A collection of personal stories, articles, and news from the PRRF community.
When a little blind boy was born in small rural village in communist controlled Romania in 1985, no one could have imagined the story that would unfold. This blog tells the amazing story of Nicolae Crisan, born with detached retinas in both eyes, and how he makes his way to the United States at three years old. Nicolae not only overcomes the odds of being visually impaired, but his story proves that there’s life after blindness.
Read MoreWhen a little blind boy was born in small rural village in communist controlled Romania in 1985, no one could have imagined the story that would unfold. This blog tells the amazing story of Nicolae Crisan, born with detached retinas in both eyes, and how he makes his way to the United States at three years old. Nicolae not only overcomes the odds of being visually impaired, but his story proves that there’s life after blindness.
Read MoreIn Vienna back in 1760, Austrian naturalist and philosopher, Charles Bonnet noticed that his grandfather, who was suffering from cataracts, was seeing hallucinations. The phenomenon was named after Bonnet in 1982.
The most difficult aspect of CBS is that people don’t tell their doctors what they are experiencing because they think it is a mental health issue and are often embarrassed to speak up. CBS is a physical phenomenon not psychological and should be reported to your doctor.
Read MoreBefore Ray Charles, Diana Shurr and Andrea Bocelli, there was a Celtic harper named Turlough O’Carolan.
Born in 1670 in County Meath, Ireland, O’Carolan was the son of a blacksmith employed by the McDermot Roe family. Taking O’Carolan under her wing, Mrs. McDermot Roe became his benefactor and ensured that the boy received a good education. At an early age, he showed proficiency in poetry and verse. Nevertheless, he was destined to become a blacksmith like his father due to his low station in society.
Read MoreI’m not very good at being blind but I'm learning.
I have functioned with low vision all of my adult life. I used a large font phone, a large font computer, a white cane for travel, and public transportation to get to and fro, and door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities and seniors. I have managed ok.
Read MoreDo you know what is celebrated on October 15th each year? It is a significant day for those of us who are blind or visually impaired. October 15th is White Cane Day, designated by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
So where did white canes come from anyway?
Read MoreTo write the story of Helen Keller, one of our first advocates for disability rights, one must also write about Anne Sullivan, her teacher and lifelong companion. Each woman filled the needs of the other in such inexplicable, life-changing ways. They are true heroines in the history of the blind community.
Photo credit: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-USZ62-78983)
Read MoreSo, who is this fellow, Louis Braille, who came up with a raised dot alphabet which has given millions the gift of reading and writing? And how did he create a system that is largely unchanged since its inception nearly 200 years ago?
Read MorePRRF Supporter Jeanne McClellan writes about the advances in vision loss treatment that has positively impacted her life.
Read MoreWe were never given a choice, but if we had been, I would choose Sean all over again, exactly as he is. Because even though we are mostly stumbling and tripping along down the road instead of walking, we are still making forward progress.
Read MoreThanks to brilliant and visionary men and women, like those at PRRF, and the wonderful services PRRF provides, we will always have new opportunities and innovations to aid us in living with low vision or blindness.
Read MoreThe “experts” never say anything about how your role as a parent changes when your child becomes a young adult. Out of all the books and articles I have read about parenting there was nothing to prepare me for my young adult child.
Read MoreA rare disease is defined as any disease that affects a small percentage of the population, often fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Oftentimes, due to the rarity of these diseases and lack of a large patient population, gaining support and resources for treatment options is a challenge. Receiving a diagnosis of one of these rare diseases can leave an individual or family with a very isolated and lonely feeling
Read MoreThere seems to be something about twins that never fails to draw intrigued glances and the question, “Identical or fraternal?” Some claim it is that famed “twin telepathy,” others their shared birthday, age, and grade in school, and still others the relative rarity of birthing multiples. But being a twin myself—and one in especially unique circumstances—I know that the bond I share with my twin sister means more to me than any of this.
Read More“If you want to know how to treat a child with special needs, look at their sibling…they will show you.” I have no idea who wrote this quote, but I really like the sentiment. At the same time, I hate the phrase “special needs” in terms of a specific population of people or description of my son, in particular. I get lazy and do use it because it is such a widely accepted term, but I don’t like it. None of us have needs that are otherworldly. We are all unique and special in our own way.
Read MoreI was fifteen. It was the first day of my freshman year of high school. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and stressed out. I wasn't confident in finding my way around quite yet. My name is Jules, and I am blind.
Read MoreTanis has never let his blindness prevent him from moving up the fish ladder of life. He learns from every experience and uses each opportunity to set himself up for climbing to the next level. He also looks behind to pull others up along the way as he did in the blind and visually impaired program at East Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Read MoreSit back and be amazed. Your child is a gift. All children are amazing and special in their own ways. All children are unique. We have three boys, and we adore each one for their individual personality. We certainly don’t have a favorite child. But I will say, without reservation, Sean has opened our eyes, our hearts, and our minds to a whole new world.
Read MoreThe Roman poet Horace once said, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Ever since I stumbled across this quote in my English class, I have contemplated its meaning and all the ways in which it relates to me.
Recognizing that everyone’s situation is different, I share with you how these words have inspired me with the hope that others may find some inspiration in them, too.
Read MoreBrandon has never let his visual impairment keep him from “moving up the fish ladder of life”. He never stays at one level very long. He is proud of his accomplishments but most importantly, he is always looking for young fish behind him to get to the next level, whether it is by direct personal assistance or advising on the development of a phone applications, to help them be successful in a sighted world.
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