Blind / Sight Impaired Adoption

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Blind / Sight Impaired

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Facts about Blind / Sight Impaired

Blindness in children can result from a birth defect that affects the proper development of the eyes. Certain infections can also cause blindness while the baby is in the womb or after birth. Some children with visual defects such as drooping eyelids, cataracts, or crossed eyes may lose their ability to see if these conditions are not corrected early in life. Proper vision requires feedback from the brain from visual images that the child sees daily.

Challenges

Human beings are very adaptable and much can be learned by children who have visual challenges. Start early!

For the adoptive family, it is a great challenge to embrace the unknown when the health/medical information do not indicate the degree or permanency of blindness in a child.

Treatment

Early intervention and prompt treatment of all infections can prevent or limit the amount of damage done to the eyes.

Surgical correction can improve sight for some children.

If a child is born blind, stimulating the other senses is vital to normal development and well-being. Providing music, offering blankets and toys of various textures, and describing the immediate environment are ways to encourage a child to develop non-visual senses.

As the child grows older, it is important to encourage independence through the performance of daily life activities such as eating and dressing.

Blind children can attend college and grow to become upstanding, productive members of society. Instilling a positive attitude and encouraging independence will help your child come to terms with blindness in the healthiest way possible and lead a fulfilling life.


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Articles On Blind / Sight Impaired

Blind international adoption referrals.
Blind referrals

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Resources

Suggest a Link/Resource

Shriner's Hospital: Free Medical Care for SN Children

National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI),

National Federation of the Blind

Yahoo Group for parents of VI children

American Foundation for the Blind