean? 🤨

[@katzsparkly8324]

I’m from the states and my grade school had jr and sr kindergarten when I went there, when my son went they had pre-school 3, 4 and then kindergarten.

[@helenakathedollyworldunive835]

@@Kale_20 I know right! English or french school in quebec?

[@rocket2076]

Hey molly! I was wondering if you could make a video about the history of the word “handicapped”? You mentioned it in a earlier video, and I would love to hear about it from you!

[@tabithacardinal4069]

I would love to see that video too because I looked it up recently and found both versions she mentioned. One of them doesn't sound offensive at all and says that the begger version is not the origin of handicapped.

[@Zzabin]

I don't know if it helps, but she talked about the word "handicapped" in this video: : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp-blWyLat2FqNE&ab_channel=MollyBurke (6:46)

[@alicechristopher204]

Yes I need that my uncle is paralyzed so I would like to know

[@stellasdoesstuff]

In case you haven't seen it yet (or someone else sees this comment who hasn't seen it), she posted a video about that a couple days ago!

[@jilliancatherine4122]

I was able to contribute to my class's discussion on disability because of Molly, so thanks for helping me get those points girl!

[@august1837]

I’ve been to four schools throughout my education life. I’m still in the forth, high school. In all of them, I was the first blind student to ever attend the school. You could probably imagine how great their resources were.

[@queen_beauty5711]

Your hair is so perfectly slicked back into that bun that it looks a little bit like you shaved your head and honestly I'm here for it!!!! You would look ICONIC with a shaved head!!!

[@_zoeyshaa_]

Lol that’s what I thought too she looks amazing every video (HOW?)

[@kthx_bai]

She would never lol 😂

[@jemhams]

Agreed! Molly could probably pull off any hairstyle, what a freaking icon

[@erinn_nnire]

I had to look twice 👀

[@debracox9277]

I totally agree. I trolled comments to see if anyone else thought the same.

[@tweedythe9131]

I have a friend in school who is blind and I’m so glad that everyone treats his with respect and care.

[@מריםגרסון]

How I wish there was someone like you around when I was growing up . I was the only legally blind student in my school in the 70's and I was bullied from 6th to 9th grade . Nobody understood what I was going through or knew how to help me . I thank God I got through it and am now a physiotherapist mother of 3 amazing daughters . Love your content about blind issues . You are great and so inspiring ❤

[@florescentj3879]

I went to the school for the blind in New York City. I have mixed emotions. I love the fact that I had the chance to compete in sports and actually play on teams. Swimming and Track was my thing.

[@BrooklynJewel]

Dear molly I know this isn't a question but I just wanted you to know that you are huge inspiration to me. I also want to self advocate when I get older too. Your videos help me know that I'm not alone and know that it's ok to be blind or in my case legally blind because at least I'm ok and here.

[@GardensLadyBug]

Molly, I found you years back when I was legally blind from cataracts. I was finally able to get assistance with cataract surgery. My vision wasn't the best but it was wonderful to see again. I'm going blind again. I remembered how your courage and energy pulled me through so I looked up your channel and watched a number of your videos yesterday. Today, two minutes into this video, I'm calling my Walmart pharmacy and telling them what I learned from you and asking if they offer something like it. They do offer a similar program at their super centers. If your phone is too old or you don't have the right kind, they will send you a plug in reader, cost free. I'll be able to pour my own pills again. Thank you so much!!! I'm going to finish watching this now. 🥰👍

[@broughtontaylor8142]

Hi molly! Thank you so much for spreading awareness about disability no matter what condition it is. You should totally interview Jessica Mc Cabe from How To ADHD! The ADHD community needs more awarness! I have had a similar experience to you, except for I am not blind. At a young age, I was diagnosed with ADHD. The school and my parents came up with an IEP to help me be as successful as possible. I had to take tests in seprate settings, extended time on work, brain breaks, sitting in the front of the class, and etc! Thank you so much for making these videos, they mean so much!!!

