Coming to Terms with Your Child's Condition

On hearing that your child has a visual impairment you may feel as if your world has been turned upside down.

It is natural to experience a whole host of emotions which may include shock, fear, grief, sadness and despair. All of these feelings are quite common and may be part of a process that you will go through during the early weeks and months.

You may have left the consulting room in a daze and may not have heard all the words that were said to you during the consultation. You will be asking yourself what happens next and what the future holds for your child.

It is most likely that the days following the diagnosis will be spent sharing the news with close relatives who are often a great source of strength. Grandparents will often experience similar emotions to yourself and sometimes it may be difficult for them to be as supportive as you would wish.

You will probably need some time to adjust but one of the most beneficial areas of support in the early days and weeks is to make contact with an organisation that has the experience, knowledge and skills to support parents through the early journey.

Early emotional support can be a very positive experience, with someone who will listen and help you to understand your feelings. It is when you receive this kind of help that you may feel less isolated and stronger to take the next steps.

It may be difficult to make that first call and often parents ask a random question as an introduction, knowing that it is not the real reason why they are calling.

A specialist service within an organisation that is working with parents in the early stages following their child’s diagnosis will be aware of the ‘rollercoaster’ of emotions you are experiencing and will help you to cope with the changes that are happening in your life.

It is at this time that you will probably be seeking more guidance and advice, information and practical suggestions such as how you can support your child through the early stages of development.

You will also want to know what resources are available and the next stages, such as which agencies should be involved.

At this time you may wish to seek more information especially about your child’s eye condition. The internet is a wonderful source of information but may not always be accurate – so please be careful!

You will find that the organisation or agency which specialises in supporting families will also provide you with an opportunity to meet other parents who have been through a similar experience.

By this stage, hopefully you will begin to feel less isolated and by taking these steps – as difficult as it may be to believe – there will be a day when everything becomes more manageable.

For further information please call 0800 781 1444