Sensory Playroom and Children’s Services Appeal
Scent assists Emily to interpret her surrounds.
Sound helps inform her about the world.
She loves to feel tactile tiles underneath her feet in our playroom.
Vision Australia supports thousands of people who are blind or have low vision to live their lives to the full.
People just like Emily, aged two, who is learning how to interpret her world with the help of sound, touch and smell instead of sight.
She is one of thousands of Australians living with blindness or low vision – a figure that is expected to double to 600,000 by 2020. As such, demand for Vision Australia’s essential services will increase significantly.
Help Emily put her best foot forward, by donating today.
Emily was diagnosed with Leber’s congenital amaurosis at nine months of age. Her parents, Matthew and Rose, endured many sleepless nights when hundreds of questions raced through their minds. How do you teach a child who is blind to walk, feed themselves or read? Where do you start?
The turning point came when someone from Vision Australia called the family. They were so relieved to receive answers to their questions about Emily’s future.
Vision Australia explained how they would work with the family to ensure Emily reaches the same milestones as her brother, but using her ears, nose and hands rather than her eyes to learn. And we assured the family that with the right training, equipment and a lot of patience, Emily would get there.
Thanks to the support of Vision Australia and her dedicated family, Emily is growing in independence and ability every day. Last time she visited Vision Australia’s sensory playroom, which is packed with stimulating audio, tactile and scented toys that encourage early development, she fearlessly bounced on the mini-trampoline just like any other two-year-old.
The strengthening exercises and balancing techniques Vision Australia showed the family early in Emily’s life have really paid off for the little girl - she now moves with such confidence!
By continuing to help Vision Australia you can have a positive impact on the lives of people Emily. Vision Australia needs to raise $1,350,000 to support our Sensory Playroom Children's Services appeal. Your generosity is urgently needed.