[@kjs22]

I love that molly is the kind of KZbinr that makes us feel confident and makes us smile after a long or a hard day🤗🤗 love you molly! Thank you so much

[@lillyslife6117]

Where guide dogs allowed there

[@Positivekitten]

I grew up in Garden Grove, California and went to public school, but we had resources for the blind within the school. There was only one school in the district that had this, so we had to go to that particular school rather than the school that was closest to us, but we could get most everything we needed from magnification, braille transcription, typing and braille lessons, large print or braille textbooks. Those of us who were visually impaired were usually somewhat outcast and bullied, but at least we were able to get the education we needed. (and yes, I rode the short bus too,!)

[@Jilly_Neutron]

When Molly kept saying that everything at the school for the blind was printed in large print and braille, all I could think was "wait, this is Canada, so was it all printed in large print and braille in english AND french?" I need to know.

[@Sovereignty3]

Add it to her pin. I thought French was a school requirement in Canada? Atleast French as a subject for kids that speak English normally gives them something they can use, and practice with people whose main language it is. My school taught French and Indonesian, but Indonesian didn't go past year 8(?). But unless us Australians went there on Holidays, it wasn't useful. French even less so. Probably the largest closest non English group was Chinese, which might be difficult to learn because its so different, not a lot of common vocabulary. But also some of the kids would have had a reason to learn it too to speak to their Grandparents or their cousins. Or the other Language would have been Japanese, because a lot of my friend were anime nerds and watched Subtitles rather than Dubs, and I at least learnt some words from that sort of thing without conscious effort.

[@daylightbright7675]

@@Sovereignty3 Girl from Alberta here, Ontario's education system is not like what I went through here lol. Here we have Preschool and Kindergarten, I'd never heard of Jr. And Sr. Kindergarten before she mentioned it. We also don't have Grade 13, which I know they do. We also call the three sections of schooling different things. For us it's Elementary, Jr.High then Highschool. She said she was 14 in 8th grade? That can happen, but most kids here are 13 in 8th grade. I assume she was 14 then because they don't start first grade until they're 7.

[@barbaravyse660]

Only part of Canada is French

[@Jilly_Neutron]

@@barbaravyse660 correct, but national law requires that all signs be printed in both languages

[@sarahjo5570]

This sounds like it was such a validating experience omg. It's like me in my mental illness going to an inpatient hospital and people being like "yeah, this sucks and here's how we make it less sucky"

[@dasha_ucko]

I love how now that I'm in quarantine and school ends early, I can actually be part of the early squad!

[@1happypiranha]

My worst year was Grade 9. I was diagnosed with a serious mental illness which changed my life forever. Other kids bullied me and so did teachers. Like Molly has said in her videos, you never know what someone is going through. Everyone has their struggles. In my opinion, there is absolutely NO excuse for bullying.

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

I was going to an amazing private school that literally had no bullying problems* when I was diagnosed a deadly medical condition that still affects my life to this day. Being there when I was diagnosed was an absolute blessing since I was accepted anyway and everyone was so helpful, not only in my my grade, but in all the other grades. Everyone pulled together whenever someone had a need. When I moved and had to go to a public school, I was bullied BAD for being sick. Ugh. *In 7th grade, a fuckwit who bullied me when I went to a public school before that private school was put into my private school by his parents when he got expelled from public school. He picked back up on trying to bully me, and the private school addressed it immediately. When his parents didn't do jack about him bullying me, he was expelled from that private school since they didn't mess around when it came to bullying.

