Vision for Life Testimonials
My peripheral vision started opening up pretty quickly but it took me a while to be aware that it was opening. I think the first time I really noticed what I was able to see was in July. I was actually sitting in church on Sunday morning and there was a light off to the side that was flickering and I was able to see it. It was actually really distracting:) That was the beginning of me being aware of all the things I could see because of the peripheral vision that was opening up.
It was around that time or maybe into August that I started to notice the nystagmus slowing down a little. I was starting to be able to control my eyes better than I was before and I was starting to see success with the activities and stuff that I was doing while I was patching.
In October I started going to a Bible college in Oregon and that was a hard transition. The first month especially was stressful and I didn’t get much sleep. Stress and lack of sleep have always been two big triggers for my nystagmus and while that was still there I know my nystagmus would have been a lot worse if I had been going through all of that before starting therapy..
I have been doing simple balance exercises while I do syntonics and I have been being more intentional about working on my balance and I have noticed that it has gotten a lot better. Before I started it was so bad that I couldn’t even stand on one foot. But it has gotten so much better.
Before I started therapy I couldn’t write in a straight line on a blank unlined piece of paper. At church a couple weeks ago all I had to take notes on was a blank unlined piece of paper and I noticed that I was able to write in a straight line. I had to work at it but I was able to. I can read the slides that the teachers have for us in class and as long as the print isn’t super tiny or a weird color I can read the words. I have even seen improvement on how I am able to read the slides since the beginning of October when I started school. Wednesday nights we have a worship time where we sing worship songs and I usually try to be in the front so I can read the words that are put up on the projectors. Last Wednesday I came in late and was in the back which is a ways away from the screen. I was able to make out the words. It was a little hard to get my eyes to focus but I was able to and read the songs. I know I wouldn’t have been able to do that without therapy.
Sarah
Sarah
Chelsie
Chelsie
-Improved coordination & less accident prone. Loves soccer.
-Significant improvement in handwriting.
-More patience when working through math word problems (with multiple steps).
-While reading is still “robotic” and slow, Charlotte does a much better job with harder words. Before they were a complete impasse.
-Often cleans up room with organization with little or no prompting.
-Creatively makes up songs… about random things.
Nathan
Nathan
Loretta
Loretta
Brittany
Brittany
Kathy
Kathy
My doctors believed, and told me, that 3D vision can only be learned until a specific age. I always had thought that it was not true and when I read Fixing my gaze from Susan Barry at first time, my thinking got confirmation. This was my reality until things began to change in the year of 2017.
A Little Of My Background
I was born in Austria and moved to Finland when I was 5 years old. I have had a lazy eye (alternating esotropia with dissociated vertical deviation) since I was six months old. I’ve had four total operations as a child and an adult here in Finland. The third surgery, in 2004, left me with double vision. It wasn’t until 2017, when I had my fourth surgery followed by vision therapy, that I gained stereovision and fusion.
Before 2017, I saw my environment as in a photo without any depth perception at all. My doctors believed, and told me, that 3D vision can only be learned until a specific age. The doctors always thought that I would be too old to learn it and told me it would be impossible for me to ever gain 3D vision.
The Influence Of The Book Fixing My Gaze
Luckily, for me, and for patients around the world, Dr. Susan Barry challenged the old science and way of thinking. Her book has served as an information of Vision therapy.
For years I doubted this. I wondered, “Why can’t someone learn to see binocularly as an adult?” Then, I read Susan Barry’s book "Fixing My Gaze". Luckily, for me, and for patients around the world, Dr. Susan Barry challenged the old science and way of thinking. Her explanations of neuroplasticity made sense! I understood the brain controlled my vision, not just my eye muscles. I learned there was hope and I could do rehabilitative vision therapy. I had to search for more information myself and luckily, I never gave up.
