By Tracie, wife to Richard and mum to Annalise (May 2007), Imogen (August 2011) and Joel (Jan 2010), who has PHPV or PFVS
A blog about having a child with PHPV or PFVS
A blog about having a child with PHPV or PFVS
Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous
also known as
Persistent Fetal Vasculature Syndrome
and micropthalmia (small eye)
Our experiences with 3 surgeries, 2 EUA's, patching, contact lenses, scleral shells, prosthetic eyes, emotions, places to get support, links to other sites and general info on vision impairment. I really hope my blog helps and educates and I would love to hear from you with any questions you have, or even if you just need to talk to someone who has "been there, done that".
traciereinikka@hotmail.com
Perth, Western Australia
Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous
also known as
Persistent Fetal Vasculature Syndrome
and micropthalmia (small eye)
Our experiences with 3 surgeries, 2 EUA's, patching, contact lenses, scleral shells, prosthetic eyes, emotions, places to get support, links to other sites and general info on vision impairment. I really hope my blog helps and educates and I would love to hear from you with any questions you have, or even if you just need to talk to someone who has "been there, done that".
traciereinikka@hotmail.com
Perth, Western Australia
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Kindy at the Guide Dog Association
I have been thinking about joining a playgroup for kids with vision impairment. I called up the Guide Dog Association after they came up in a google search. When I spoke tot he Receptionist, she said they didn't have a playgroup or know of one, BUT they do have a 3 year old kindy program. To say I was excited is an understatement! Joel is so ready for school, every day when we drop Annalise off he wants to stay, he even packs his bag every morning just like her and keeps saying "my school, mummy?" I was going to put him in the 3 year old kindy that was recommended to me by another mum but this program at the Guide Dog Association would be perfect for him. He will be 3 in January so I've filled out the forms and we're just waiting to hear back if he's been accepted. They also do a different program to help visually impaired kids, I guess it's kind of like vision therapy. I've filled out the forms for them to get all of his information from his surgeon so hopefully they can help him with that too.
He hasn't worn his prosthetic in a while. He really objects to having it put in, like REALLY. He just never seemed to get used to having it done and most days, would go and lay on the floor for ages after having it put in. I had to restrain him and hold him down on the ground. I just felt like I am the one who is supposed to nurture him and love and protect him, and here I am every day, forcing him to have the eye put in. I really hope that he asks for it when he's ready, we've been talking about it and I've told him it's there and if he wants to wear it, he can. I always said that if it didn't work out with the eye, that's ok. He's still 99% oblivious to the fact he's different, sometimes he does look in the mirror and point to his eye and say "broken". A year ago, the thought of that would have sent me into floods of tears but now, it's just like :yeah, baby, it's broken but you're ok!"
There was a disco at Annalise's school the other day and all the kids stood in a circle and stared at him. I felt so bad for him. It is so hard to see them all staring. Then they went up to their mums and were saying "that kid has a weird eye" and things like that. I wish their mums would ask what was "wrong" with it or something, instead of just saying "oh ok, go play". We have moved and the new school only has about 150 kids so everyone will know him eventually and it would be good for them to actually know what's gone on with him and why his eye looks like that.
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I hope he gets into that program! It sounds wonderful. I'm sure when he is ready and maybe understands a bit more he will ask for his eye. I feel the same way about holding down Julia to put in her contact. It is not fun at all.
ReplyDeleteGoo luck tracie. I just want to say that you are inspiring how you parent. You have always been a wonderful Mum. xxx Leonie
ReplyDeleteWow LJ, so good to hear from you. And thank you xx
ReplyDeleteThanks too kitty :-)