[@elizabethconroy7665]

No bullying Zero tolerance Teachers and Parents must remain vigilant

[@annakobulnicky]

I love learning about your experiences and other people like you. You are such an inspiration Molly. Love you!...and Gallop and Lavender! ❤️😊

[@zeli1500]

Hi Molly, my best friend of 12 years is losing her vision. She's been legally blind since birth, but the vision in her good eye is going. Any tips on how to be there for her and build a good support system when her family is not? It is especially tough on her because her biggest passion is creating art and she hasn't been able to draw in months. Any advice you or anyone else could give I would greatly appreciate it ❤

[@galisilva2639]

Hey! There's an artist called Shino Watabe, she went blind and struggled with how to continue making art but she found a way. Her story might help your friend. :D

[@zeli1500]

@@galisilva2639 Wow thank you so much! I will definitely look her up and share! 😊

[@briannamyers1135]

perhaps she could try sculpting?

[@alizarehman1790]

I also take art here in the UK for A-level and I also have a vision measurement I mean drawing can also be done through a tactile element says a special paper you can get and to use a pencil to draw on it with a geometry mat and it raises the image but there’s so many other different ways you can express are through wire through papier-mâché it doesn’t always have to be drawing

[@titanbuck7]

Oh come on! More stories! I can't believe this video was this long. It seemed so short and interesting! More please!

[@autumalex4846]

I went to a blind school for my whole school career. I’m glad I went there because I learned so many skills that I wouldn’t have learned in a normal public school, and the dynamic is awesome. But academically I wouldn’t recommend and the environment can become very toxic if you allow it to.

[@hannahrose6230]

Same! Totally agree. Also dorm life felt like jail.

[@thetickedoffpianoplayer4193]

oh heck dorm life. we called it Braille Jail.

[@emoryarnold6699]

Molly, that lipstick is absolutely the most stunning shade of red for you!

[@ciaramckenna613]

Oh pet, seeing you get emotional made me tear up. You're amazing and do so much good for the blind community. Take the recognition because god knows you deserve it. My boyfriend's mum is legally blind, but rapidly lost her vision at a young age like you. So watching your videos helps me as a fully-sighted person to understand what she went through. You're a beautiful girl, inside and out love x

[@Tykoon22]

Hey Molly, turns out we were both at Ross around the same time… We should talk.

[@cheechel96]

Yes Molly!!

[@mariaasmrr]

i really thought molly shaved her head, honestly it’d be a look.

[@RosheenQuynh]

SO I'M NOT ALONE

[@Jellybeansatdusk]

Not wearing my glasses so I definitely thought that as well.

[@nellysvlogs4956]

I went there for a tour 1 year ago today and it was amazing! ;) thank you for making me feel safe Molly

[@alexandraivantchenko273]

Who else started crying when Molly started crying? OMG I felt so bad for her

[@sarvedha1117]

Please make more videos on this topic! I think it’s really interesting learning about this as a sighted person!

[@dasha_ucko]

I went to a magnet middle school, so I too had the distinct joy of an hour and a half bus ride each way.

[@tabithacardinal4069]

If it helps, I can never hear the trash trucks.

[@vivi-gd9hb]

are you deaf? not to be rude in ANY way

[@tabithacardinal4069]

@@vivi-gd9hb No, I'm not. It's ok I don't think it was rude to ask

[@melz6625]

@@tabithacardinal4069 I’m not deaf either and I can never hear it too. But I also listen to videos on a low volume because I’m uncomfortable with too loud noises incl talking

[@Sovereignty3]

Good mics = good sound. They typically try to only pick up the sound in front of them and can be set to only pick up the scope of human vocalisations. But it doesn't stop the human trying to talk from hearing it and being distracted.

[@eddierich6179]

Molly, when you say that the teachers "read Braille", can you clarify if they were doing this with their eyes or their hands? I guess I assume some t archers were blind or visually impaired and some were sighted, so maybe this varies. But I would be interested to know if sighted teachers, when tasked to learn Braille, learned how to read visually a pattern of dots as if it were a code typeface, OR, if they actually adapted to tactile reading.

[@miss_t_mo825]

She talks about it in another video but most sighted teachers read the brail by looking at it

[@ruta9366]

WE NEED to hear the miss Canada story.

