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We have always made Joshua sit it the trolley when going to the local supermarket but Joshua is outgrowing the seats and more often wants to walk. Trolley collisions is a likely risk for Josh as they come out of nowhere and at speed, navigating around them and avoiding them can be difficult for little children in general, but even more so when partially sighted.

It’s bad enough for adults in a busy shop, everyone is rushing around bumping into each other, but at least you stand a chance at minimising and clashes and having accidents. I think we will have to choose the times we go shopping more carefully and go during quieter periods, but I know this cant always be avoided. Joshua will eventually outgrow the trolley seats and will have no choice but to walk. We will have to keep a close eye on Joshua and try to educate him the best we can to not run and stay close.

New surroundings When Joshua is in ‘new surroundings’ it’s apparent how his Nystagmus affects his confidence, he becomes all shy and clingy. This is something that has always been with Joshua since we can remember. We popped around my cousin’s new house at the weekend and he immediately went all shy, wouldn’t look or talk to anyone, he wouldn’t even take a chocolate biscuit. This lasted for around 10 minutes before snapping out of it and returning to normal Joshua, playing, interacting and of course he wanted a chocolate biscuit. I think the best thing to do in this situation is to not push Joshua let him settle down until he is ready and happy. Amelia on the other hand was running around, digging into the biscuits from the moment we turned up

These are the main things Joshua has struggled with due to his Nystagmus so far.

Uneven sufaces

Joshua often misses steps and trips when walking on an uneven suface’s. This is usually only a problem in an unfamiliar surrounding as he quickly remembers the hazards in our home or places he visits reguarly.

Sunlight

He seems to be very sensitive to light and always wears a hat when going outside if it is bright. Even a bright cloudy day can cause problems as the sun reflects off the clouds and bounces up after hitting the pavement. At the moment Joshua refuses to wear sunglasses. We were also told that wearing sunglasses a lot in childhood can make your eyes more light sensitve. We purchased a shade for the pushchair which was brilliant. (Shade a babe) When the light does glare Joshua finds getting about much more difficult and can miss obsticals in his way, such as toys/objects on the floor.  Moving objects he may also miss, such as he may bump into playing children.

Change in enviroment

Joshua when on the move misses changes in the enviroment around him. for example if his is running and somebody opens a door to walk through his vision is not quick enough to see it and he would run straight into the side of the door. The same goes for a running child he often will bump into them causing injury. This is why we look like mad over protective parents at the park etc as we are constantly running around and following him. Obviously there is a limit to that and we must also ensure he has his independance.

Joshua always seems very unhappy for the first 30 minutes after a nap. I am sure this is down to him being disorientated due to his Nystagmus which always seems worse when he first wakes.

He stands almost on top of the television to watch his programmes. After speaking to other parents this is very comon for them to do.

Judging distance

Judging distance his difficult for him, for example last week he went to kiss his baby sister and head butted her as he thought she was further away.

Books and puzzles must be clear and not have busy backrounds.

Tiredness

Joshua will get tired much more easily if there is a lot going on. It takes alot more effort for him to see when he is in a busy enviroment and he is having to work hard. I was told by a visual impairment teacher to try and keep things simple so he isnt having to work so hard to see. For example give his dinner to him on a plain plate that contrasts to the food. if he is given his dinner on a pictured colourful plate it is much harder for him to distinguish the different types of food.

Null point
The null point is the position in the eyes that he can keep his eyes more still. This for joshua is the top right, Joshua has a head tilt when adopting this position. The worst postion for Joshua to see is looking down.

Parks
parks,playgrounds and play areas seem to pose problems for Joshua as it is these sorts of enviroments that seem to have the most hazards.
There are many uneven sufaces, drops and holes in play equipment (firemans pole etc).
swings – Joshua will often run behind them
running children – including Joshua
There is so much going on that he finds it difficult to focus, although does cope well.
Has mad parents running around after him, to ensure less injurys.

these are a few that spring to mind. I will update if i think of anymore.