[blindkid] Concerns about child's vision loss

Carlton Anne Cook Walker carltonwalker at gmail.com
Sun Dec 20 02:04:22 UTC 2009


Hi,

My daughter, Anna Catherine, 8 years old, has also experienced some of what
your daughter has.  While she does not remember full vision (she was an
infant when her vision development was stunted), she still experiences
fluctuations in her vision -- particularly if she is tired or ill.

For several years, she would ask me whether I was blind or if others were
blind.  Later, she regularly told me that she wished I were blind -- so
she'd be like me.  Of course, part of it was because she is the only blind
child in our county -- and the only braille reader of any age in our
county.  Not that's isolating.

More recently, Anna does not complain about her visual impairment too much
-- usually when she is having difficulty reading braille or feels left out
at school.  I sit down and talk these feelings through with her.

I always make certain to acknowledge that validity of her feelings.  It is,
indeed, isolating to be the only blind kid around.  Soon, however, I remind
her of her friends in the Federation  I remind her of others who read
braille -- and who keep reading.  I remind her about the college student in
our state who is majoring in the field Anna wishes to pursue: meteorology.
I remind her of the terrific adult role models in the Federation, especially
the moms.

Sometimes I talk about those of us who are "vision dependent."  I point out
the importance and usefulness of the non-visual skills she is developing.

Then, I remind her that we are all different.  Some are tall, some are
short.  I remind her that she has so much to be grateful for.  Both her
parents are alive and live together.  (My husband's first wife -- her
siblings' mother -- died when the kids were just 7 and 8.  Anna's had me
longer than her brother and sister had their mom.)  We have a home and do
not have to worry about buying food -- so many in this country and abroad
are not that fortunate.


In life, we must decide how to live our lives with what we have.  We can
ache for that which is beyond our grasp or we can embrace that with which we
have been blessed.  I encourage Anna Catherine to work hard, be kind to
others, and love with all her heart.  What more can a parent hope for?


Carlton

-- 
Carlton Anne Cook Walker
213 North First Street
McConnellsburg, PA    17233
Voice: 717-658-9894
Twitter: braillemom



More information about the BlindKid mailing list