Resources: Client Stories: Taylor Burns Through Mom’s Eyes

When my daughter, Taylor Burns, was a tiny baby, I began to think something must be wrong. I’d been taking care of children since I was 12 and I knew she just wasn’t developing correctly. One day I was looking at Taylor’s eyes and I could see they were dilating randomly. I tried turning the light on and off, but it made no difference. Even bright sunlight made no difference! Her dad thought she was okay, but I was sure she wasn’t.
Upon examination, her doctor also thought she was just fine. But I insisted. “Please could you check her eyes again? I know there is something wrong. She cannot see.” He took Taylor down the hall to another doctor who examined her eyes very carefully and determined she was totally blind. The diagnosis was Septo-Optic Dysplasia, a rare and often incurable condition.

I was stunned and frightened, but right away, I began to search for resources that could help our baby. For the next several years, Taylor received help from several social service organizations and she progressed until a couple of years ago. Then, I began to realize there was no more progress and that she was actually backsliding. I called the New Hampshire Association for the Blind (NHAB) for some help with assistive technology. I connected with Nancy Wittmershaus, who serves as both a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) and an orientation and mobility specialist. As soon as Nancy began working with Taylor, I realized how lucky we were. It was a real turning point.

Taylor now goes to the Loudon Elementary school and Nancy has been working with her there. All of Taylor’s school work is now done in Braille. Nancy has been great for Taylor -- and for me. She is very resourceful and even helps me sort out what is typical 11 year old behavior and what might be the result of the vision impairment and frustration.

Fifth grade has been a great year for Taylor. She now actually wants to go to school and rides the bus to get there. She really enjoys life. Her grandfather takes her on helicopter rides and she enjoyed her therapeutic riding sessions last summer. NHAB has made a big difference in Taylor’s life just as it has for so many children and adults here in New Hampshire.