My Inspiration
My daughter Parker, was 5 months old when we found out that she was blind. Her diagnosis is Optic Nerve Hyperplasia (ONH). I remember when the doctor told me she was blind, and that there was no cause and no cure, how stunned and numb I became. I walked out of the doctor’s office with no support, no answers, and no idea where to go from that point.
I believe I went into survival mode and was in a haze. A friend of my mother’s gave us some information on a school that helped children with disabilities. I started making phone calls for help and was grateful to find therapist for Parker. However, I didn’t know any other parents that had a blind child. I didn’t even know anyone that was blind. There was no one that could truly relate to what I was going through.
After Parker’s little sister Reagan was born, I started looking at my life and realized I needed to make changes. I went back to school and finished my undergrad and got my degree in Elementary Education. My marriage to their father fell apart. I decided that the best place for Parker to be educated would be at the Arkansas School for the Blind. This meant that we needed to move to Little Rock. I started my job hunt and interviewed with ASB. Not only did I get a job at ASB, but I found the support that I needed and the peace of mind that Parker was going to be ok. I went on to get my Master’s of Special Education with an emphasis in teaching the visually impaired at UALR.
I taught fifth grade at ASB for 5 years. I loved it. However ASB started a toddler program and needed an Early Intervention Coordinator. I was very interested in not only working with blind and visually impaired babies, but also with their parents. I found that my being a parent of a visually impaired child meant so much to these parents. They were in need of support, networking, and making connections with other parents that were experiencing similar situations as them.
Mary Rose Bushland was one of the babies on my caseload. I met with her mom Patty and father Dave. Within 10 minutes of us all talking together, we literally decided to co-found the Arkansas Chapter of NAPVI. There was such a need for support of families like ours. We believe supporting the parents by having meetings, camps, fundraisers, newsletter, and other activities; we are better serving children across the state to ensure that they bloom to their full potential!
Note: I’m blessed to have Parker (who is now eleven) in my life. I thank God that He trusted me to raise her. She has been an inspiration to me and many others. Parker doesn’t mind being blind. She is a very happy child. She was in The Repertory Theatre’s production of The Miracle Worker, she’s been in a commercial, and is an avid Braille reader. When asked if she ever wished to have vision, her answer was this, “Yes, for at least five minutes. I want to see my momma’s face, a sunset at the ocean, and see my own face”. Parker deserves my best efforts.
