“I have never walked into a room full of strangers and instantly connected,” says Rob Harris. Rob attended the APH ConnectCenter Family Retreat recently held in Louisville, and he hasnât stopped raving about the amazing connections he made or the amount of information he has absorbed since. Rob says that it wasnât difficult to become … Continued
Iâm Tiara, and my sonâs name is Max. He has a rare genetic disorder called Chromosome 13, Partial Monosomy 13q, which is the partial deletion of the 13th chromosome that causes a combination of cognitive, sensory, and physical challenges. Our doctors initially told me not to expect Max to live. While dealing with that shocking … Continued
When facing challenges, stressful life changes, and feelings of isolation, ParentConnect can be a space to support you. Support groups offer space to share concerns and successes while providing the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with others going through similar situations. Becoming a parent has challenges that other parents can relate to, but what … Continued
Kayla Ludlow loves being a Latina. Sheâs proud of her Hispanic heritage â her father is from Ecuador â and even though her parents split up when Kayla was young, her American-born mother made sure to teach Kayla about her heritage, including encouraging her to learn Spanish and take Latin dance classes. But people donât … Continued
Editorâs note: APH Huntington recognizes the barriers to accessing services for those who are blind or low vision living in rural communities. Lee Huffman, APH Huntingtonâs Senior Strategist of Accessible Technology and Community Outreach, shares that one of APH Huntingtonâs aims is to provide hands-on training, discussions, and services throughout the rural community of Huntington, … Continued
If youâre like me (a bit of a nerd at heart), you may remember your childhood school âfirst daysâ as fun and exciting, with possibly a few nervous butterflies in the mix. I loved the satisfaction of putting a crisp, clean stack of paper into my brightly colored Trapper-Keeper (did you know theyâre back in … Continued
Editorâs note: The end of July marks three related days of commemoration: Hire a Veteran Day is July 25, and both National Disability Independence Day and the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are July 26. Read Captain Benjamin Keeleyâs story to learn about his career journey after retiring from the U.S. Navy … Continued
Editorâs note: Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Week 2022 is June 26- July 2. Parents, family members, and caregivers of children who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind, letâs take the opportunity to look back at Helen Kellerâs life and advocacy work in effort to continue carrying the mantle of empowering individuals who are blind, low … Continued
If your child has been diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), you are not alone! According to Dr. Borchert for The MAGIC Foundation, Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is the leading cause of blindness in infants and children. Joanna Mathewson recalled her young daughterâs diagnosis of ONH in Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Part 1: Joanna and Chrissaâs … Continued
Thereâs no question that Christina Ha is a remarkable, history-making woman, the only blind contestant ever and the season three winner of âMasterChef.â For Womenâs History Month, we asked her to share her story as inspiration for parents and their children who are visually impaired. The key takeaway? Anything is possible if youâre determined. FamilyConnect: … Continued