A couple of weeks ago, we took Braxton in for his seven year old well care check. As usual, they tested his vision by having him cover one of his eyes and look at some letters and symbols on a chart. My kids have NEVER cooperated well for these types of testing. So, when he was consistently making mistakes, I attributed it to stubbornness and a case of the sillies rather than a legitimate vision impairment. (Not to mention the extra attention he was receiving from the pretty nurse, as she tried to coerce him to answer correctly, would be an added incentive to Braxton.) I told the pediatrician this, and knowing my kids as well, he agreed with me and said we'd try the test again in a few months when I take my youngest in. Over the next couple of days, in an effort to affirm my belief in his being able to see fine, I would ask him to tell me what things were at various distances. I was surprised at his genuinely not seeming to be able to see them. So I made a sign with letters of my own and had him stand at the other end of the hall and try to tell me what they were. He continued to insist he couldn't see them. I wondered what would happen if he wore my prescription glasses and tried again. Well, to my disbelief, he could read the entire chart and was awed at how clear EVERYTHING appeared while in the glasses. That seemed to put an end to any remaining skepticism and we made an appointment with an eye doctor. He did superb at the exam. I had to admit that I found myself feeling somewhat cowardly as I hate going to the eye doctor, but Braxton was obedient and even cheerful, even when they dilated his eyes (YUCK!). He tried on tons of frames, but once he found these ones, he refused to try on another pair. Yesterday, he was so excited when we told him that they had come in, but only to be disappointed when I told him I would have to pick them up on my way to work so he would have to wait until this morning to get them. When I woke up, they were missing from my dresser. He was already up watching cartoons (undoubtedly with a new visual appreciation for his favorite shows) and I have to say, I didn't think that kid could get more handsome, but those glasses seemed to only magnify his charm. So here I am feeling a little sheepish about having never noticed before that he was struggling to see properly. Another day with out that Mother of the Year award has come and gone. SIGH...... However, I am thrilled that he made a transition into something that a lot of kids might have found disturbing, with confidence and enthusiasm.
