Blind Hope

For those who think their life sucks well think again.

Source from The Sun

BLIND Oscar O'Sullivan-Hughes is thought to be one of the youngest people to walk with a white stick - aged just TWO.

But because he's so little many people assume the cane is just a toy and tut at him if he gets in their way. Last night parents Kait Hughes and Anthony O'Sullivan told of their heartache over brave Oscar, born blind due to a rare genetic defect. Kait, 30, said: "He has used the cane since he's been able to walk.

Brave ... Oscar O'Sullivan-Hughes
with his white cane

"Often when we're out at the shops he'll stop to smell the bread, touch the fridges or smell the shampoos. "People will lose patience with him and stride right over his cane. They're so insensitive and will tut at him. We think it's because they're not aware, or because they see that he's so young and think he can't possibly be blind." But now Oscar will help raise awareness as he fronts a campaign for Henshaws Society for Blind People. Kait of Wythenshawe, Manchester, said the lack of information on child blindness had left the family struggling to get help.

Heartache ... Oscar O'Sullivan-Hughes with mum Kait

She revealed: "After he was born we noticed he wasn't looking at things. When our concerns were raised, we were told he had jaundice and his sight would be OK." Eventually the family learned Oscar had been left blind due to a condition called Lebers Congenital Amaurosis. But Kait still didn't know where to turn for help.

She said: "When we went to playgroups other parents seemed scared to look at him. Even when he got the cane I couldn't bring myself to accept he was blind. "It was only when we accessed the Henshaws service at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital that we were able to understand and learn to deal with his condition." The charity put Oscar's parents in touch with a couple whose son had the same condition. Kait said: "They reassured us their child was normal, and could move around and talk with his brother. We knew then that Oscar was going to be OK." Fiona Berry, of Henshaws, said: "Oscar is the youngest person by far that we've taught to use a white cane." The charity aims to raise £50,000 through the campaign fronted by Oscar.

What is Leber’s congenital amaurosis is??

LEBER'S congenital amaurosis is a rare inherited eye disease which appears at birth or in the first few months of life.

It affects around 1 in 80,000 people.

For any family a blind baby is an absolute tragedy because the baby and its parents depend so much on sight to communicate and to bond.

It's important they are encouraged to use the other senses - but they can live just as full a life as sighted children

To all readers (including me), please, stop moaning and appreciate our life more…