The Influence of Vivid Vision To Boost Starting In A Vision Therapy Program
Vivid Vision has been one of the reasons why I am here now! I was finally able to experience 3D vision for myself after my final surgery in 2017 and subsequent vision therapy. I went through the Vivid Vision therapy program with the Oculus Rift from 2017-2019 under the supervision of Dr Julie Steinhauer and Vision For Life & Success. She also prescribed other therapy activities in addition to Vivid Vision. For example, I used the Bernell-O-Scope as well as red-green glasses, flipper prism lenses, Syntonic filter light therapy, and Brock string.
As a result of my final surgery and vision therapy, a whole new world opened for me! It was a different way to see and when I saw for the first time the layers of depth in trees, my eyes became filled with happy tears. I could not believe my eyes. My long-wished dream came true!
My local opticians here in Finland have followed me even after I graduated from vision therapy in 2018. They test my binocular vision and abilities using multiple tests. I now have a positive stereofly test and TNO test for example.
Dream To Help Others With Same Problems And Plans For The Future
As a result of my experience, I decided that I want to help others in the same situation. I am currently pursuing rehabilitation and Bachelor of Social Services degree with the hopes of eventually becoming a vision therapist. I've had the opportunity to do some optometry courses in the open university of applied sciences here in Finland. Vivid Vision among Vision therapy program has been one of the reasons why I am here now! I never thought this form of life which I’m living now to be possible. It feels like being in a roller coaster ride with ups and downs and learning new things in environment and in studies. It feels so unbelievable to be able to study again and read tons of books and write texts with computer.
I am also getting excited because this spring I am going to my first trainee for 2,5 months in the studies of social services. I am going to do for example multicultural work in a classroom in addition to project with young adults. Becoming a specialist of multicultural work is one of my biggest dreams among plans to be vision therapist, health scientist, or rehabilitation counselor. It would also be cool to find my way into studies of health science at university in medical faculty. I am also willing to be part of projects related to vision therapy and eye problems. Some day it would be cool to work in our hospital with eye patients advising them and establish a vision therapy program here.
Miia
Miia
Gulshan
Gulshan
Benny
Benny
Shawn
Shawn
Michelle
Michelle
UPDATE--
This far, I have noticed that slowly but surely progress in my blurriness of vision is progressing in decreasing. I am noticing that objects that were unrecognizable severely due to blurriness are starting to become recognizable. I am noticing outlines and am able to see things without feeling for them as much. I am also noticing as watching television it is not completely a big blur. I am starting to see objects or people move on the TV screen and follow it. It is still a little harder to recognize what I am watching completely as before but I am positive and see much progress as I have been able to actually enjoy watching a movie and seeing much better of the objects as I did prior to starting. I am also slowly starting to be able to read some words on my phone without having to enlarge them. This process of reading words again is slowly changing but I am seeing somewhat of a slight change this flight.
UPDATE--
His particular week was good as well. I noticed that progress is still moving along quite well slowly and surely. I am now working my eyes more and watching TV to focus on the television screen and try to see what I am able to recognize. I’m extremely hopeful and also have tested myself In maneuvering in the dark and it has been quite different from previous times. I am actually able to see some objects in the dark within my house such as the stairs and railing without turning on the light immediately. This is a big step for me and I know that it will only get better over time.
UPDATE--
This week was fantastic. I truly see a difference coming along slowly but surely and I am very encouraged. One milestone that I truly was able to recognize was I put down a vitamin tablet on my clear table and was actually able to see it before attempting to feel for it. This has been amazing because of how small it is and I was able to actually see it. I also was able to take another Zumba class and was able to follow along even better than I did a couple of weeks ago. I am truly excited to see such progress that is coming along. I also was able to differentiate and decipher flower colors that were brought into my home, the colors yellow and purple. The colors were able to pop a little more rather than being kind of washed out and foggy. I truly am excited thus far.
Jayla
Jayla
I love the therapy, my eyes just see much better after them and it gives me a boost for the day.
*Name changed at the request of the patient
*Adam
*Adam
We feel very blessed to have come across your service. We have been following the home program you gave us for a few months now and although some of the exercises have been a challenge for Tim*, we have already started to see changes in his vision.
