By Laura Lane
State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick, arranged the visit by the Democratic head of state. Fuschillo's daughter, Katie, is in Colfer's class, along with one of her closest friends, Braden Flax, who has been blind since birth.
Paterson, New York's first blind and first African-American governor, was originally asked to speak to the children before he recently ascended to the state's top post. When Paterson became governor, he was extremely busy, making a visit to Chatterton unlikely. Still, he wanted to meet Flax, and so he did last week.
Braden was happy that the governor came, and he was proud that he took part in a concert to honor him. "I asked him if it was hard being governor, and I wasn't surprised when he said it is," Braden said. "I felt very lucky that he came to my class."
Branden's sister, Samantha, 12, said, "I liked his views on blind children being mainstreamed into the
classroom -- a belief I have, too. It was a good experience for them to meet an important person like the governor. It showed them that blind people can make their way and go very far."
Christine Grassman, Braden and Samantha's mother, said, "He spoke very well to the kids, saying to them that it's good for people to be integrated and together. His visit was inspiring for my son. One thing Braden's always upset about is that he feels inferior to his peers. He can't compete on the same level running or playing ball."
Braden said he'd like to be a singer and is great at math.
Colfer said, "It was an amazing experience for the children. They were star-struck and proud that he came to meet with them." She added that the children had been learning about what it's like to be blind all year from Braden.
The children performed several musical selections for the governor. Then Paterson spoke about his life. He told the class that his family moved to Long Island from New York City when he was a child so he could be educated in a mainstream setting like other children his age.
Colfer said, "Paterson was an inspiration. His blindness doesn't matter because it is the work and determination that got him to where he is. I try to surround my children with adult blind role models to make an impression."
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
