Hunter started his weekly vision therapy appointments a couple weeks ago. Along with meeting with his therapist (Audrey), we do daily therapy at home. I have to admit that I was bummed when I found out we had to do therapy every day (except for the days he meets with Audrey) because I feel like the evenings are already full with supper, homework, baths/showers, etc. However, the therapy has been nothing but fun for Hunter. 1st of all, it's a time where nothing he answers is wrong, which I think is refreshing for him since school has been such a challenge this year. We can't really argue with how he sees things during therapy so there's no stress!! Plus, it's all been very active, which is perfect for our little boy!!
The above picture shows one of the games he has this week. Hunter and Brian (who, yes, is wearing Snoopy pants..ha!) have to use a small straw to suck a small piece of paper (you can see Hunter's flying off) and race across the room with it. The point is that he each time he has to suck up the paper, his eyes have to focus is on the task. I think the other kids wish they could do his fun games and it makes him feel good to have his own fun thing with Mom and Dad!
Another confession I have is that I did cry his 1st therapy session, which I felt bad about. I haven't made a big deal to Hunter about the issues he's been facing this year. We have a "everyone learns differently" attitude and I am always positive with him about school. When the Dr. Winter first discussed his eye issues with me, I requested he not be in the room so that I could cry and speak openly about it. So, to cry in front of him and have to answer questions about school was tough. However, even when I told a friend (and not Nichole, who is emotionally invested in my kids!) that Audrey said (and I quote) "Life is probably pretty hard for him right now.", she cried, too! It's not the worst thing in the whole world but it's just hard to have your child struggle! I had to explain to him afterward that I was definitely not crying because of how God made him but because I feel bad that he has to work so hard with his eyes.
But, I am thankful that his issues have been diagnosed. We've seen that his left eye turns outward when the right one turns inward for tasks such as reading. He also experiences some double vision. Is it any wonder school is a challenge?! Audrey may request some more testing but we're unsure on that yet. Even with just 1 week of therapy, his tracking was slightly improved so I think the consistency will pay off!!
Oh my gosh Rikki, I so understand your emotion over Hunter's difficulties. I went throught exactly the same thing with Gabriel. I was angry and didn't even know it until one day I was talking on the phone with JoDee and she pointed it out. Then she asked me who exactly I was angry with and I realized it was God. I was angry that he wasn't perfect, he wasn't a genius, that everything didn't come easily to him. Ohhhh how I sobbed that day in my laundry room! That was at least 5 years ago and now, I am so grateful for that trouble he had/has. Gabe is such a hard worker, he doesn't shrink back from it, you can't keep him down, he gets back up and tries again and doesn't need anyone to stay on him to make sure he is doing his work and doing his very best job. He would have never learned that without his "problems", so I am thankful now. But, oh how it hurt then! Hang in there mama and trust that all will work for his good!
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