For example, he is pointing things out to me as we are out and about - things that he never saw or noticed before. ‘There’s a red car’ or ‘I just saw someone on a bike’. He gets so happy when he sees these things. Even at home, he says ‘mum I just saw you pick up your phone’. His vision just seems to be slowly opening up.
We know he still has a journey ahead of him but we have so much hope now. We’re excited to see how much more progress he can make. Thank you so much!
*Names changed at the request of the patient
*Sarah
*Sarah
Chelsie
Chelsie
Chloe P.
Chloe P.
Asma
Asma
Justin
Justin
Kush never really used to hold his water bottle or drink water. He just refused at any cost...just this week that had changed.
He also now is aware if there is a stair or a step going up. He used to try crawling over it to get around but now he will take a step. That's a huge improvement for him.
Also, Kush is more alert... he’s more focused and will stare at me when trying to babble to me. Seems like he’s closer to talking because he is trying to communicate with us in some way. It’s still a concern of mine but I feel like he’s on his way to talking. Really hoping before his 2nd birthday.
As for his eye alignment. Wow...just wow. He is looking aligned when looking straight for longer periods of time now. He could always do it but just lost focus...now it seems he doesn’t need to focus as much to do but rather his alignment is happening naturally. It’s a noticeable change because he now tries to watch tv without having to tilt his
head to one side. It’s a noticeable change that my husband and I have noticed this week. Yes, he does have times when he’s not aligned but he picks up quickly to change it.
I won’t lie, the surrogate method was really out of my comfort zone. I do know it was making a change with me... but I wasn’t sure if it was doing anything to him because he’s sleeping while I’m touching his feet and looking at the light. I know that it is still early but I feel like this change is making me more positive.
This week has brought me so much joy and hope. As a parent with a child who had a third nerve palsy/strabismus, I felt depressed, sad and worried. I was thinking this must have been my fault. Already prepping for my child to have difficulty at school or maybe even having bullies. Even though that may happen, this week has changed my perception on all of that. It brings tears to my eyes. - Just thought I would share.
Neeta
Neeta
Chloe
Chloe
We had some fantastic results and we are planning to continue doing the syntonic light therapy. After some MR scans of his head they found a cyst on his Pituitary gland. So we also started doing some homeopathy treatment to drain out the toxins. Oliver is doing great now. He looks at us and smiles, he catches his toys, he can see small objects like dust on the floor. We are so happy for all the help and guidance we have received. If it wasn't for vision therapy, I really don't know if Oliver would see at all today, now we know he can see quite a lot. He is just 2 years old, so it is hard to know exactly how far and what he can see. But it is getting better and better. I highly recommend Vision For Life & Success.
Ida
Ida
I was always crossed eye in selfies but since I retired in 2017 that seems to be corrected now. Maybe someday I will always see the 3D!
Pat
Pat
It has been a commitment, with lots of hours and tears but we cannot thank Dr. Julie and Sherry for their dedication to our son’s care.
Ashley
Ashley
Sherry
Sherry
Mya
Mya
Shelli
Shelli
Brian
Brian
I started therapy when I was 8 years old, I had a problem called “Double Vision and Convergence Insufficiency” from birth. This caused me to have an extreme headache and not be able to enjoy my best hobbies like reading, I struggled a lot with learning, and I couldn’t enjoy any sports. It was this problem that my parents decided to book me in for Vision therapy. I was so excited that finally my eyes would get better, since I was suffering so much. Therapy was so hard and difficult at first, but with so much encouragement and motivation from Cheri (my therapist), I got accustomed to it. I had these daily, weird activities which I would spend only 20 minutes on and then I would update Cheri each week, about these activities. They strained my eyes, yet it was fun!
Therapy has helped me so much, now in the second unit of my section, I use eye charts and do incredible things which I have never dreamt of doing before! Standing without my glasses at least 6 feet away from my letter chart and reading it now, whereas when I started, I couldn’t read it at a quarter of a foot! Soon, I’ll be able to read tiny writing at ten feet!
