Specs for Sam

We've had a whirlwind two months with Sam. Following a routine screening at school, Sam was red-flagged for visual irregularities, and referred to an ophthalmologist. The initial examination there wasn't positive, so Sam had to undergo further examination involving paralysing the muscles so that the pupil remained dilated - and then waiting 10 painful days (involving severe light sensitivity, headaches and nausea) for it to wear off. And so, the week before Christmas, Sam was prescribed specs.

To be honest, I have been grateful for the delay of the year-end break. All this has been a lot to take in for us as parents. Sam is not the first child in the world to wear specs, but he is the first child in either of our families to need them, and his diagnosis was a bit of a shock. I certainly went through a host of emotions including guilt at not picking anything up before, pity at the fact that, as a four year old, there's a chance he has never seen things clearly, and deep sorrow that his carefree life is somewhat interrupted now. Sam has gone through his own emotions too. At first, the prospect of specs seemed cool, but then when the reality and anxiety of the unknown and permanent nature of this adjustment started to sink in, he began digging in his heels in - and there are only so many times you can point out how many superheroes wear specs too.

Today we could collect Sam's new specs. He had just woken from a nap so I prepped him with the promise of an ice-cream, and prayed that he would not lose the plot when he realised the colour of the frame was not red. The kind assistant tentatively placed the specs on Sam's head, and he stared around the store in wonder, and then ran to the mirror. He has not even tried to take them off since. The lenses are pretty thick, and to the viewer, his eyes appear large and bulgy, but he says everything is big and clear, and there are details he has never seen before. His world has just opened up, and he is so happy.

This is the start of a long journey for all of us. Sam will need to wear his specs all the time, and in addition to this, for the next six months at least, he'll have to wear a patch on his stronger eye over the weekends so that the weaker eye can get some exercise. His spectacle error is quite significant, and all treatment and intervention is aimed at taking advantage of the fact that his eyes and vision are not fully developed yet. Currently options are limited long term, but we continue to pray for patience and purpose in this season, and trust God for the miraculous.