'Blind' child and parents

When parents learn that their child suffers from severe visual impairment which cannot be cured, they really despair. In the minds of most, the blind person is helpless, cannot look after himself, function normally or enjoy life. Things look even worse when it comes to a small child who has not had time to acquire experiences of the world.

Parents often blame themselves and torture themselves about whether they did something that was responsible for the child’s blindness.

Adapting to the reality of blindness is even more difficult if the child has other disabilities or if it seems different from other children.

The solution to the above problems is found by acquiring complete and correct information. Parents must learn to accurately diagnose the child's situation and know all new options of treatment which evolve from day to day. Gene therapy, for example, is gaining ground and gives hope for diseases so far thought incurable. Special advisers and special programmes can also help. Even getting to know other parents in a similar situation, can provide support and assistance, and a lot of useful practical information.

In any case, the important thing is for parents to realize that children with severe visual problems have many more similarities with other children than differences. With the love and affection of their parents they can become worthy and useful members of society, have a family and lead happy lives.