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| Caston with his mom, Teal, after attending a Parent and Me class at Blind Children's Learning Center |
“When Caston was born, doctors
questioned what my child would be able to do and told me not to be
optimistic. The specialists and therapists
at Blind Children’s Learning Center saw his potential. They are passionate about helping
children. They gave us hope,” said Teal.
Caston’s
family has much to celebrate this holiday season. Their two- year-old little boy has
accomplished great feats in the past nine months, thanks to Blind Children’s
Learning Center.
At six months
old Caston was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH), a congenital
condition characterized by the underdevelopment of the optic nerve and the
brain. Teal and Chaz, Caston’s parents,
described their little one as gazing upward, not responsive and his body was
tense. “He was like a tight baby ball.”
Caston’s
family needed help. Providing early intervention to children with ONH is
critical. Their brains are still in the process
of re-wiring and reconnecting. With the
help of their family Teal, Chaz and Caston relocated from across the country so
Caston could attend the Center.
The family’s
adventure began:
- · Blind Children’s Learning Center staff worked closely with Teal and Chaz in their home, answering their questions and helping them through the challenges.
- ·Therapists worked with Caston to help him learn to position his body and taught him to sit up. They worked on his sensory and feeding issues.
- ·Caston was introduced to a light box and other assessment toys which stimulated his vision.
- ·Teal and Caston started attending “Parent and Me” classes at Blind Children’s Learning Center and share a common bond with other families served by the Center.
After just nine
months of early intervention for his visual impairment, Caston is no longer
limited. He’s learned to track people’s
movements. His little tight body has
relaxed. He stretches and reaches out
with his hands open. Soon Caston will be
entering our Early Childhood Center onsite preschool.
