The Blind Driving

When you are pregnant and have a kid you dream of all the milestones that will be coming in the next 20 years. One big one is driving, drivers ed and your first car.

Ty has nystagmus and ROP. His ROP is severe. Though it didn't leave him totally blind he has severe vision loss. His script borders legally blind. Even at 4 we don't know the full extent of his vision loss. The nystagmus doesn't help. Because of the movement it makes LOTS of problems for the vision. It makes it so that driving is almost impossible.

Recently, an article and news story came out about a car that is being made by Virgina Tech that is giving hope to the legally blind. Giving them a hope for DRIVING!

With a new technology called "non digital interface technology" people with vision impairment and blindness have been able to drive.

It uses a series of vibrations, signals and sounds to tell the blind person where to turn and how to stay away from other hazards in the street all while driving. The foundation for blind people were impressed with the showing at Daytona last week. A prototype vehicle is going to be made by Ford using a Ford Escape which will be equipped with the new technology and will be shown in January.

I think it is rather interesting and I wonder in the next ten years what technology will be coming up that will help kiddos like Tyler. Can you imagine the independence he will feel with the ability to drive!?

Can you imagine the possibilities?

Vision for 2010!

Tyler has a disease called Retinopathy of Prematurity that only effects children that are born BEFORE 32 weeks. Low Birth weight and gestational age play a HUGE part in this disease. Some are only mildly effected but for us that isn't the case.

Tyler was diagnosed close to his go home date with ROP stage 3 PLUS disease. This advanced stages of retinopathy was "discovered" before retinal detachment so he does have some sight. He is at risk for retinal detachment for the rest of his life.

Eye exams for kids Tyler's age are not pretty. Because he has them often he HATES them. He screams and kicks and freaks out. His eyes are dilated almost every time and we rarely get any real answers. Meaning because of his other delays ( especially in speech) we still do not know what he CAN see and what he can't see. It is basically a educated Medical guess.

Visual impairment is something that we feel is a huge mystery only because we don't know the extent of what he can and can't see. Tyler has nystagmus as well that is from head pressure that has ruined his optic nerve. He also has a coloboma which makes his eyes let in to much light. It can make your vision even worse. ( the picture above shows that his special eye, which is a coloboma)

For those who are interested ( or don't think that we have it "bad" or they have it "worse") or have questions regarding his ROP please email me or let me know so that we can bring back answers for you. His appointment is tomorrow at 1 if you would like to go. Tyler needs to be seen every 4-6 weeks at this doctor so more appointments will be coming. His Doctor is more than happy to have visitors with LOTS of questions.