As soon as the baby is born, the mother and father become attached to their child through touch – through holding, carrying, and playing with their baby. The world of movement begins, and it is the parents who are the first educators of their child. This holds true for visually impaired children too.
The magical transformation of the helpless infant into the curious, assertive and capable little three-year-old, is fascinating to observe. To anyone who has watched an infant in the first three years of life, the important role of vision in leading, motivating and clarifying experiences and interactions will be evident.
By Namita Jacob
Listed below is the normal visual development sequence of a child.
Is your child deviating from this sequence?
What signs do you watch out for to know that your child might be having a visual disability? Namita Jacob provides a checklist.
Parenthood is all about nurturing and looking after your offspring. It is never too early to start helping your child toward eventual independent decision making, be it grooming, self-care or self-image.
Parents have a big role to play in helping their child gain the organisational skills necessary for success, both at school and in later life.
Parents have a big role to play in helping their child gain the organisational skills necessary for success, both at school and in later life.
Here are some suggestions for how to begin:
Blues singer and guitarist
Visual impairment : Blind since birth
Date of Birth : July, 1897
Died : December, 1929
The youngest of seven children and son of Alec and Cassie Jefferson, Lemon was born in Coutchman, near Wortham in Freestone County, Texas, in July 1897 (an estimated date since no records are available. Although his birth has long been placed in July of 1897, research almost a century later uncovered a census record that listed his birth in September of 1893). He was born blind and was known all his life as Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Tenor Singer
Visual impairment : blind at twelve years
Born : September 22, 1958
Bocelli was born with an inherited form of glaucoma, which only got worse as he aged. When he was twelve years old, he was hit with a soccer ball and went completely blind. The traditions of the region, and the strong influence of his parents who taught their son never to simply accept defeat, rather to draw strength from it, have left indelible impressions on the man.
Ballet Dancer
Visual impairment : Due to retinal detachment
Born : December 21, 1921
One of the most outstanding ballet dancers, Alicia Alonso from Cuba is a recipient of the Prix Benois de la Danse (Prize Benois of the Dance) lifetime achievement for devoting her entire life to artistic contributions. She may be well past her retirement age but is a much sought after dancer even today.
Composer / Pianist
Visual impairment : Blind since birth
Born : 4 July, 1909
Alec Templeton was born in Cardiff, Wales (UK) and was blessed with absolute pitch. He began his musical studies at an early age in his hometown and later studied at the London Academy of Music. At 18, he composed "Trio for flute, oboe and piano" for which he was complimented by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Blues singer
Visual impairment : Blind since birth
Date of Birth : August 16, 1915
Hibbler was a very popular baritone singer in the 40's and 50's who rose to fame with the Duke Ellington band. His deep tone, distinctive phrasing and inflections were readily identifiable.
Esref Armagan
Artist
“No one can call me blind. I can see more with my fingers than most sighted people do with their eyes” This is what Esref Armagan says about himself, and rightly so.
Artist
Visual impairment : Vasculitis
Born: 1948
The mind’s eye is something we have all heard of. Lisa Fittipaldi goes on to show us what it really is. Lisa is an incredible artist who began to paint only after she lost her sight.
It all started when her husband thrust a child’s watercolour box on her so she could get over her depression and stress that had overpowered her when she learnt her loss of sight was permanent.
Writer
Nature of visual impairment: Went blind at three years
Born: 21 March, 1934
Ved (Prakash) Mehta, the fifth of seven children and second son of Doctor Amolak Ram Mehta and Shanti (Mehra) Mehta, was born in Lahore, in the Punjab, then in British India, and now in Pakistan.
Actor, singer, author, producer
Visual impairment: Blind due to oxygen oversupply during incubation at birth
Born: 27 March 1947 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
"Any negative can be turned into positive." This is one of the many "Sullivan's Rules". As an actor, singer, author, producer and motivational speaker, he empowers those around him with his lifelong commitment to achieve.
Born prematurely, Tom was administered an over dose of oxygen while in the incubator. Tom lost his eyesight. But, he never allowed blindness to restrict his way of life.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Visual impairment: Retinitis pigmentosa
Born: April 4, 1969
"My struggle and impediments in life came more from my family than the outside world,” says Vikram Dalmia. A successful entrepreneur and cricketer, he had to fight attitudinal barriers within his family to make a mark for himself. His conviction proved him right.
Entrepreneur
Visual impairment : Became blind at 28 years due to an accident
On December 28, 1990, Siddharth was 24-and-a-half-years old. Enthusiastic about a fast paced environment at Fascination India, he was enjoying every moment. His life changed forever that night in a motorcycle accident. He lost vision in both eyes. However, he did not let that come in the way of his growth as an individual.
Professional
Visual impairment : Blinded by an accident
He had always wanted to be a microbiologist. “My parents wanted me to do medicine so they encouraged me to apply and I got a seat,” he remembers. “After completing medicine, I went back to Microbiology, but the only difference being that now it is Medical Microbiology and not Industrial Microbiology.”
Business and Professionals
Born: July 12, 1951
Visual impairment : Lost eyesight at the age of four following a cataract operation
"Its all in my brain, whether it’s account-keeping, recruitment or staff management”, says Shivaji Laxman Chavhan who does not use any computer or any software; his high-powered concentration, memory and insight give him the necessary skills to run his travel business.
Banking professional and social entrepreneur
Blind: From birth
An old Japanese proverb says, "Fall seven times, stand up the eight". Paul Mudda has certainly stood up several times. But for him the falls were twice as painful. Grappling with being visually challenged as well as coping with the trauma of being an orphan is a daunting prospect. Yet Paul has overcome every hurdle in life and stands today as an epitome of inspiration.
Facebook comments