seeing the world through new eyes

tamelyn feinstein

For the first four years of her life, Sofia was completely unable to see -- not because her eyes were defective, but because the visual cortex of her brain was unable to process any signals traveling from her optic nerves. Her doctors were not optimistic about her condition ever improving, although they did continue to recommend visual stimulation and therapy.

A few years ago we began to notice some unusual things -- Sofia would startle when a light was turned on quickly in a darkened room. She began to turn towards sounds. Her eyes would start rolling and blinking rapidly when moving objects went past.

A trip to her eye doctor confirmed it -- she was developing a limited range of vision. Twinkling lights and moving objects were suddenly stimulating and new. She was slowly becoming part of a sensory world so long denied to her, and consequently her tough and angry little persona began to slowly change too; she became more relaxed, silly, cuddly, and content.

And the best part? She began to seek out my face, attempted to focus in on my eyes, mimic my smile. It's still difficult at times for her to focus and her gaze is often tentative and fleeting, but I never tire of it -- every time we lock eyes it's still shiny and special and new.

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