Hi Everyone,
Collin will be turning 5 on March 4th (I can't believe it!). He is in preschool now and has developed quite a personality. It seems everyone knows who Collin is, (Not that they have a choice, he talks to everyone.). He manages to touch the heart of everyone he comes in contact with.
Collin has continued to amaze everyone with all he can do. I have stopped wondering when he is going to have a problem because of his vision. He finds a way to adapt to any situation. He does tend to avoid doing the things that are hard for him. At school he chooses not to color,paint or do any fine motor activities. However I again feel so lucky to have such good people to work with Collin.
I have the Board of Education Services For The Blind (BESB). Who have given me a wonderful vision Teacher, her name is Cindy Estanich and she has been part of our lives since Collin was a baby (about 2 months old). She has been a great Person to give us information on things that will help Collin use the vision he has. I will be very sad to see her leave us when Collin turns 5. Then they will give us a new person who will follow Collin through school.
I also Have the Best preschool program. It is an Early Intervention Program at our school here in Cheshire. Collin began going there when he was 2. The Teachers there are wonderful. The program has Children with disabilities along with Typical piers. The Children who need therapy get it in the class room. Such as, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy or speech. It is all done in fun and the kids love it.
I am a little worried now that Collin is getting older. Things get a little more difficult for him. Kids are starting to notice that his eye's are different and Collin will also have to learn to read Braille. It will be to hard for him to use his eye's all day at school to do the work. He also has a hard time using crayons, pencils markers and such. He can not hold them properly because his hand gets in the way of his sight when he writes. I am sure however, that he will again adapt for this.
I am blessed with a wonderful support system for Collin. His Brother's love him dearly and he loves and looks up to them with all his heart. As a family we try to treat him as normal as possible. Of course there are times he needs cues from us but we don't make a big deal out of things. We tell him when there is a step he might not otherwise be able to see or if it is dark he needs to hold a hand to help guide him. For the most part he is as normal as any other kid. He is making all kinds of friends at school. He has a very outgoing personality and does not have a problem expressing himself. He is very smart for his age and is very eager to learn.
