Low Expectations

He loves to play with doors.

Do you know what Thomas can do? Well actually, even I don't know what he is capable of. I have to wait for him to show me, and he shows me new things every day. Thomas has limitless potential and his blindness doesn't effect that. I expect him to be doing what kids his age are doing and he does. Sure, there are some things he lags behind in, but there are other things that he is incredible at. Sounds just like any other kid to me.

Out with his cane.

The problem is many parents and professionals don't think that blind children are as capable as sighted children. I see examples of this all the time. People are surprised that Thomas is: walking, using a cane, walking up the stairs, turning door knobs, and trailing around his home to get where he wants to go. Tom just has to figure out a different way of doing things; and he does! 

It makes me so sad to hear that people (even some parents) say that their child is not normal, or suggest that there is something broken or wrong with their child because they are blind. Kids are always listening and they hear your negative attitudes and internalize them. 

I have sometimes had to be a bit curt with strangers, even well meaning ones, that persist in saying that Thomas is "sad," or a "poor thing." He is a very happy little boy and I don't want him to hear that kind of talk. Aren't the strangers just being nice? I'm sure they don't mean any harm but I don't want Thomas to start to feel that he is less than other people because he can't see. That is the message that I am trying to block Thomas from at all costs.

I also don't want him to think I'm going to go easy on him or expect less from him because he is blind. It makes me crazy when someone says "if he learns Braille." Um...Tom is blind. To be literate he will need to learn Braille. There is no other option! There is no if! The next thing that happens is someone will say that Braille is too hard. Well, Braille is a code for English and we expect children to learn that. 

It is commonly suggested that children do not need Braille anymore because we have computers and audiobooks now. Technology is excellent but it is absolutely no replacement for literacy. If someone suggested that you not teach your sighted children to read and instead rely on audio books and technology, you would be outraged, right? 

Why would I deny Thomas the tools he needs to succeed and become an independent adult? A proper education is essential for his future and I intend to make sure he gets one.

We recently had some evaluations by our local intermediate unit as part of the transition/application to preschool since we have chosen our local school for the blind. They thought Thomas was amazing and they thought I was amazing. While that sure is nice to hear, it also makes me sad because it means that by getting Tom the services he deserves he is obviously getting way more than other blind children are getting. 

Learning shapes with his Teacher of the Visually Impaired.

I must be weird because I can't wait for Thomas to go to preschool. Seriously, I'm so excited for him. He needs more than I can give him right now. He needs friends and interaction and structure. He has really taken to his weekly preschool readiness group. I can tell that he would stay all day if he could. I think his language skills will be forced out once he is in school and his mom is not there anticipating his every need. I do it without even thinking! But at school he will be with a group of children and have to use his voice to get what he wants and I think that will make a big difference. 

I can't wait for all the big things coming up for Thomas. My expectations are high!