It Could Be Your Eyes
Are you a parent who has been searching for answers to why your child is struggling academically? Have you been told that your child needs strabismus surgery or patching, and it just doesn’t feel right to you? Are you trying to set your kiddo with sensory needs up for success and feeling lost in the process? Have you suffered a brain injury or concussion and refuse to accept that these current limitations are your permanent “new normal”? My name is Dr. Juanita Collier and I am a Behavioral Optometrist with a private practice specializing in Vision Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Development. Through diving deep with my team, parents, patients, and professionals, we will uncover that vision may be the underlying cause of real life challenges in academics, work, sports, and daily life. While we often think 20/20 eyesight is perfect vision, vision actually takes place in the brain. And if there is any disconnect, any slight lack of coordination between the brain and the eyes, how you see what’s in front of you can be remarkably different than what’s actually there. Through this podcast, you will discover, that the challenges that you are facing may actually be stemming from a difficulty with how you’re seeing…It Could Be Your Eyes.
It Could Be Your Eyes
Are My Eyes Prepared to Drive? featuring Raechaell Corbett, OTR/L
Our vision affects our ability to do countless everyday tasks. To work, to communicate, to read, and – to get from one place to another.
Our featured guest is Raechaell Corbett, an Occupational Therapist and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist who also has a driving instructor license. She works with Easterseals to help assess that individuals have the skills required to safely operate motor vehicles.
Here, we talk with Raechaell about her work – the complicated nature of vision in regards to driving (there’s a lot to it!), and how people with vision impairments can get the resources they need to get back on the road and have their independence restored.
We believe Raechaell’s work is so important because getting people back on the road safely can empower them to gain control over their lives – in more ways than one.
In this episode you’ll hear about:
- Raechaell’s background and roles prior to this position, working with clients suffering from low vision (macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, etc.)
- The scope of visual screening required to safely drive a car, from visual acuity to peripheral vision and visual perception skills
- The positive impact in-person games and sports can have on a child’s vision, and the negative impacts of screens
- Things parents should consider when assessing whether their teens are ready to drive – for example, how good are they at everyday activities that require multitasking?
- Strategies for nervous drivers who are anxious about returning to the road – particularly people who’ve undergone health challenges (stroke, traumatic brain injury) or accidents
- Other therapies a person might need besides vision therapy before returning to the road (occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc.)
Resources & Links
For more on Raechaell and the Easterseals of Greater Waterbury, visit their website or send an email at driver@eswct.com.
Being a safe driver demands a lot more from your vision than the department of motor vehicles requires. That's why we developed our newest digital program, 4D Built to Drive. This 6 month program can be done at your home, at your own pace, and help you build skills like understanding space, peripheral awareness, depth perception, and more so that you can become a confident, safe driver. 4D Built to Drive hands you the keys to an independent life. Visit our website to learn more today.
Follow us at 4D Vision Gym on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/4Dvisiongym) and Instagram (@4dvisiongymvt) for the latest news and updates. DM us if you have any Vision Therapy related questions - you may hear the answer in a future episode!