Implementation
- Implementation
- See By Three
- Physicians Participating in See by Three
- Pediatric Ophthalmologists Participating in See by Three
- Objective Screening Devices
- Adult Strabismus
- Amblyopia 411
- What is Amblyopia
- Goals of Amblyopia Treatment
- What Patch to Use
- Questions About Atropine Therapy for Amblyopia
- Amblyopia FAQ
- Economic Impact of Blindness from Amblyopia
- See by Three Progress
- Eyecare for Kids
- See by Three Graphic
Parish’s Story
Parish is a little ambassador for the Children's Eye Foundation and his mom, Kelli, shares his story in hopes that it will help other parents in similar circumstances. Kelli begins when Parish was born and details major milestones along the way.
Parish is Born
By Kelli, Parish's Mom
"When our son Parish was born six weeks early, via an emergency c-section on July 15, 2008, our heads were spinning. I didn’t have a bag packed for the hospital, so I didn’t have my camera, my phone charger, my baby book…I didn’t have anything ready…nothing at all. I didn’t have any baby clothes washed for when he came home. We didn’t even have a middle name picked out yet for our son. And we didn’t have any idea he was going to be born with Down syndrome.
Parish was 4 lbs. 1 oz. and 17 inches long when he was born. He was the tiniest thing I had ever seen in my life. I was terrified of him, yet I loved him with my whole heart within moments of laying eyes on him. I’d like to think he felt the same way once he laid eyes on us...but little did we know…Parish couldn’t really lay eyes on anyone or anything. As the days in NICU unfolded, we learned that Parish had been born with cataracts. Cataracts. It was like I had given birth to a little Benjamin Button. He was one day old and already had the eyes of a little old man! And the cataracts had to be removed. Immediately.
As our journey began, I found comfort in sharing it with our friends and family through a website I created for Parish. The raw emotion I was feeling flowed out of me like a raging river. I was able to vent, express my anger, share my hope, and even laugh hysterically at myself at times. It was cathartic. It was just what I needed. It is my hope that by sharing this with you, you will know a bit more about what to expect on your own journey. You will know that there are others that have been where you are now and made it through. You will know that you and your child are braver than you ever fathomed. You will know hope."