How Blaze Sees and Hears...

Last month, I took Blaze to see a new pediatric developmental eye doctor at Emory, as requested by his opthamologist. This time they were able to get a more accurate eye exam. As suspected, Blaze has moderate vision loss as well as other eye conditions. Blaze's vision and hearing problems, just like most of his other medical diagnoses they think is linked to the congenital CMV infection that he was born with. Congenital CMV is a terrible infection. More info on CMV can be found HERE

Deaf-Blind Defined...

With this latest vision checkup and his hearing loss he is now considered deaf-blind child. However, to often people misunderstand what it means to be deaf-blind. It doesn't always mean your child is totally blind and profoundly deaf. Here is a better explanation from the GSAP website...

"When we hear the term deaf-blind, we often imagine a person who is unable to hear or see anything. This is typically not the case. A range of vision and hearing loss can occur in combination. Functional levels may vary from hard-of-hearing and partially sighted to profoundly deaf and totally blind. Many children who are deaf-blind also have additional physical and intellectual disabilities and complex health needs."

AND

"From the Code of Federal Regulations:   Deaf-blindness means concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness. 34 CFR 300.8 (c) (2)"

No Blaze can not hear (even with hearing aids). He is considered profoundly deaf and he is NOT a candidate for CIs. He will mostly likely spend his entire life not hearing, unless they come out with something new in the future for kids like Blaze. However, Blaze can see. Even without his glasses on (he hates wearing them) he can see. No he doesn't see great, but he can see. Our goal is to continue to work with these developmental vision specialists in hopes of maintaining the vision he has. 

For more information visit the GSAP Website

 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he will direct thy paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6