Braeden Robinson’s Crusade story

Braeden Robinson’s Crusade story

Parents will do whatever it takes to help their children. As WHAS11’s Melissa Swan discovered, Braeden Robinson’s family moved to Louisville to give Braeden the opportunity to start his education at an agency supported by the WHAS Crusade for Children.

The morning begins with a playful exchange but for three-year-old Braeden Robinson there is a serious side for attending Visually Impaired Preschool or VIPS. Braeden has been diagnosed with a genetic abnormality that has profoundly affected his vision.

Amanda Robinson, Braeden’s mom says, “It’s Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. But at the time of his diagnosis they really didn’t know how much he could see.”

Further testing proved that Braeden has no light perception at all. With the help of the staff at VIPS, Braeden is developing the skills he needs to excel.

Braeden’s teacher Melissa Evers says, “He has been introduced to Braille, beyond introduced, he knows lots of words, of brailles. If I ask him what a letter is he’ll say, “What’s the braille dots?”

Braeden and all the students at VIPS are getting help thanks in part to the Crusade for Children.

Heather Benson at VIPS says, “The Crusade funds are so important to us because they pay for our most important asset which are our teachers. Our teachers are highly educated in educating the young, blind and visually impaired.”

That specialized training is making all the difference for braeden.

What Braeden has lost in sight he may have gained in hearing. Amanda says once she discovered that Bbraeden has perfect pitch, she went about finding a piano teacher for him. His teacher said she didn’t take children under six. But once she saw Braeden’s talent she changed her mind.

The 59th Annual WHAS Crusade for Children is coming Saturday and Sunday, June 2 – 3, 2012.

No Comments

Post a Comment