[@mandycoleman8892]

I grew up in Brantford, Ontario (still live here actually) where you went to school. I was always aware of the blind school but I had no idea it was the only one in Ontario, it seems like we should have more. I wish they had a program or maybe they do, that I don't know about, that they could have sighted people like myself go in and interact with the students to learn more about what you go through and maybe educate sighted people better. I would love to learn more and have learned so many things from watching you Molly keep up the great work you do :)

[@bananaperson8116]

You can feel how happy/excited she is when talking about all the things that she loved about the school, when she was talking about all the resources she had access to!

[@cielo15animations77]

Yaaay thanks for the video!!! I'm curious how blind people learn math and whether it's harder for you to visualize certain mathematical concepts? Thx again!

[@melindaschink6072]

There's a special braille code for that, either Nemeth or UEB depending on where you live. Geometry was the hardest, but definitely doable.

[@melindaschink6072]

The biggest obstacle most of my kids run into are graphics (charts, maps, graphs, political cartoons, etc.) I know some braille embossers will do graphics, but they are very expensive and I prefer to make my own with wiki stix, textured paper, puff paint, bits of fake fur or interesting fabric, or anything with an interesting texture that is at hand and glue able. The variance in texture makes the graphics easier to read. The net bags that some fruits come in are great, but even a thick line of hot glue or Elmer's glue (if you have enough time for it to dry), are nice ways to make Math graphics easier. Arts and crafts are a bonus to teaching math to kids with blindness.

[@inescg5]

My grandma was a teacher at a special needs school, sometimes, these schools often offer summer programs to help parents caring for their children while they're at work. Just like those parents, my own parents had to work during my school summer break, and so, my grandma would take me along with her. I'd play with the kids and that taught me from a very young age that despite our differences, we all deserve the same opportunities. In middle school there was one special needs class, kids were of all ages from preteen to late teens, of course, not like the other classes... but I'd spend time with them and I believe it was good for them to have friends outside their classroom to hang out and laugh. I live and work near an institution for the visually impaired, so it's pretty usual to either pass by some of the members on the street or receive them as customers where I work at (I'm a waitress), and one of these days I took my whole time patiently reading all the items on the menu to one lovely gentleman, and explaining the prices, the extras he could add to his menu and, since his menu was to take out we agreed on a code for him to tell which box was which product so he could know which one was his and which one was for his partner. Thanks to Molly's videos I know how to help the gentleman to a table, how to approach him without startling him, how to serve him like I would serve a normal guest. Also near my work place there's a college that has sign language classes (among others) and most the students there are either deaf, mute or both. I took my time to learn a few signs, to at least be able to greet them, thank them, wish a good meal... just because I care that they have the same experience as everyone else that visits the shop. No one deserves to have a hard time ordering, no one should feel stressed and misunderstood when ordering their food. I want the custies to feel welcome, at home, and comfortable... I wish the world was better prepared to receive everyone equally, despite their circumstances and that we could all enjoy the same experiences without struggles and anxiety.

[@patrickmccullough1831]

Lysm Molly! I hope you know how many people look up to and appreciate you! 💛

[@michellestoessel8427]

My grandma met my grandpa when they went to a school for the blind together ❤

[@paitentaylor9133]

That is cool

[@froggiespit10]

You know that she is blind when she adds captions, she understands how it feels to not have the resources, your amazing Molly

[@emilybannon1943]

As part of my college education in Deaf blind studies, I visited the school and it’s beautiful campus. The teachers there are so knowledgeable and I appreciated how you talked a lot about it not being right for everyone or at the right time. Its so important that parents and students have options.

[@CrypticVisionsINC]

I did swimming lessons at W. Ross McDonald!!!! Like around the same time you attended!

[@hannahp4376]

I'm glad you had a good experience! My grandmother worked at a school for the blind and deaf and she loved working there. So many good stories Molly!! Love you girl! xo

[@jessicapammenter1061]

Molly, your hair color and lip color make you look like Dark Swan from Once Upon A Time!!! Love it!!

