INSPIRING STORIES

I have asked my friends to write a story of their experiences about their child's eye condition. The most traumatic time is when you find out your child is blind whether it be bilaterally or unilaterally.

If your child is Physically challenged.....

Learning that your child is different summons up a host of emotions, including fear, anger, and self-blame. "Nobody prepares you for this possibility," says Los Angeles therapist Nancy Miller,Ph.D., author of Nobody's Perfect: Living and Growing with Children who Have Special Needs (Paul H. Brookes). She offers these suggestions for smoothing the way not just for your child but for your entire family.

Work through your emotions by talking to your partner or other parents whose children are similarly challenged, or seek counseling.

Focus on the whole child , not just the impairment.

Treat the impairment matter-of-factly. Your child and their siblings will take their cues from you.

Choose your words carefully. Refrain from referring to, say, a clubfoot, as your child's "bad" foot. "Different" is a neutral concept.

Don't be overprotective. The best way to protect your child is to help her be as independent as possible.

Look at your child's difference as a challenge rather than a tragedy. "Come up with creative ways to help your child do things," says Dr. Miller. If she doesn't have a hand, she can still jump rope if you tie the rope around her wrist.

Take comfort in knowing that your child and family will grow from this experience. Many families of challenged children become closer. And, adds Dr. Miller, "sometimes a limitation in one area can motivate a child to excel in other areas."