I know that several weeks have passed since there has been an update. It has been a very hectic time for the Hoopers and myself. Despite the overwhelming and clearly positive support for Lily-Grace's use of her white cane, Hambrook school simply has not been willing to make this adjustment. It was decided that due to the attitudes of the administration and the emotionally charged environment at the school (both positive and negative) that it was not in Lily-Grace's best interest to have her return to Hambrook. She has been home-schooling as a temporary measure, but will be transferring to another school after the holidays. While this is not the outcome anyone wanted, especially Lily-Grace's family, it was necessary to be sure that the school environment Lily-Grace goes into will be flexible enough to allow her to use all nonvisual techniques, including her longer and light-weight white cane and to develop her independence to the same level as other children with eyesight and with the same level of adult supervision that is age-appropriate. It is also very important, especially after what has happened, that Lily-Grace understands that her white cane is not something to be ashamed of and is a tool of her independence and vitally important to her safety and well-being. She also needs to realize that even though there are a few people who don't understand this and will be unwilling to change their minds, the vast majority of people around her do understand and will be supportive. The thing that does NOT need to happen is for Lily-Grace to associate negative feelings with her cane or her ability to travel. Lily-Grace's family is not afraid to advocate for her needs and does so openly, but at some point in time when her maturity level has also developed sufficiently, Lily-Grace will need to do this for herself. I've often encountered those who refused nonvisual techniques because they were exposed to someone who had negative attitudes toward them when they were children and thus, a negative association was formed at a very early age. Once such an association has been made, it takes a lot of time and effort to change it. The end result is often a person who doesn't have the skills they need to function independently, lacks confidence in their abilities, and who needs assistance and interventions from others to a greater level than his or peers. Tools of blindness are much more readily available and nonvisual skills are not more difficult to learn than visual ones. Not permitting a child to learn to use them to the same degree that sighted children use their skills and allowing them fall short of their full potential because of negative biases or incorrect stereotypes is absolutely inexcusable, unnecessary, and inhumane. Lily-Grace's family and I are eternally grateful for the support and encouragement you have shown during this extremely challenging ordeal! The family has vowed to continue to help others in similar situations and will be raising funds to purchase white canes, braillers, and other equipment that is vital to the education and independence of other blind children. Please continue to keep the Hooper family and Lily-Grace in your thoughts and prayers! Not everyone in their community has shown support and they have had to encounter negative comments from even those outside of school. Yet, the Hoopers are resolved to continue to live and thrive in their community despite it and to be a living example that a blind child with a white cane is no threat or danger to anyone. I firmly believe that one day people will look back on this and wonder why in the world there was such an uproar in the first place. Those who have closed their minds to Lily-Grace's right to independence have denied themselves the opportunity to get to know a fellow human being with the same desires, feelings, and potential for growth and success... who just happens to see with her heart instead of her eyes. It is far better to be a blind person with vision than to have 20/20 eyesight and no ability to really perceive! If you would like to know more, feel free to read the following article. http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Blind-girl-banned-using-white-cane-school-join/story-28397289-detail/story.html We will continue, at least for the time being, to post updates here as appropriate. We realize that a lot of people want to continue to follow Lily-Grace that genuinely care about her well-being. We also want to wish everyone a happy holiday season!