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Ten Invaluable Resources for Parents of Babies and Toddlers Who Are Blind

From: FamilyConnect: A Parent's Voice
Categories: Education , Personal Reflections
By

Shannon Carollo

Those of you who have young children recently diagnosed with blindness or a visual impairment, the intensity of emotions you are feeling is not overlooked. We recognize you’re in a deeply painful waiting room. You don’t know how to envision your child’s future; you wonder what services your child will need and how you will get them; you wait to one day overcome grief and accept all that is. You look to your right and left, and it feels as if nobody else is waiting with you.

We at FamilyConnect do not want you to wait alone. We’re here. We’re here to connect you with other parents of children with blindness and visual impairments; we’re here to connect you with resources specific to raising a child who is blind; we’re here to give you encouragement and hope. We are here to support you.

I think these 10 resources will provide you with connections, resources, encouragement, and hope:

  1. Connect with other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired using FamilyConnect’s Message Boards.
  2. To understand you are not alone, read the heart-wrenching account of “How We Felt Learning Our Child Would be Blind: Two Difficult Months.”
  3. Read To My Son With Love to hear Susan LaVenture discuss her then-infant son’s “diagnosis day” and discuss her son’s career accomplishment.
  4. Read FamilyConnect’s article series Emotional Impact of a Child’s Blindness.
  5. Read our Overview of Services for Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
  6. Read the article series Working with Your Child’s Medical Professionals.
  7. Peruse the information and resources in our Babies and Toddlers Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired section to learn about the growth, development, and learning methods of little ones who are blind or visually impaired.
  8. Peruse the information and resources in Tips for Families of Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired to learn about using life experiences as teachable moments for your child.
  9. Look at Helpful Products and Toys for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments.
  10. Read Success Stories from CareerConnect to learn about many vocationally successful adults who are blind or visually impaired.

Lastly, please join the FamilyConnect community. There are several full-time parent bloggers contributing to FamilyConnect. You can request email updates for these blogs, and track your favorite message boards, by registering with FamilyConnect.

  • A Parent’s Voice—various contributions from professionals and parents just like you
  • Raising a Child Who is Blind and…—Emily Coleman’s blog about parenting three unique children including her middle child, Eddie, who is blind with multiple disabilities.

You are not alone. We are here to support you as you get to know your child, teach your child, advocate for your child, and love your child unconditionally.