Basically we learned it’s a very rare genetic cause to his central sight loss + autoimmunity causing peripheral loss. We will write more later, but please watch his video below. #Complex #Rare
Category: Acceptance
The Struggle is Real
I speak a lot about acceptance and how our family has adapted to our son’s sight loss from Retinitis Pigmentosa. However, I want to be real with you, I’m struggling right now.
We just returned from a visit to Duke Eye Center. Our youngest son, Kai, has previously been followed by Emory. We’ve visited Emory Eye Clinic 3 times over the last 7 years and they’ve run a number of tests and have run genetics tests twice. At the age of 10, Kai was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. RP is a rod-cone dystrophy that causes a restriction in the visual field (think of looking through a tunnel) and eventually, in the late stages, causes the central vision to fail. RP is typically diagnosed later in life and is a typically slow progressing disease. Continue reading “The Struggle is Real”
Thriving Blind & Navigating Blindness: Acceptance & So Much More
From perceptions to prom to college — and everything in between — Kristin & Kim cover multiple topics about raising kids who are blind. Click here or on the image below to listen in on the chat/rant that follows no outline or schedule!
Please give us a like, share, follow or comment. Related links are included at the end of the post.
ps. This is my first video experience so please be kind. Yes, I know I blinked A LOT! lol. — Kim
Image is a link to the video along with headshots of Kristin & Kim.
Continue reading “Thriving Blind & Navigating Blindness: Acceptance & So Much More”
The Mystery of Acceptance
Happy New Year, friends.
I keep hearing that 2020 is the year of “#Acceptance” so today I’d like to respond to a question from a friend who asks: “You seem to have fully accepted Kai’s sight loss. How do you think you were able to do that?” Continue reading “The Mystery of Acceptance”
The Value of a Disabled Woman
I’m excited (and a bit nervous) to share a very vulnerable piece of our family’s journey which was published in the June 2019 edition of Captivating! Magazine. The article is titled “The Value of a Disabled Woman.” Continue reading “The Value of a Disabled Woman”
Willingness is the Key
I am deeply tired. We have been having a rough time lately. My autoimmune disease has been flared up causing pain, fatigue and general malaise. Kai just underwent his bi-annual appointment at the eye clinic 4 hours from home. It’s hard to endure those long drives, long waits and painful tests when the outcome is only for school documentation — no treatment. Top that off with my oldest son having to learn some hard self-care lessons while away at college and sprinkle it with my dad’s inability to admit to a severe drug and alcohol addiction and I find myself wondering: Am I willing? Continue reading “Willingness is the Key”
The Process of Letting Go
After several months wholly focused on resolving the instructional materials issues at my son’s high school, it was time to turn our attention towards the future. We opened a Vocational Rehabilitation case for my son and met with the local university’s disability services director regarding dual enrollment. Both meetings were emotionally draining as I realized that the process of advocating for my son’s needs in the educational and career environments will always be a challenge.
Now that my 16-year-old son is fully transitioned to Braille, Nemeth, cane usage and assistive technology he understands what he needs in order to be successful. He also understands that he is the best person to quickly identify challenges and attempt to solve issues through clear communication. I’m so proud of the growth he’s experienced over the last 6 years of vision loss. I’m learning to step back and let him lead. As a mom who has fought daily for his needs over the last six years this “letting go” is very emotional. Continue reading “The Process of Letting Go”
Breathe, Mama Bear, Breathe
Last week was the first week my legally blind son was back in school since the holidays. It was also the week that the action items in our formal mediation agreement were to be implemented by his high school.
The amount of internal stress I felt about his return to school took me by surprise. My fight-or-flight instinct kicked-in keeping my muscles tense, my breathing shallow, my mind jumpy and making sleep elusive. Continue reading “Breathe, Mama Bear, Breathe”
Blindness and the Sixteenth Birthday
Last week was Kai’s 16th birthday. I remember when we first heard the words “your son is going blind” and the feelings of dread and loss that swept over me when I realized he would not be able to drive. It’s been 6 years since diagnosis, but right now we are feeling the diagnosis and loss acutely — like a fresh wound. Continue reading “Blindness and the Sixteenth Birthday”
The First Steps
As our son’s vision diminished our world was expanding to include Retinal Specialists, Orientation & Mobility (O&M) instructors and Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI).
We were totally new to this world of visual impairments and had no idea how our son would be able to continue to thrive in school. Continue reading “The First Steps”
Navigating Blindness 