Baby has sight problem

[jackie j]

My OH niece's baby was born 10 weeks premature and she is in hospital today having her eyes looked at under ga, she can see light but not much else she is 6 months old now and does'nt hold your gaze, today they will find out if she will have any sight. Her mum has been looking at toys for the partially sighted and they are so expensive, one was over £1000 no way can they afford things like that. The baby is also allergic to milk and is on soya milk which she gets on perscription, but not much about for baby's when they go on solids, she will make most of her food herself to start with. I have told her to get everything she can on perscription and take all the help and benefits she can, her OH works and so does she, although on maternity leave at the mo. Fingers crossed that its not as bad as it seems.

[Flummery]

I do hope you're right and things aren't too bad. Best wishes. Thinking of you all.

[SarzWix]

That's awful Jackie They should be able to apply for Disability Living Allowance, which will help a bit towards equipment etc. Also, the blind/partially sighted charities should be able to help with information and possibly equipment too. As for the dairy-free food, don't worry too much about that, my nephew had to be dairy-free from the start and they managed pretty well with home-made weaning foods and the supermarkets are getting a bigger range of 'free-from' foods all the time.
I'm sure, with a lot of family help & support, they will come to terms & cope with this.
Good luck & best wishes to all.

[SlugLobber]

Aw heck, that's not good. Hope she turns out to have some sight, Jackie. xx

[Headfry]

I am saddened by your news Jackie j lets hope she can get lots of help.
thinking of you all
HF
x

[muddyfingers]

[QUOTE=jackie j;269290]My OH niece's baby was born 10 weeks premature and she is in hospital today having her eyes looked at under ga, she can see light but not much else she is 6 months old now and does'nt hold your gaze, today they will find out if she will have any sight. [QUOTE]

Sorry to read about your great-niece, it doesn't sound too good does it, sadly. My own son was born at 21wks, weighing next to nothing, ofcourse! He's a big strapping healthy 21yo now - but, I was lucky to be in a good hospital (& an ex-nurse) so I was updated often by a very dedicated set of medics. When he was having Oxygen in his incubator I understood it to be VERY important that A) his eyes were protected - from the dry atmosphere + B) the blood oxygen was constantly monitored, because above a certain level will permanently damage the back of the eyes, causing blindness.

Ofcourse there can be other causes of sight loss, but it may be worth your niece recalling how oxygen therapy was administered AND monitered.

I hope the result isn't as bad as you fear; Best Wishes, Virginia

[yoanbob]

sad news, Im sure whatever the outcome you will cope as a familly, a baby needs love and sustenece not £1000 toys, there are lots of inspirational blind people out there who couldnt afford expensive toys so dont worry, just be there for support.

[bluemoon]

I'm so sorry to hear this Jackie. As someone has said, children don't need £1000 toys, just love, support and their family's belief in them. One of my daughters is profoundly deaf and she's a total inspiration. She's 23 now and works, unbelievably, for a media company. I know that's not much help to you now, but much of the worry and depression which comes with a disabled child is based in the fear of what the future holds for them and often that future is not nearly as bad as you'd imagined.
Best wishes, BM.

[ailsasyl]

So sorry to hear this.
I have worked with a few people offer the years that are blind/visually impaired and your right toys which are given label "for visually impaired jump up in price hugely" look at toys that are available on open market. It will depend on wither she can see colour or not, if she can brighter the better, textures are good. We had small bags sewn from material filled with different things, beans, crinkly paper, lavender, sponge etc which were tactile and encourages baby to use hands and smell.
Gloop is great fun, cheap although she maybe too young for this all you need is a deep sided tray a baking tray is fine mix corn flour and cold water you could add peppermint for smell too its goes semi solid but when you put hands in the heat from your hands makes it liquid and it runs through your fingers haven't found anyone who doesn't spend ages playing, including the adults! Safe too if she decides to put it in her mouth easy to clean if it spills
I'm sure we had other stuff too will have a think and get back to you

[mythyme]

I can't add to anything that hasn't already been said, but wanted to post my best wishes to you all

[Polly Fouracre]

I hope all your fears are unfounded Jackie. If the worst is confirmed there are charities who will loan toys.
My grandson (the one you met in the Country Table) was also allergic to dairy. Not a problem, he was given soya or goat milk substitutes and finally grew out of his allergy.
It did leave him a fussy eater though. Lesson--don't discuss her allergies in her hearing!!

[jackie j]

Sadly she has been diagnosed with Albinism further tests will be carried out on friday to see to what extent she will be impaired.
Thanks for all your support.

[Finedon.Dandy]

The little one, her family and her wonderful Great Aunt are all in my prayers tonight...

Just found these - hope they help...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albinism

http://www.albinism.org.uk/

[Seahorse]

I'm sorry to hear it wasn't better news Jackie.

As many have said above, lots of people with a disability do very well for themselves but as a parent of a disabled child myself, I do appreciate how overwhelming and hard it can all seem.

I know it won't be the first thing on their minds but do encourage Mum and Dad to apply for Disabilty Living Allowance and to make sure to ask the relevant docs etc just what to put on the forms to ensure the maximum benefits. It really can make a difference (perhaps even enough for one parent to stay at home, if that's what is wanted or needed).

[ailsasyl]

Sorry to hear it wasn't better news.

Big hugs to you.