Savannah lives in a Sighted world. Her relationship with the blind world consists of learning Braille 3 times a week with Mr Marshall, OT with Nana once a month, her mentor Megan, and her blind friends from Braille Camp. So when the invitation to the National Federation of the Blind Weber/Davis Chapter lunch at Pepperbellie's in Kaysville arrived I decided it was time for Savannah to see her summer friends again. First I made sure they were attending. I called Bethy's mom Suzanne and Chase's mom Cheralyn. They agreed to attend. Then for moral support we invited Megan along. She was not planning to attend but jumped at the chance to go with us.
Saturday we picked up Megan and went to the Party. Megan turned 16 last week. Savannah picked out a scarf, Reese's peanut butter cups, and a hello kitty bag for her belated gift.
We brought Megan along because she knows everyone and has been doing activities like this since she was little. It is nice to be shown the ropes. We greeted Barbie, the Chapter president, and Ron Gardner the last State President and his wife. They live in bountiful by Dicks Market. His wife is so friendly and I feel loved and taken care of around her. It is so weird, but I feel close to her without knowing her. Even the new NFB State President graced us with his presence, Everett.
Bethy 8, Savy 7, Chase 7
The kids sat together. Savy and Bethy chatted away and ate chips til their mouths were too spicy.
Suzanne, Cheralyn, Megan and I sat together and talked about how our kids were doing in Second Grade. Chase and Savy are doing well. Savy should maintain her current vision and progress well. Chase will eventually loose more vision and they expect him to have the same vision by his late teens as Cheralyn, 20/200. Bethy is expected to be blind soon. She was diagnosed last year and her vision has deteriorated drastically. Right now she cannot see well enough to read print, and she is not proficient in braille to read it. She is without a written language currently. School is a mess. She does not have a working IEP. My heart is broken for her and her Mom fighting for services and to understand what technology is out there for her. Cheralyn was appalled at the situation and will help Suzanne get services implicated in the classroom. I realize how blessed I am to have Marla and Megan to help me with Savannah's IEP.
I sat at that table with all situations around me. Children going blind, adults born blind, husbands who went blind after 30 years of marriage and a wife who helped him through it. Blind mothers and fathers. My heart was filled with gratitude for MY life and MY challenges. My heartache over Savannah has been lessened as I see strong examples of successful lives and functioning families. I love that we belong to this funny group of people.
As we were leaving Savannah and Bethy took this picture with Santa. The girls were nearly forehead to forehead in conversation. Suzanne reminded Bethy to not be so close. I was saddened by this. Bethy is being taught boundaries in her vision loss to be a respectable blind person. I think together these girls can be as close as they want to see each other as they share this common ground. I want Savannah to be in this blind world. I hope she can be a support to others and learn compassion. This was a great way for me to start off Christmas, feeling the Spirit of Christ. I can see this blind group before the Master with his healing powers offered to them. Imagine the miracles performed if He had attened their Holiday party. I look forward to the day of the Resurrection when the Atonement will restore all as it should be and we will be welcomed in to the peaceful rest of the Savior.
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