[@mikeymywaydowntown6915]

Omg she does

[@nicolemerelli863]

I work in optometry and didn't know this about CVS. I have elderly and low vision pts all the time who can't read their labels and I will be informing them of this! Thank you for your help, this should help a lot of people!

[@thepinksilhouette3076]

I love your lipstick! What shade/brand is it?

[@fizzyfoal]

I actually had no idea they only had one school for the blind in Ontario... I’ve driven past W. Ross before when I worked at a camp in brantford. I can’t even imagine doing that long bus ride to oakville and back every day! I learned so much from this video Molly! Thank you for sharing about your experience

[@HekatieSquires]

The bright red lipstick looks so good with the less saturated hair you’ve got atm!!

[@emilykuykendall2899]

Molly your eyes are like steel grey in this video and they look AMAZING! I just love the look with hair slicked back, red lipstick, and black top!! Gorgeous!

[@billybob7218]

I would love to see Molly callab with footless Joe or do a similar series to hers (amputee reacts) but with movies surrounding blindness or so claimed accessible movies

[@JustlikeAmber]

Being legally blind and finding your videos had really help me and my blind journey last year! Love you girl keep inspiring😊😊

[@karbear26]

School for the blind reminds me of the little house on the prairie books and Mary going to the school for the blind in Iowa!

[@lindseyevans9289]

I teared up at the end when you talked about being proud of your friends. Molly you are so so caring and loving. It really shows and it’s what makes you one of my fave you tubers!!!❤❤❤

[@gretabonnaud7778]

You seem to have so many stories to tell and I think that it would be great if you did a podcast. I would love listening to all of these stories in a longer format. I know you already have your audio book but it would be great to listen to a Molly Burke podcast! 💕💫

[@carlzmossberg5438]

Molly getting emotional at the end 😭 It breaks my heart for her and her friends' struggles but also is so inspiring that they are living a great life. ❤

[@flofelts]

The feeling you felt on your trial there is how I felt on my trial at a school for learning disabilities. Its like culture shock and its amazing

[@Crazyreviewer123]

That’s how it felt for me I went a school for adults with special needs after high school and it was the best 3 years of my life.

[@XR_to_DR]

Love you Molly! I’m so proud of you and so thankful to have found you! You’ve truly become such a huge part of my life and have made a great impact on my life. Although I can’t relate with you through your vision journey, I totally relate with you on being bullied and turning your life around into something you’re proud of despite mental health struggles and major life events! Thank you so very much for being such a positive influence for so many and I’m sure that your impact on the youth struggling with vision issues is even more profound! ♥️

[@jakeraphael4507]

I wonder how Braille on like class signs and stuff are used now in COVID-19 times

[@melindaschink6072]

Braille signage is made of plastic or metal, and can be disinfected like other surfaces. I always give my students hand sanitizer after anyway, but in the schools I work at, it's part of the custodial sanitizing routine.

[@mygirldarby]

Covid is mostly spread through the air.

[@Sovereignty3]

Probably helps wearing facemask, but if you having difficulty pronouncing words, that creates another issue. But smaller classes with less mixing makes for easier contact tracing.

[@Rebecca-vg2ef]

@@mygirldarby yeah, if you sanitize your hands and disinfect surfaces regularly the transmission would be minimal

[@annieinwonderland]

@@Sovereignty3 Jessica Kellgren-fozard has done a video on this about clear masks.

[@chloemorley3781]

I want to hear all the things you want to tell us about those two years!

[@Noodle2018]

I would love another video (or videos!) about your experiences at a school for the blind.

[@christinas.-b.3820]

Molly, you look just extra stunning in this one! The slicked back blond hair with the red lip and understated eyes is just beautiful!

[@maddwinter]

Ya know, it's so fascinating that some people live without some skills that most humans have. I mean, I can't even start to imagine losing my sight or hearing.

