Understanding

Something I have thought about somewhat often:
I have no idea what it must be like to be a parent discovering that your child is blind and/or have other disabilities. I can only imagine that it is a long grieving process for dozens of reasons. That the grieving process can start all over again everytime a major milestone would happen with kids who don't have these disabilities would be reaching, such as driving. That it must be even more frustrating and hard when you discover there are other disabilities to go along with visual impairment. Is it worse if you find out your child is blind when they are born? Or is it worse if it happens, for whatever the reason, later? Is it the same? Is it not worse, but somehow different? What's it like if the child has low vision vs. no vision? I know it depends on the kids too.

I have to be truly honest about that. I don't know. I've spoken with dozens of parents and I listen with compassion. I know that they have so much to deal with. I know it can be overwhelming. If you are parent, you are not alone in dealing with this. Yes, your child is very unique in their own special way, which is one of the reasons I love teaching, but there are parents that can share stories. I can only do my best to imagine what it must be like. I don't have children at all at this time of my life, so imagining is what I have to do.

My students, my visually impaired students or multiply-disabled students, come to me the way they are. Sometimes they had vision within a few years of coming to me, sometimes they've just lost their sight, sometimes they are about to lose their sight, and sometimes they were born without their sight. They are with me for that reason. I hope that makes some sense?

I love my job and I love my students. I only take a look at how what they knew visually before they have come to me affects what they kn0w now (this can make up several posts all in its own). I take a look at what they've learned in their education. I look at how well they can take care of themselves and I look at whether or not they need braille or large print.

I work with a wonderful team and we gather as much information on the child as we can: how they learn, what they need for the future, etc. Then we sit down and compile all this information into these, what I can only imagine is overwhelming to parents, reports.

I always try to keep my reports in wording that makes sense, but even I know that it is not always possible. I know we all try to help parents, and other team members, understand what we are saying and why, but we do need the questions so we can understand what they don't know and want to know. I want parents to speak up and ask! I always feel bad when I discover a parent has been confused about something for years. I also feel bad when I don't know the information off the top of my head, but I also do my best to go find something or someone who has that information.