I would highly recommend this therapy to anyone having vision problems, major or minor. I hope you also will be able to benefit from therapy and have normal vision just like everybody else! Also, I learnt, great effort will lead you to success, no matter how hard, DON’T EVER GIVE UP, YOU WILL MAKE IT IF YOU TRY!
Gurpreet
Gurpreet
When Kelsie started Vision for Life. She was very frustrated with reading and comprehension and it would take hours to complete homework. At the initial assessment, Dr.Julie took one look at Kelsie and said she had Strabismus. Dr. Julie could see this with her sitting in the chair. Kelsie was also wearing glasses that were too strong for her and this was messing with her depth perception. Kelsie’s eyes were not reading left to right. She would come back to the second word. She was working so hard to get the words correct she was unable to comprehend what she read. After three months of therapy, Kelsie was out of her glasses. As she continued therapy, Kelsie’s confidence increased and she now enjoys reading more. This is not only true for her schoolwork, but also in sports. Since her depth perception improved, she is able to play goalie more for her soccer team. We are working on multiple year gap in reading comprehension, but it is improving every quarter. The last year has been a time commitment, but we feel this has been a lifesaver for her future.
A special thank you to Kelsie’s therapist Tammy C., who was Kelsie’s cheerleader helping her and encouraging her to keep pushing. We appreciate your dedication and help along the way.
We are forever thankful for Vision for Life.
Justin and Shannon
Justin and Shannon
Mary Beth S.
Mary Beth S.
A special thank you to her therapist, Sherry T., who week after week was a constant help. Her encouragement and commitment to Evie’s progress is evident because of the growth that Evie has accomplished.
We are forever thankful for Vision for Life.
Ben and Francee
Ben and Francee
It has been a year since starting Vision Therapy and we have seen great improvement with her reading, focus, as well as improved emotional outburst. Ziva is so proud of herself to be able to read books with her sister, cross her eyes, and she sees objects at a distance. The other night she informed us that she is able to see all around her (increased peripheral vision). Ziva still occasionally runs into items but not as before and she is able to sit at a meal most nights without falling out of her chair which has improved meal times greatly. We even noticed she doesn’t have random bruising that she doesn’t
remember running into anything. Ziva is more confident than before when it comes to her school work and reading aloud. We also notice that her attitude has improved from being hard on herself to having more confidence. She is faster with her school work and we have learned she is a visual learner which helps us to teach her new material. As mentioned above she is less clumsy as well as better at hitting a target such as aiming an arrow at a target or shooting basketballs. Also we have noticed she doesn’t suffer as much from motion sickness. If it wasn’t for a devastated 6 year old telling us she couldn’t cross her eyes, we wouldn’t have known there was an issue early on. I am thankful our daughter was brave to tell us she couldn’t cross her eyes which led us to calling Dr. Julie. We are grateful and thankful for all the help, patience, teaching, sessions and words of encouragement for both Ziva and I to help us through our therapy journey. To someone just beginning Ziva and I want to tell you, “You can do this! It will help you! You got this!”
Thank you Vision for Life!!!
Mary R.
Mary R.
Nieccole H.
Nieccole H.
Vision of the left eye has improved at near and far distance. Now I can see things with my left eye that before I couldn't.
I also notice a huge increase in my visual field in both eyes. This has helped me a lot in my daily life.
Recently, I have also noticed a decrease of anxiety. I used to feel a lot of anxiety. I always thought that this was due to astigmatism in my right eye.
I am 28 years old and excited to continue my therapy.
Miguel
Miguel
Ann T.
Ann T.
After 45 weeks of vision therapy, my daughter can not only do all the things she couldn't before therapy, but her vision isn't bubbly anymore. She no longer wears glasses for distance, and instead wears a slight prescription for near work. The most important part? My child is confident! She doesn't dread doing school work because she can see it! Her favorite hobbies include putting together 1000 piece Lego sets using the manual to guide her, doin art projects, and reading. She has joined a cheer squad, able to distinguish left from right, she can perform the moves with her team!
