Information Helps

Do you have family members or friends that just don't "get it?" Maybe it's a relative that always says things like, "Well for a boy like that, I think he's doing so well." Those type of backwards compliments are hard to take and hard to fix.

Sorry, Tom will not listen to your low expectations.

How do you fix them? Education! Mostly, people are not intentionally cruel or thoughtless. They just don't understand blindness and what is possible today. Actually, most people don't understand disability at all. You probably never gave disability or blindness much thought until they effected your life either.

I have collected several articles that really explain a lot about blindness. Some are about the parents journey to understanding and advocating for their child.

There is no handbook for the family and friends of special kids but you can arm your family with information. Maybe you don't want to forward this exact blog post to them and make an uncomfortable situation, but you could cut and paste the links into an email or share the links on Facebook.

Or maybe you are the parent of a newly diagnosed blind child? These articles can really help shape your perceptions of blindness and your expectations. I wish I had these articles to read when I learned that Thomas was blind.

Blind Enough For a Cane?

Why Would You Want to Make that Child Blind?

A Letter to New Parents - Living with Microphthalmia

Put Your Head Up and Smile!

Gauges, Tires, and Pistons

Maegan's Story

Sports and Recreation for Young Blind Children

Brave and bold. Tom doesn't let anything hold him back.