https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x Ben's story. My story. Our story. en-us 2017-09-22 23:51:22 UTC 2025-01-31 21:02:45 UTC hello@padlet.com mckennacase https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318221 His story. My story. Our story. ]]> 2017-09-22 23:53:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318221 mckennacase https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318377 Being a parent to Ben is the biggest blessing I have had in my life. He shows me true strength, happiness, and perseverance. Seeing him get frustrated with daily tasks that are easy for other children make me feel sad and even hopeless at times. On the other hand, seeing Ben overcome obstacles and light up with the biggest smile on his face saying, "Look mommy! I did it!" makes me feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to be his mother. Accommodating daily life was hard at first, but you truly get the hang of things after a little while. With every age, comes new accommodations and new break-throughs. For example, we baby proofed the house as an infant, but will leave it this way his entire life because he can easily fall or run into things. All of our furniture is rounded and we made sure not to place sharp objects in places that could be easily reached. Although I know that life will be harder for Benjamin, I also know that this is a major factor in what makes him so special. He finds true joy in the little things and has found creative ways around every problem. It is a gift to watch him grow up. Ben is only five years old, but has taught me a lifetime of knowledge about determination, true love, happiness, and acceptance. ]]> 2017-09-22 23:55:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318377 mckennacase https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318958 Physically, there are not many differences between Ben and other children that are his age. While his eyes look somewhat different than his peers, it is hardly noticeable. In fact, if you were to look at Ben and his friends side by side, it is not obvious that Ben is blind at all. In the future, it may only be evident if he has a seeing eye dog or a cane for navigation. 

Mentally, Ben is extremely smart. At his age, his test scores are average and he thoroughly enjoys listening to stories and asking questions about what he hears. However, Ben is different from his classmates in some ways. For example, he gets extremely frustrated sometimes when he has to sit for long periods of time and has a short attention span. He also gets irritated when he falls down or bumps into things. As a parent of a child who is blind, I know that Ben will have days where he is more frustrated than others. He will also typically have a better sense of hearing than others his age because he does not have his eyesight. Therefore, his other senses are functioning at an increased level. 

Emotionally, Ben is no different than any other five year old boy. He loves to have stories read to him about action and adventure. He loves to play games on the computer that are created specifically for blind children, much like video games that other little boys play. He also loves to swim, listen to the waves on the beach, and run in the sand or open fields. Emotionally, Ben is just like every other child his age, but his appreciation and love for life is unlike anything I have witnessed in another person. ]]> 2017-09-23 00:03:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190318958 mckennacase https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190319572 As a parent, you want the very best for your child. Therefore, I have found some of the best eye care doctors in the field that see Ben on a weekly basis. We also belong to a club for blind children and their parents. At this club, we learn to read in braille, the children get to play with toys created specifically for blind children, and the parents get to talk to one another, share stories, and give advice. After Ben was diagnosed with blindness at birth, the doctor sent him to an eye care specialist. At this first meeting, I learned all about what resources are available, the best known doctors in the field, and various organizations to help fund medical bills since they can become overwhelming. There are also various websites and organizations made specifically for parents who have blind children.]]> 2017-09-23 00:15:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190319572 mckennacase https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190319913 Financially, the doctors appointments and assistive technology definitely piles up. Not to mention the money spent on gas and airfare that is purchased in order to go all over the country looking for answers. Luckily, I have great benefits for my profession that allows me to have great medical insurance and time off when needed to take Ben to appointments and such. There are also thousands of scholarships that I can apply for in order to stay on top of things. Every month, I try and apply for at least one in order to deposit this money into Ben's bank account. One day, he will have to attend these doctor's appointments on his own and I want him to be financially stable. Living without vision is already a big enough burden. My hope for Ben is to persevere and find a job that makes him truly happy. We live in such a beautiful country that supports individuals with disabilities, so I know that one day, Ben can land his dream job just like anyone else.]]> 2017-09-23 00:20:40 UTC https://padlet.com/mckennacase/sf79pm2nrd3x/wish/190319913