Vision therapy was life-changing, our answered prayer!
I am 60 years old and in very good physical/emotional health. My husband and I have been married for 33 years and we have 2 grown children.
I have a challenging and meaningful professional life, with significant leadership responsibility.
As a young child, I had a problem with a right eye turn, had surgery at 8 yrs. that seemed to “correct” the problem but started having double vision in my late teens.
I had vision therapy for 1.5 years when I was 22 years old and still consider that to have been a success.
I had no apparent physical challenges with my eyes until about 5 years ago.
About 2 years ago, I began make significant adjustments to my head/neck/body position to compensate for my right eye turn in and found myself avoiding activities I had always enjoyed – road biking, skiing, running on mountain trails.
I also began having significant challenges with processing information (basically, just thinking) – both at work and in my personal life.
I began to search for a solution. The doctor who had treated me in my 20's had died and the doctor who assumed his practice treated children only. My husband and I live in Wyoming in a small mountain town and so I was looking well beyond that, anywhere in the USA for a practice qualified to help me.
I found Vision for Life on the Internet. Actually, I found a couple of Dr. Steinhauer’s YouTube videos and was so excited, because I knew that she could help me. And that was confirmed when my husband I visited her office and underwent an evaluation of my particular case.
My problems were actually worse that what any of us had expected but we made a plan.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like having this kind of therapy as a remote patient, but I have been doing this for almost 15 months and am very happy with my progress. Better said… it has been great. The communication has been trouble-fee, and the process overall has been manageable. Much like my exercise and professional lives, the vision therapy is very much a part of my daily life.
I look forward to my weekly sessions with Jo Anne who is a skilled and compassionate therapist and Dr. Julie (as I have come to call her) works with her to manage my case.
My vision and ability to use both eyes has improved dramatically – my head and neck are straight and life, in general, is just so much easier. (That would be another email that I could spend all day writing!!
I still have a good amount of work ahead of me, but I don’t care what it takes, because I’m happy and improving all the time.
I hope that this information will be helpful as you make some decisions about your situation.
Michelle, mother of Chloe
In the last year Karpenter has become independent in her school work and is catching up on a multiple year gap in reading comprehension.
She says she no longer saw double after a few months and is aware of how to control her eyes so that it is natural and no longer a struggle.
We and her teachers now see her earning As and Bs on her own and the fighting has drastically been reduced.
With a little preparation, she now comfortably reads at school masses and aloud in the classroom.
While the last year has been a time commitment we feel that it has been a life saver for her confidence, education, and future.
Thank you Vision for Life.
--Wynter
Her application of a wide range of exercises were leaps and bounds better than the doctors I had seen in 13 years. She worked with me every step of the way as my eyes changed, identifying areas of weakness and prescribing exercises to make these weaknesses strengths. I have never thought I would go from 20/150 to 20/30 ever! Truly Dr. Julie is a miracle worker!
Thank you Vision For Life especially Cheri and Dr. Julie!
--Sherry
So thankful,
Francee
My husband and I have no regrets bringing both of our children to Vision For Life. It has been the best investment we have ever made. both of our children went from desperately needing glasses to hardly needing them or not needing them at all. We are very grateful to Dr. Steinhauer and staff for what they have done for our children's eyesight.
--Genaya C.
So Thankful, Francee
Thankful for the alternative approach that helped me get to the root of the problem and not just masking the symptoms.
I was fed up with hearing there was nothing else I could do for my declining vision. I am a young woman, with young children and a business. To have your vision deteriorate so rapidly became a major wake up call. I am so thankful for the trust I placed in Vision for Life. For someone who has an appreciation for the body and how it works, my therapy became something I became more and more intrigued about. Vision for Life implemented a program that provided structure in a phased approach, addressing all of my needs. The quality of the program has blown me away. Over time with consistency and the help from Vision for Life, I quickly recognized a difference in my overall vision. A little piece of freedom was restored when my double vision diminished, depth perception was restored. It was work, it required an investment in time and money, and my therapy became a part of my life, requiring consistency, but it has been completely worth it! I am so incredibly grateful for Dr. Julie and for my therapist, Jo Anne, who has been extremely patient with me through the process. We’ve had lots of laughs and I will certainly miss this weekly date!
