Permanent Total Blindness

Another StoryCerebellar Ataxia - "Today she reads, writes, talks, walks, and attends public school with the proper age group ."

This testimony of Sarah Dees will amaze you with her story of going from facing permanent total blindness to being 80% reversed...and that's just the beginning!

Sarah Dees

“At six months of age, our daughter was diagnosed with a severe vision problem called nystagmus. In addition she was diagnosed with strabismus, developmental delays, and mild mental retardation. We were told by numerous specialists that, due to her nystagmus, she was already legally blind and rapidly going completely blind. They also told us there was no treatment and no cure for her condition.

We were already familiar with Matthew and Carol's work, and called immediately to see if our daughter could be helped. We started a treatment program of home-based physical therapy when our daughter was eight months old. By the time she was thirteen months old, we had the nystagmus and vision loss about 80% reversed. Her other developmental delays cleared up, and she learned to read, do simple algebra, read musical notation, and speak French and Russian. (Her regular pediatrician recently put her IQ in the 160 range.)

Our daughter's almost four now, and has depth perception, convergence of vision, and normal visual acuity for her age. She's an extremely talented gymnast and figure skater, and loves to read, color, and watch the occasional video. We're investigating gifted and talented programs for her when she begins school.

Thanks to Matthew and Carol's work with our daughter, we've completely changed the course of her life. Instead of being blind and mentally retarded, she now lives a not only a normal, but extraordinary, life. When we think what would have become of her future had we not found the Newells, we shudder to think of it. They gave our daughter a future of limitless possibilities.”

Cindy Dees
Arizona, U.S.A.

Learn more about permanent total blindness