Two years ago, we introduced you to Aidan Noyola. He is a student at Bennett Elementary in Frenship ISD. Aidan is blind and has Septo-optic Dysplasia, a disorder in early brain development. This made it harder for him to understand Braille.
For his New Year's resolution, the 11-year-old said he wanted to read Braille. While it was not the traditional path of learning, Aidan gained a skill he will use for the rest of his life. A skill he would not have if it were not for his teacher, Sherry Airhart.
"He makes everyday wonderful, we've been together a long time," Airhart said.
Nine years to be exact. Airhart said she had to get creative when it came to teaching. She started by adding textures to this keyboard, so Aidan could spell out his name. He would eventually learn to read using these textures. The next step was to get Aidan familiar with actual Braille.
"Then we started using puff paint and it was a struggle for awhile, but one day it really clicked with him," Airhart said.
Last May, Airhart said they started using a jumbo Brailler. It specifically creates larger, more spaced out dots.
"Then this year we went from jumbo Braille to regular Braille in about March," Airhart said.
But his journey does not stop here, Airhart said they are still working on communicating and fine tuning his skills.
"I really learned not to give up on your goals and to keep working," Airhart said.
Friday, August 23 2019 3:31 PM EDT2019-08-23 19:31:25 GMT
Friday, August 23 2019 8:41 PM EDT2019-08-24 00:41:52 GMT
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File). FILE - In this June 29, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan. China has announced it will raise tariff...
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File). FILE - In this June 29, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump, left, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan. China has announced it will raise tariff...
Trump vows response to China tariffs on $75B of US goods, deepening conflict over trade and technology that threatens to tip a weakening global economy into recession.
Trump vows response to China tariffs on $75B of US goods, deepening conflict over trade and technology that threatens to tip a weakening global economy into recession.
(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Gun rights advocates gather outside the Texas Capitol where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a round table discussion, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Gun rights advocates gather outside the Texas Capitol where Texas Gov. Greg Abbott held a round table discussion, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Austin, Texas.
Texas' muscular gun-rights lobby is swiftly pushing back after Gov. Greg Abbott raised the possibility of tighter firearms laws after a gunman killed 22 people at an El Paso Walmart.
Texas' muscular gun-rights lobby is swiftly pushing back after Gov. Greg Abbott raised the possibility of tighter firearms laws after a gunman killed 22 people at an El Paso Walmart.
A few storms are possible tonight and again Saturday, though the chance is low. Then it's going to get very hot Sunday and Monday in Lubbock and across the South Plains.
A few storms are possible tonight and again Saturday, though the chance is low. Then it's going to get very hot Sunday and Monday in Lubbock and across the South Plains.
(Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP) In this July 25, 2019 file photo John Nicholas, brother of Rhogena Nicholas, lowers his head next to a photo of his sister during a news conference in Houston.
(Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via AP) In this July 25, 2019 file photo John Nicholas, brother of Rhogena Nicholas, lowers his head next to a photo of his sister during a news conference in Houston.
A former Houston police officer has been charged with murder in connection with the deadly January drug raid of a home that killed a couple who lived there and injured five officers, prosecutors announced Friday.
A former Houston police officer has been charged with murder in connection with the deadly January drug raid of a home that killed a couple who lived there and injured five officers, prosecutors announced Friday.
News release from Lubbock Power & Light: On Sunday, Aug. 25, Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L) will complete an upgrade of utility infrastructure in downtown Lubbock. LP&L is upgrading electric line facilities in order to improve the long-term reliability of t
News release from Lubbock Power & Light: On Sunday, Aug. 25, Lubbock Power & Light (LP&L) will complete an upgrade of utility infrastructure in downtown Lubbock. LP&L is upgrading electric line facilities in order to improve the long-term reliability of t
(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) In this Tuesday, April 10, 2018 photo, Marshfield High School Principal Robert Keuther displays vaping devices that were confiscated from students in such places as restrooms or hallways at the school in Marshfield, Mass.
(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) In this Tuesday, April 10, 2018 photo, Marshfield High School Principal Robert Keuther displays vaping devices that were confiscated from students in such places as restrooms or hallways at the school in Marshfield, Mass.
Illinois health officials said Friday that a patient who contracted a serious lung disease after vaping has died, which could make it the first death in the United States linked to the smoking alternative.
Illinois health officials said Friday that a patient who contracted a serious lung disease after vaping has died, which could make it the first death in the United States linked to the smoking alternative.
17-year-old Dornnell Moore, 17-year-old Cameron Lee Stacey and 20-year-old Jermane Hardrick are now in the Lubbock County Detention Center charged with aggravated robbery in connection to Tuesday morning’s robberies.
17-year-old Dornnell Moore, 17-year-old Cameron Lee Stacey and 20-year-old Jermane Hardrick are now in the Lubbock County Detention Center charged with aggravated robbery in connection to Tuesday morning’s robberies.
