22 January 2014

eyes, hands and heart


More than 80% of baby’s learning comes from sight, I read somewhere. From what they see, they learn to use their hands and body, alongside the brain development. For Sabrina’s case, as she was born blind, her development has been significantly behind. Even after her cornea transplant on her left eye and she has started to see something, there was no hand and eye coordination. Without eye and brain development, there was no incentive for her to move her hand, head or any part of her body. Her hands were always just dangling on the side, her head was flat on the ground when she was on her tummy. This lasted for quite a long time. What I did then was to guide her arm to try touching things, move her body to feel the existence of space and make a noise and speak to her to give her the idea of direction of where things are. This was a daily routine of us, regardless of whether I felt any improvement. 

Sabrina is six and half months today. Her eyes now follow things not just the lights, holds toys with both hands, bring them to her mouth and tries to reach to things a bit further. She reaches out and touches my face too. She can also roll over from tummy to back and can sit supported. Although she is still behind the average, this is a huge development for her and I am so pleased to see this happening. 


Her right eye with no transplant surgery is a weaker one and ultimately it has a tendency to rely on her left eye. If the eye is not used, the brain stops developing too. So she has to train her right eye, currently an hour a day by patching her left. She absolutely hates this, trying to take the patch off and crying. It’s been an another battle but it seems that her right eye has started to follow things too. 

There won’t be ‘eye to eye’ contact with Sabrina, but this was my egoistic wish. When she reaches out to my face, touches and smiles, I now feel this is enough. Instead I know ‘heart to heart’ is connected. You know being a mother is really hard work but also you receive so much in return. xm

16 comments:

  1. Dear Maki, I just read your last posts. What a rough start, and what brave fighters you have both been. I want to hug both you and your lovely daughter, and wish you from my heart much gentler times from now on !

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    1. Thank you Annamaria. I wish too, for much gentler time onward! xm

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  2. Crying... thank you for sharing this honest story with the world.

    Dear Maki, your daughter is turning you into a very wise mother. Heart to heart is what life and love are all about.

    Keep up with the bravery!! You are doing such a tremendous job.
    xxx

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    1. Thank you for your message Roos, as always. I shall try to be a strong mum, just like you are.

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  3. oh it is lovely to hear the progress - makes your heart sing x

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  4. Dear Maki, its wonderful to see and read how far your beautiful daughter has progressed. Your innate maternal bond and the love in your heart can surpass many obstacles.
    May you both continue to grow in your love for each other.

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    1. Therese, thank you for your lovely message.

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  5. Hi Maki,
    Hugs and love to you, your daughter and your husband, of course !!! Take care of all both

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    1. Thank you Armelle, and yes my husband of course! Without his support we cannot come this far! I should have mentioned that!

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  6. What incredible dedication you have for your dear little daughter. She is a lucky girl to have such loving parents. Make sure you take care of yourself as well Maki and give yourself time to do things for yourself as well. Best wishes to you all. X Creina

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    1. Thank you Creina for lovely comments :)

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  7. Anonymous17/2/14 16:25

    Dear Makiko; What I have learned from parenting is that the things you do not expect as a parent are the things that give you the most joy and the most room to grow. I was very moved by your stories about your daughter. I can imagine how difficult it must have been for all of you to go through that and have the faith that you have made the best decisions possible in that moment for your dear child. We all do our best in any given moment, please give yourself the grace to see that and to allow yourself to see that in yourself and your husband as well. Often in these situations people are the hardest on themselves. And sometimes from being unable to forgive oneself there can be little room for forgiving the other as well.
    Your beautiful daughter also has her own part in this, it is her fate that she lives with. I comfort myself with the thought that the souls of our children choose the very best parents possible for the fate that they take with them to earth. We are not always aware of their fate, but they -in their soul- are.
    Good luck and enjoy your chlid it is so precious and it all passes so quickly. Simone

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    1. Hello Simone, thank you for your kind message. Very touchced. Yes, she does grow so quickly already! Cannot believe 7 months has gone! Like you said I try enjoying everyday as much as possible even when things are hard :)

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  8. hello Makiko, congratulations for your daughter, I am touched by the story of your daughter, I am sending you lots of courage and love for her. and congratulations also for your ceramics. mélanie.

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