Lenz Frenz Needs Help!

Don't forget about our Valentine's Day Giveaways going on over HERE!!

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It's been awhile since I've posted anything about our Adventures in Amblyopia.  For the moment, life in the world of my son's eyesight is pretty quiet.

I was recently contacted by the founders of Lenz Frenz to see if I would be willing to help spread the word about their new product.  After checking out their website, Facebook and Kickstarter pages, I really felt like I had no choice!  Lenz Frenz is behind these adorable stuffed animals, designed to keep your child's glasses safe and secure.  Lenz Frenz came to  pass after a young boy nearly lost his eye due to a tragic bullying incident.  I love that this family turned something awful into such an amazing product!

Have a child wearing contact lenses?  There's a Lenz Frenz for those too!  Not only are they great to keep your child's glasses safe, but they are also a "glasses buddy" for your child; a stuffed animal to love that wears their own pair of glasses too!

In order for Lenz Frenz to fully come to pass, and be widely available, they need fundraising help!  Even a dollar or two is helpful.  You can find their Kickstarter program HERE.

As a mom to a young child in glasses, I am constantly concerned about how other children will perceive (and accept) my son and his glasses.  So  far, we haven't had any issues.  Unfortunately, I know other's haven't been so lucky.  I love the story behind Lenz Frenz and love what they're trying to accomplish.  And I am all about trying to help other companies that I feel would be beneficial to young children in glasses.  So.  If you can pay it forward with just a dollar or two to help this company get their product out there, that would be great.  I cannot wait to order my son his very own Lenz Frenz!

Adventures in Amblyopia: Part Seven

It's been awhile since I've done any amblyopia updates.  Mostly because it's been pretty quiet 'round these parts as far as my son's eyesight in concerned.  However, I've noticed a few mothers talking on Facebook about their frustrations with patching lately; AND I've had a few new moms (new as in they haven't asked me about it before, not new as in brand new babies :)  ) ask me about our journey with eyeglasses.  And, since we just had our quarterly eye visit, I figured now would be a good time for an update!

For those of you who are new to this series; here's the current scoop (you can start at Part One if you want the entire story!).

My son, Brychan, is now 5.  He just started Kindergarten last month (sniff, sniff). 

 We have been patching for 2 hours a day for almost a year now.  And when I say we patch for 2 hours a day, I mean some days we patch for 30 minutes and others we patch for 4+ hours.  I don't set a timer; I'm not tremendously strict about it.  He knows he has to patch everyday.  He knows if he wants to play on the computer, he has to have a patch on. I kind of let him set the limits as far as time is concerned. I figure it will all balance out in the end (and save a lot of tears and grief in the meantime).  However.  Having said that; if we go for a week where he's only patched for 30 minutes to an hour each day, then I start laying down the law and we play catch up.

It hasn't always been easy, but we are finally at a point where it works for both of us.  

He had a check up just last week, and we were told that Brychan's eyesight is at the absolute best it has ever been.  HALLELUJAH!!!!  Seriously.  I about cried.  To know that all the fighting, worry and tears (on my end and my son's) have not been in vain?  I about cried right there in Dr. Golub's office.  So.  We are going to keep on keepin' on with what we are doing.

And for all you new "patching moms" who are at your wits end trying to get your unwilling child to jump on board?  Don't give up!!  It will be worth it in the end.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Some day (hopefully sooner rather than later), your child will decide that patching is okay.  And then hopefully even quicker than that, you will be able to see the progress your child's eyes are making.  You can do it!!!

P.S.  If you are new to my blog and would like to read any of the other 9 articles I have written about our Adventures in Amblyopia, you can simply search the term "amblyopia" in the search box in the right hand column.  And, welcome, by the way!!  I hope you'll share a story or two and come back soon! :)

Adventures in Amblyopia: Dealing with Jealousy

It's been quite awhile since I've done a post about our adventures with amblyopia, which makes me kind of sad.  So...I'm going to try really hard to get back on that boat.

The topic that's been most on my mind lately is that awful, green-lettered word: Jealousy.

My 3 year old is insanely jealous of his big brother.  Jealous that big bro gets to go to a special eye doctor.  Jealous that big bro gets to wear cool eye patches.  Jealous that big bro (and mom, and dad, and grandparents) gets to wear fun glasses and gets special attention for those said glasses.

So, my 3 year old loves anything related to eye wear.

Which kind of makes me laugh.  If only he knew there was absolutely nothing to be jealous of, AND if I could get my 5 year old to be half as interested in patching as his little brother was, my life would be a breeze!

In order to help him feel more like a part of the "in" crowd we found an old pair of glasses (left behind by one of my brothers, I think) and popped the lenses out so he could have his very own pair of glasses.  He wore these things for several days straight.  And he still keeps tabs on them; he wants to know exactly where they're at; maybe in case he needs them right away?  Who knows.  But it seems to have helped for the moment.

So my question to you is: have you had to deal with jealousy issues at your home with glasses and/or patching?  How did you handle it?