Sometimes We Need a Little Help!

It is amazing to watch Gabe grow and adapt. He is making huge gains in so many areas-two big ones are coloring and cutting. Gabe has had some wonderful help including a vision impairment consultant that comes in to work with him 1x a week. She also works with Gabe's teachers to adapt things for him.


Getting ready to cute his homework paper...If you notice, the lines for him to cut on are very black. The lines were dotted, but he came to me and asked me to darken the lines for him. This is awesome because he is learning what he needs to be successful! He is advocating for his own needs!

And so sweet as he cut he kept telling me, "Thank you momma for helping me."

At school he also told his teacher on the first day that he couldn't see the book and needed to move closer. I think he is going to have a fantastic Kindergarten year!!!

Another Great Check-Up!!

Gabe had a phenomenal check up on his eyes today! Today was his 6 month in office check (he had his last under anesthesia check in Dec.) and he was so cooperative! Not that he hasn't been in the past, but everyone in the office was impressed with how he just went with the check, the drops, and he let them take his eye pressure! To do this, they put a pen like thing on the eyeball after they numb the eye with drops. So, when the doc came in, did a quick exam and told us that the success of his surgery in China and the gains he has made has surpassed any expectations he had for Gabe and his vision! He will never have 20/20, but now we can wait 9 months to go back!!! Thank you Lord for protecting Gabie's eyes and for the vision he has!! Thank you, Thank you!!

On another note, Gabe has been busting to go see Cars 2 at the theater (it opened today). I was dreading it coming out as I was not sure he would be able to go. The last movie we took Gabe to that was in 3D, he could not put the 3D glasses on over his glasses and did not like the feel of the big 3D glasses (I am not sure what he could see with them on anyway). So, he watched Nomeo & Juliet blurry. But, tonight I checked our theater times for Cars 2 and they are showing a 2D version!!! Yay!! I may just have to send a thank you letter to our theater for offering this version! Not to mention, I hate paying the extra money for 3D anyway!

A beautiful Article on Adopting a Child with Visual Impairments

http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=647

Advocating

There is a little boy on an agency's special focus list with a diagnosis of congenital glaucoma. Here is the report on him:

xxx a handsome little boy who has recently turned 5 years old. He has been in care since he was a baby. xxx has a diagnosis of congenital glaucoma. His medical and orphanage reports are old, so we are hoping for updates. We know that at the time of the reports, he was developmentally on target. We also know he was/is as cute as can be and in need of a family. He was a very bright toddler, who was able to remember the names of everyone in his "class" and would take items to them when asked by the nannies. He has a good appetite and loves semi-congealed jellied bean curd (better get the recipe....). xxxx is a cute little guy who needs someone to give him the love and attention he deserves. And maybe some toys, too. xxxxx is a Special Focus child and is eligible for adoption by a single parent.

**I am willing to share his photo with anyone who is interested in this little guy! email me at jessdanielson@live.com

DOB Jan. 7, 2006 - glaucoma

I am not sure at this time if he has had surgery like Gabe to relieve the glaucoma, but this is a need so close to our hearts...If we were in a position to adopt again, I would scoop him up! I have said it many times, that although vision needs are scary, with Gabe's glaucoma, we very rarely think of it. He lives everyday just like any other child. Yes, he may not be able to drive someday, but there could be thousands of reasons that could effect any adult later in life making them unable to drive. As with Gabe, this little boy's biggest need is a FAMILY! Take time with me today to pray for this little guy and that his family finds him soon!!



Jess

The gift of sight

Which is what I feel like we have been granted with our sweet Gabe. The surgery that he had in China is a huge success and the doctor says that with this surgery, we usually see lifelong success! Yayyyyy!!!! The damage that Gabe's eyes had before cannot be reversed, but the things he does see is a gift.
Gabe's eyes looked great as well as his pressure! What a blessing!

All clear...

Gabe got the all clear by our family doctor today to be cleared for surgery next month...ok not technically surgery. Gabe is having his eye exam and pressure check under anesthesia (same as last year). The only thing that would stop things would be if he developed a fever or a bad respiratory infection as he has a small cold right now. It is about now I start praying that all is still stable with Gabie's eyes. I am also looking forward to getting him some new glasses with transition lenses! Will update you on Dec. 10th on how our exam goes!

On a related, but slightly different note...we had conferences with Gabe's preschool teacher last week. She is concerned about some of his large motor and most of his fine motor development. I too had noticed especially in his cutting and drawing skills how behind he is. We work on some of it at home, but some of it is due to his vision and I am sure a lot of it has to do with his first 3.5 yrs. Last year at his IEP the OT/PT consultant felt that Gabe was not far enough behind to warrant services, which really bothered me. I felt that part of it was that because I am a teacher, I somehow had the magic wand to improve this area of Gabe's development. Granted, we have seen so many gains in all of the areas he struggled in a year ago, but those motor skills are heightened by his vision loss. It still blows me away how little muscle tone he had in China and how off his gate was in running and walking. So.....I put in a request for OT/PT testing based on a development motor test that he took in preschool and observances from his teacher and myself. After I gave the letter to the center director, the vision impairment specialist came in to do an observation and she too noticed that he is having a tough time in the motor areas! Well, we are on it and trying to get a little additional help and will continue to plug away. I already know that I will not be sending him to Kindergarten next year, so we have some time to grow!

A DSi in Gabe's future??

So for a few months now, Gabe has been asking for a DS like his big brother and sister. The sad news for him was that the screen is just too small. As it is, his leapster screen is borderline (he does pretty well with it), but the DS screen is smaller. Today one of my co-workers talked about how her son just got a DSi XL. I inquired and then did some research tonight and found out that this new DSi has a screen that is much larger and the system itself is larger with a larger sylis. How awesome is that!??? Probably not to many people, but for a kiddo with vision loss, this is awesome! When he is old enough, a DS like his brother and sister may just be in his future! One more hurdle down!