Just diagnosed

Your child's diagnosis as visually impaired may have been a traumatic time for all concerned. Some people go through a variety of emotions, ranging from despair and isolation to guilt and anger.

Always remember that you are not on your own.

The National Blind Children's Society can provide support for all parents, including the families of recently diagnosed children. In fact, we don't need a firm diagnosis to be able to help you. The National Blind Children's Society will provide advice, information and support to all families who need it.

We can:

• link you to the professionals, services and organisations available
• provide a listening service offering immediate emotional support
• provide contact with other parents
• provide good quality, easy to understand information relating to any aspect of your child's visual impairment
• help supply toys or specialist equipment
• offer activity holidays and family weekends, so your child can meet up with other children with a visual impairment and take part in activities you may not have dreamed possible

It will be useful for you to keep records about:

• your child and his/her condition and needs
• advice/information from professionals/specialists
• telephone calls, meetings, letters etc, regarding your child
• all professionals you speak to, with names, dates, roles and details of conversations