04/02/2023
Three years ago today we completed our last day of Vision Therapy! His life is forever changed by Dr. Mowbray and Ms. Katie. At his lowest, you gave him hope and forever changed his life! When others gave us labels you gave us vision and a plan. We are forever grateful to the staff at Minnesota Vision Therapy Center.
"80% of Classroom learning is visual" "1 in 4 kids have a visual problem severe enough to affect them in school."
Day 1 vs Day 294
40 weeks ago our family took a risk on treatment for our son. A time when we had exhausted all options...and we were exhausted ourselves! After his initial assessment, I knew this is where we belonged...and we would find a way to make it work.
40 long weeks of driving 4 hours each Monday, for specialized treatment currently not covered by insurance. Pulling our son out of school for 1/2 a day, early mornings sleeping in the car. Nightly Therapy "homework", on top our already busy schedule.
I remember sitting in the waiting room. Surrounded by SEVERAL three ring binders FULL of hundreds of success stories. Kids just like Jackson!!!
The sign on their desk said, we believe in miracles! I'll never forget the feeling after leaving our first apt....they "knew" my son without even "knowing" him.
They saved our little boy, and his life is forever changed because we/they never gave up. His future is forever changed because of MVT and Dr. Mowbray's mission! To all parents....never give up on your kiddos! Listen and trust your gut!!!! Never get complacent, reaearch, connect, network....they are 100% worth it!
Dr. Mowbray and her team run one of the top clinics for Vision Therapy in the world. She has dedicated her life to helping others, specifically kids! We are so thankful for her and he staff, specifically Ms. Katie. Does our story sound familiar?! I'd love to connect...
Here is our story...
Jackson is your typical 9 year old boy, loves sports, playing outside, his friends and family. However in school, specifically reading something wasn't "clicking". He disliked reading, finding every excuse in the book to avoid it. It would take us days to finish even the most beginner books.
At our 1st grade conferences Jackson's teacher described a little boy I didn't know. Describing him as acting up in class, not paying attention, putting his head down and fidgeting. We made him an appt with our pediatrician and also a local optometrist. The optometrist put him in glasses for reading. Things started to get better, but over time we started to see the same concerns resurface.
Then at his 2nd grade conference Jackson's teacher had similar concerns as his 1st, but also saw his potential, and love for learning. We had a few meetings with his teacher, principal and special education director because of their concerns as well. Jackson was already wearing glasses for reading, we decided to get his eyes checked again. At that apt the optometrist couldn't even get his perscription....his eyes would not relax. After an hour of trying, he suggested to wear the glasses full time, to get his eyes to "relax" and come back in a week. After a week of wearing glasses we were able to get his perscription after only a few minutes. But even glasses was not enough....our gut told us something was still missing.
As a mother, I had a gut instinct that there was something more....something "blocking" his love for reading. I knew he was a smart kid, I knew he had the interest, he could sit for hours listening to us read....but it was like a switch went off when we asked him to read.
Taking what I knew and what I've seen specifically with concussions in the classroom and what some of my athletes have experienced, I started to see a connection. I researched and learned all I could about the link between vision and learning. Now Jackson didn't have a concussion...but similar symptoms seen in the classroom with post concussion recovery. After many hours of research, digging and connecting with other families on the internet I found a source of hope and scheduled and apt with a Behavioral Optometrist.
In April Jackson had his evaluation at Minnesota Vision Therapy we knew instantly we were in the right place. Jackson was diagnosed with Convergence Insufficiency, something they see ALL THE TIME...and very common (but under/missed diagnosed)! Better yet it is 100% TREATABLE!!! I was moved to tears multiple time because they understood him and his struggles and had a clear plan to help him.
The sign on the front desk states, "There will be miracles." We are blessed beyond measure to have found MVT, and what they have done for our son.
We also followed up with an ophthalmologist in Minnesota for a second opinion, he said Jackson didn't need glasses, he needed to work on the connection between his brain and his visual system. The glasses were just a crutch for him. He needed Vision Therapy!
Some changes we've seen over the past yr.
1. We had the best conference since pre-school
2. Jackson no longer needs/ wears glasses
3. Reading is more enjoyable, fluid and overall easier
4. Improvements with handwriting
5. Improvements with overall body awareness and coordination
6. Jackson no long acts out in class. He is able to focus better to complete his work. He is very social and working on not talking in class ;)
7. He finds reading more enjoyable and doesn't fight us.
8. Improvements in overall life awareness. He is seeing and noticing things around him that he never had before.
9. Improvements in reading comprehension
10. He reads for fun!!!!
11. He is no longer seeing double
12. He is finally using his peripheral vision without strain and stress
13.Overall confidence! The ability to overcome, persevere, not giving up and work ethic
14. He enjoys going to school and his teacher
15. At his final evaluation, Jackson has a perfect functioning visual system. His brain and eyes are finally working as a team automatically, with ease, endurance and sustainability. Now the real work begins... continue to build on his solid foundation.
It's not perfect, but we get better each day. See the vision and trust the process!
This is just the beginning! The most improvements are seen years after Vision Therapy!
This is truly just the beginning for Jackson....and I couldn't be more proud of him and all he has accomplished and where he is going.
