Many children wish to go to the ballet during the holiday season, but it was a special dream for Lily Lueders. The Austin, Texas, native, who turns 9 years old on Dec. 21, was diagnosed with Optic Nerve Hypoplasia when she was three months old.
The condition causes blindness in her right eye and limited vision (20/800) in her left. Due to a small malformation of the optic nerve in the brain, Lily has troubles with nystagmas (involuntary shaking of the eyes) and issues with depth perception. PEOPLE talked with Lily’s mom, Kimmy Lueders, who says her daughter has learned to navigate the world as she sees it: “She has always done better than we could have imagined.”
With the help of advanced assistive eyewear technology, Lily and other guests were able to see the classic, Christmas-themed ballet for the first time. Using a cutting-edge camera, smart algorithms and high-resolution screens, eSight creates a crystal clear, real-time image of what is in front of the user, enabling people with central vision loss to see and live independently.
Dell Technologies
“As sighted parents, we cannot fathom missing that sense,” says Lily’s mom, Kimmy. “But we have always strived to provide early childhood support and today she is thriving. She confuses me because the girl can accidentally bump into a pole one day (if she isn’t paying attention), but pick up a quarter off the sidewalk the next day. The truth is, we have full expectations and faith in her and, in turn, she is one of the bravest, most independent people I know.”
Kimmy says the first eSight fitting was very cool: Lily could read letters off a vision chart across the room for the first time. The technology has many remarkable features; when plugged into the computer for the first time, Lily was “awestruck.” She describes using eSight as being in a black and white movie where she can change and control the contrast colors through her glasses. They provide a fuller, more in-depth picture of the world around her.
“The first couple tries at home, she would have these moments where words would fail and she would just let out this excited giggle,” says Kimmy. “It really is the sweetest thing for a mother to experience her child experiencing the world like never before.”
Coincidentally, Lily has always been a fan of ballerinas, and from a very early age one of her habits was a love of spinning. “She can spin and spin and not get dizzy and we’ve always joked she would make a ballerina dizzy,” laughs Kimmy. The Lueders are currently searching for an all-abilities ballet class for Lily to join.
Less magical, however, is the cost of four therapy sessions a week. The young family often finds themselves struggling to pay bills and provide support for Lily and her younger brother, James. Anyone who feels inspired to help can check outLily’s Go Fund Mepage.
Kimmy says the Lueders’s Christmas plans are family-centered. Holiday lights, movies and sweet treats are a big tradition in their household. WillThe Nutcrackerbecome a tradition for years to come?
“We have talked about how special of a night it was for all of us many times since the show,” says Kimmy. “Lily is a very special little girl who deserves the world. eSight and Dell helped make that world a little more accessible.”
source: people.com
