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.
Sunday, December 15 2019 10:36 AM EST2019-12-15 15:36:19 GMT
Monday, December 16 2019 1:17 AM EST2019-12-16 06:17:32 GMT
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File). FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2016, file Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. As Johnson prepares to step down after 11 years leading the group, he's well...
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File). FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2016, file Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington. As Johnson prepares to step down after 11 years leading the group, he's well...
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson is retiring after a lifetime of farming and advocating for agriculture.
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson is retiring after a lifetime of farming and advocating for agriculture.
Sunday, December 15 2019 11:26 AM EST2019-12-15 16:26:24 GMT
Monday, December 16 2019 1:17 AM EST2019-12-16 06:17:17 GMT
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf). Former FBI Director James Comey talks with "Fox News Sunday" anchor Chris Wallace, Sunday morning, Dec. 15, 2019, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf). Former FBI Director James Comey talks with "Fox News Sunday" anchor Chris Wallace, Sunday morning, Dec. 15, 2019, in Washington.
Former FBI Director James Comey is acknowledging that a Justice Department inspector general report identified “real sloppiness" in the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide.
Former FBI Director James Comey is acknowledging that a Justice Department inspector general report identified “real sloppiness" in the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide.
Sunday, December 15 2019 8:06 PM EST2019-12-16 01:06:39 GMT
Monday, December 16 2019 12:46 AM EST2019-12-16 05:46:51 GMT
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth). Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talks with referee Walt Anderson (66) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth). Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) talks with referee Walt Anderson (66) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019.
Dak Prescott made up for the gaffe that wasn't on the coin toss.
Dak Prescott made up for the gaffe that wasn't on the coin toss.
A cold front has already passed through the area, and temperatures will be cold for the start of the week. It won't be much colder tonight, but you will feel the difference Monday afternoon with highs only in the 40s. Monday night will even drop into the
A cold front has already passed through the area, and temperatures will be cold for the start of the week. It won't be much colder tonight, but you will feel the difference Monday afternoon with highs only in the 40s. Monday night will even drop into the
Sunday, December 15 2019 3:46 AM EST2019-12-15 08:46:45 GMT
Sunday, December 15 2019 4:56 PM EST2019-12-15 21:56:43 GMT
(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo). In this photo taken on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, a World War II model plane with navigation maps and a photograph are displayed at the Remember Museum 39-45 in Thimister-Clermont, Belgium. The museum houses countless World War I...
(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo). In this photo taken on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, a World War II model plane with navigation maps and a photograph are displayed at the Remember Museum 39-45 in Thimister-Clermont, Belgium. The museum houses countless World War I...
Memories are fading of the Battle of the Bulge and the sacrifice U.S. soldiers made to rid Europe of Nazi armies.
Memories are fading of the Battle of the Bulge and the sacrifice U.S. soldiers made to rid Europe of Nazi armies.
Saturday, December 14 2019 9:16 AM EST2019-12-14 14:16:26 GMT
Sunday, December 15 2019 10:46 AM EST2019-12-15 15:46:12 GMT
(AP Photo/Paul Weber). In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 photo, Democrat Royce West, left, a Texas state senator who is running for U.S. Senate in Texas, talks with local party organizer Jimmy Alan Hall after a campaign stop in San Marcos, Texas. West is on...
(AP Photo/Paul Weber). In this Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 photo, Democrat Royce West, left, a Texas state senator who is running for U.S. Senate in Texas, talks with local party organizer Jimmy Alan Hall after a campaign stop in San Marcos, Texas. West is on...
Beto O'Rourke isn't running for Senate again, and Democrats who have unusually high hopes for Texas in 2020 are facing an unsettled landscape.
Beto O'Rourke isn't running for Senate again, and Democrats who have unusually high hopes for Texas in 2020 are facing an unsettled landscape.
Made up of about 60 kids, The Estacado High School band's numbers pale in comparison to other school bands across the state, but their performances on the field are among the very best. That is what Vista Ridge High School Band Director Bryan Christian said, who leads a group with about five times as many kids.
Made up of about 60 kids, The Estacado High School band's numbers pale in comparison to other school bands across the state, but their performances on the field are among the very best. That is what Vista Ridge High School Band Director Bryan Christian said, who leads a group with about five times as many kids.