Berwick’s parents, Lauren and Chris, were ecstatic at the birth of their first child, Eddy. Like most first-time parents, they were both nervous and excited about the future ahead of them.
However, at six weeks of age, Lauren noticed that Eddy’s eyes were cloudy and he couldn’t focus on things.
After multiple doctor visits, and a visit to the emergency room, they discovered that little Eddy was born blind.
“Initially I was shattered. I felt guilty thinking it, but I grieved the life that Eddy could have had,” Lauren said.
“I had so many questions – would he reach certain milestones; would he be able to make friends?”
Eddy’s diagnosis changed how the family experienced the world.
“We’re always thinking about how Eddy can navigate through different spaces, or how we can teach him things without seeing us do them,” Chris said.
“The biggest surprise is the happiness and love of life that Eddy shows every day, and expresses more and more as he grows and changes. It makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s given us a lot of empathy for everyone who experiences life with a disability, and has really emphasised the importance of being aware and inclusive.”
After coming across Vision Australia through its annual community fun run, Lauren and Chris sought out services for Eddy.
“It took some time for Eddy’s NDIS funding to be approved. In the interim, we relied on donor funding to access early intervention services,” Lauren said.
“We were able to take Eddy to a playgroup with other blind and low vision kids and Chris and I were offered counselling services to process everything. When Eddy was a bit older, he was connected with an occupational therapist and an orientation and mobility specialist who taught him how to use a white cane.”
Vision Australia’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Advocacy Chris Edwards said that while the NDIS affords many people access to vital support, the assessment process can be unfair and inefficient.
“Currently there are no clear guidelines outlining what evidence families must provide to show their child needs ongoing support if they don’t automatically qualify under List D,” Chris said.
“As a result, parents bounce from one specialist to another gathering paperwork. It’s costly, appointments can take months, and the delays mean children miss out on critical early intervention. Children who are blind or have low vision simply can’t afford to wait.”
For Eddy, now two years old, early intervention changed everything.
“Eddy is now reaching important development milestones. He’s made several friends, loves climbing trees and is giving skateboarding a go,” Lauren said.
“We’ve also been introduced to several employees at Vision Australia who are blind. Just seeing how capable they are has reassured us that Eddy will secure meaningful employment one day.”
Eddy is one of 2000 children who receive life-changing support from Vision Australia each year. Of the 2000 children who received support, 612 relied on donor funding.
His parents encourage other families facing a similar diagnosis to embrace the support services Vision Australia offers and social events that come with them.
“There is a great community of people which really does make the experience easier, which we really needed especially in the early days,” Chris said.
Eddy is also one of this year’s Carols by Candlelight ambassadors. All ticket sales and donations go towards helping children like Eddy to thrive.
“While we continue to advocate for farer processes within the NDIS to give children like Eddy the funding they need, the public can help by donating – big or small – to this important fundraiser,” Chris said.
To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CAROLSBC25
Or for those that can’t attend, you can donate here https://donate.visionaustralia.org/carols_?_gl=1*l1n85t*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NjMwMDU3ODguQ2p3S0NBaUFfZERJQmhCNkVpd0F2emMxY0JzeVcyOWVJTXVpNFBlMWhPY1Z0bmVIeF9iY2NtSjBDNm45OVdWZzFWRmRNZ2JYamxHbzdCb0NFTmtRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTIyNDA4OTQ2MS4xNzYxODAxMzQ2LjE3ODUwMDkwMDUuMTc2MzA5MTA1NS4xNzYzMDkxMDU0*_ga*MTcxOTE3NjUxNC4xNzYyMTQ4MzQw*_ga_3RKE2D0EYL*czE3NjMwOTA5OTYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NjMwOTEwNjgkajQ5JGwwJGgw*_ga_2F789CY3J1*czE3NjMwOTA5MzckbzExJGcxJHQxNzYzMDkxMDY1JGo1MiRsMCRoMA..&_ga=2.37786659.1857232436.1763090996-1719176514.1762148340