[@elorahancock6326]

My experience was absolutely horrible at a blind school. It was residential and day student like yours. I was residential through the week and I came home on weekends. A lot of the staff there were demeaning, refused to help me with my goals because I was “high functioning” which was horrible in itself. One time I saw a staff member grab a kid by the arm and push her down . They also expected me to help and be basically a second teacher to the kids with cognitive delays. The residential counselors and a few of the teachers were amazing and got me through everything that happened. But most of the teachers were cruel, fat shamed me, told me I was not going anywhere, and intentionally hindered my emotional development. I was there all through middle school which was a crucial time in life. I dealt with so many mental health issues because of that place. I’m so grateful to be in Running Start through a public school. I have finally caught myself up emotionally, physically, and academically. I know everyone has different experiences but this video is going to be tough to get through because everything was so very difficult and triggering. It is not real life, you’re in a blind bubble. But on the flip side because I’m VI as opposed to blind teachers kept saying nasty things to me about being sighted when I’m not. I dealt with more teacher problems not helping me with my IEP at a blind school than I did at a public school!!! They also DID NOT have academic strand so I was struggling with not being challenged. It was horrible. If you live in WA. Do not send your children to WSSB. It’s AWFUL!!

[@gingerslife4856]

I have a friend who in third grade became legally blind I'm not going to share the story I find that it makes me feel sick and don't want to do that to anyone and he went to a school for the blind for 3 years and when I started middle school he was in my homeroom and tried to let him know that he had a friend in me and this was a big loud busy overwhelming school and now that I have learned about blindness think no wonder he left a month in he was ether homeschooled or went back to the school for the blind

[@Rosie.felicia]

Grieving is so important when it comes to life changing medical things like that. When my younger sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 11, it was so incredibly hard for her to grieve the loss of the life she thought she had. It truly was a period of intense grief for her and for our family. I think this is something that's hard for people who don't go through things like that to understand.

[@plut0_plut0nium]

"Here's for getting through life!" Cheers!

[@sylviabegay7457]

Good evening Molly Burke. Great to hear your voice as a blind person because I am one myself. I have participated and quite a few blind schools myself so I know how it is. Very cool to know there’s people out there being independent and and being responsible for themselves as well as advocating for themselves. Great job. Keep it up. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year.

[@joannaq659]

"THEN I WON MISS TEEN CANADA" - WHAT? Haha. And I thought I've watched all your videos, but I also didn't know you went to a school for the blind.

[@victoriawills8402]

Molly, you are so inspiring! I could listen to your videos all day!!!

[@karlahabbershaw1971]

"Me hearing you and you feeling heard are two very different things" - I don't remember who said this but I remind myself this a lot LMK if you know who said it internet

[@lizchapman5250]

I absolutely love this story time. You two having giggle fits is fun too. I love hearing about your experiences. It's like just chilling with a girl friend. I know it's one sided, but know we are here!

[@stephaniediebert3889]

I just wanted to say that as far as I know living in Alberta, the only province/territory that still has Junior and Senior kindergarten is Ontario, we just have one year of kindergarten

[@sglen-pekse4995]

Yeah, I live in AB too, and I only had kindergarten. Not 2 levels, but that's Canada for you. It changes across the country... even the accent is different

[@KatherineS14]

I just commented on another video saying how I used to work at a school for the blind, and immediately spotted this video! I'm amazed at how many similarities there are between your school in Canada and the school where I worked in Texas. I absolutely agree that some of the most AMAZING people I've met were students there- blind people living their best lives!!

[@nicoleseto4876]

Oregon does not have a school for the blind anymore. It closed down about 10 years ago and students were sent back to their home districts and have traveling teachers for the blind that will visit them at their schools.

[@i.am.mindblind]

Oh that's sad! Washington has a school for the Blind in Vancouver. Just before Covid I emailed asking for volunteer opportunities and didn't hear back. I plan on following up again once life "normalizes."

