This here is a picture of Matty feeling and experiencing the Christmas tree in his home. His Mom and Dad were sure to wait for him to get home from Nana and Papa’s before they decorated it with the ornaments. Matthew was very reluctant, as many visually impaired children are, to touch something foreign at first. Patiently Tammy (Nana) encouraged him to be brave enough and he took the leap of faith and did it.
Textures are ultra intense to those who can’t see*. In many ways their finger tips are their eyes so you could in essence say that this is Matty’s way of looking at and experiencing his families tree. We were so proud of him and thrilled when he actually started saying “Christmas tree!” and being excited about it.
It’s important to remember that his mother is an excellent cook and has made Christmas a very festive time at their home and that he will have a great holiday experience. The smell of the candles, the taste of the food, visiting with family, Christmas music when his little sister is listening to Christmas shows, all make the experience a really fun and special time for him.
The smells, tastes, sounds, textures and people around him mean Christmas will be special for him who, in so many ways, is just like us. In fact, we could learn a thing or two from one whose other senses are heightened. We could listen for and appreciate more the true and unselfish meaning of the season.
Merry Christmas from Matty and his family.
*It is virtually impossible with the history of personal memories of all the Christmas lights and visions of the holidays we have to imagine Christmas time without sight. For the blind and visually impaired Christmas still has it’s magic! They feel, in a very deep and sincere way, how special this time of year is by and through those around them.
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