[@hadassahbenson4020]

Fellow Oregonian here who happens to be blind. I know that if you live close to Vancouver Washington they will allow you to go to the Washington school for the blind. I’m not sure if all of Oregon could do that but I know the Portland Metro area I can. I have friends who have lived in the Portland Metro area and went to the Washington school for the blind in Vancouver.

[@nicoleseto4876]

@@hadassahbenson4020 I thought that might be the case, but I wasn’t sure.

[@amandagimenez99]

I really related to how you feel about your friends who have gone forward to live life after having connected with them through hardships. I met my best friends after living through the worst periods of my life because they were willing to relate and validate everything I was going through. ❤ It's also a huge part of why I appreciate you and your channel!

[@isabellebrintnall8454]

Omg Molly! Love your channel and this video. Update: I finished the video the ending hit me right in the feels. As a sighted person I really appreciate the perspective that you provide to people it makes all the difference in how we can interact and be better allies to people with these kinds of experiences.

[@mamaK648]

Visited a school for the blind to see if it may help my son. It's so helpful to have this video and your perspective. Thanks Molly!

[@maddy27285]

Hey Molly, I think things can be very different across Canada. In BC, we don't have the semester system in high school. We have the linear system (8 classes at once, 4 one day and another 4 the second day). We also only have one year of kindergarten (no junior and senior kindergarten).

[@soryndravenz5475]

@MollyBurk I am relatively new to your Chanel and I relate to your struggles and your back story as someone who has multiple diagnosis some are semi invisible and others are completely invisible to others and as someone who is newly diagnosed legally blind and trying to figure out everyday things in a new way and relearning everyday life all over and living alone and not having friends or family and you are the guiding light in my life right now and are inspiring to me.

[@glockwood5068]

My friend has something similar to her "laugh attacks" , she once laughed so hard that she was hanging off her chair and could not get up because she was laughing so hard so the teacher came over and had to pick her up, and also she laughs when you keep repeating you saying red or brown, so for example : brown,brown,brown and so on. She also laughs at the stupidest things , I don't know like maybe there is a funny part in the read aloud and she will laugh uncontrollably ( the rest of the class including me just laughs and then listens). And there was this one part of the book where it says : holy c word, I need a nap , all because of you ( but we all could not stop laughing).

[@Ella-jw4pv]

Molly uploads make me so happy

[@shreya_b]

0:00 to 1-20 Introduction 1:20 to 4:04: Sponsorship

[@queen_beauty5711]

All the video ideas you stated at the end sound very interesting! Especially a video dedicated to talking about bullying at the school for the blind

[@curiousfirely]

Ah ha ha! I always wondered if you attended W. Ross Macdonald! I grew up about 1km away, so thought audible crosswalks were a normal thing everywhere until I moved away!

[@Lifewith_Ella_and_Findus]

Thank you for sharing this Molly!!!❤️ I love you and love how you’re narrating your videos! Your humor is right up my alley❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Katie-hw7is]

Can you tell when people are staring at you. I know that some people can just feel when people are staring at them without looking around. Can you feel it, or do you just know? Edit: Also, yes we do have preschool and then Kindergarton but, I know a lot of people who went to preschool twice or are sending their kids to preschool twice including me.

[@Author.Noelle.Alexandria]

A lot of people don't do preschool at all since it's expensive in a lot of the US.

[@Crimson_Cheetah]

I can’t tell if someone is just staring at me, but I can often sense someone’s presence if they’re close enough to me. I guess it’s like a mix of mild echolocation plus the very, very limited vision I have (limited as in everything close enough for me to perceive just appears as a formless shadow thing), plus some internal sensing thing in the brain, it’s hard to describe but yeah lol.

[@tristanbarnes7318]

I totally get you. When I lost my ability to to tolerate all food and was forced into the world of feeding tubes I went through a major depression and felt seriously isolated amongst my healthy peers. Grief is an intense process and its different for everyone. A school for chronically ill students doesn't exist, so my support came from people from all over the world that I met online. Feeling understood is all that anyone ever really needs.