Thank you Vision For Life!
--Elisabeth B.
Denise
Denise
Dr. Julie immediately started taking down her prescription and now she is only wearing glasses for reading. When she used to take off her glasses her eye would immediately turn in and now she is walking around controlling it. Truly amazing! This is helping her so much in competitive gymnastics, she no longer wears contacts to participate.
It’s helped her self-confidence in school, as well. She used to detest reading out loud, the words appeared double or blurry and it was such a strain for her to push through. So many tears! Now, she asks to read and is progressing so much better. We highly recommend Vision for Life and only trust Dr. Julie with our daughter vision. She simply is the best!
Now, Betsy is much more laid back and relaxed. She does not get frustrated or angry nearly as quickly and easily. Betsy is much more willing to participate in activities. Betsy seems to be much more aware of her environment and where she is at in her environment. She rarely walks into things and I don't even know the last time she tripped. Betsy loves to look at books and be read to now. She can consistently identify 12 letters (both upper case and lower case), and with less consistently identify up to 20 letters and single digit numbers.
The behavior and mood changes due to vision therapy have been amazing. Academically, she is much closer to her peers than last year and almost fully caught up to where she should be.
In September I travelled 9000 kilometers from Romania to reach Vision for life.
Thank you Dr. Steinhauer, thank you Joanne, thank you Vision for life! You are a blessing for me.
During a routine eye appointment we were referred to Dr. Julie at Vision for Life. I had mentioned in passing to the optometrist that Lucas wouldn't hold eye contact with anyone and had difficulty focusing. He did an additional evaluation and despite everything being okay from the optometrist's point of view as far as structure of the eye, etc. there is a lot of processing from the eye to the brain and Lucas probably needed some extra help with that.
At Vision for Life they did a long and thorough evaluation with Lucas to identify his areas of need. Dr. Julie is incredibly sweet and passionate about her work. Lucas's therapist's; Joanne, patience each week working with him was awesome. The exercises they do with them at therapy and the ones sent home cover a variety of activities not only focused on eyes but coordination, balance and strength. It is a long process that is definitely worth it. Lucas has gone from jumping all over, complaining about reading 3 letter words to trying to read signs along the road and subtitles on TV! It is such a relief that since Lucas doesn't struggle as much with reading the words he can actually focus on comprehending the story he is reading. It is a process that never really ends but if we come to any big bumps along the way I know I can reach out to Vision For Life at any time. I can not thank everyone at Vision For Life enough for their cooperation, coaching and caring.
Academically, Jaden has always performen average to above average in all areas, and we have not had concerns. However, with vision therapy, we have seen Jaden excel even more academically. At the beginning of 3rdgrade he was reading at a 5thgrade 4thmonth level, and at the end of 3rdgrade, star testing found him to perform at a freshman year 4thmonth level. HUGE GAINS! He scored greater than 99%of students nationally on this test, and can likely read 170 words per min. on grade level appropriate text. Jaden was also one of the top 12 spellers in 3rdgrad, and got to participate in the spelling bee. We have also seen improvements in his writing abilities. We arw very proud of Jaden and his commitment to vision therapy, and thankful for all the gains he has made in various areas.
Nathan use to see the word and picture when he was skimming to read. now when Nathan reads, he sees only the words. No more skimming and he reads every word he sees.
Thanks to Dr. Julie & Tammy, we are so thankful and grateful to both of them!
Carol - Grandmother of Nathan
No more bumps and bruises!
Denise
Denise
Her physical coordination also has improved along with her confidence in her ability. We see this especially in her swimming. Her strokes are much more fluid and clean.
Overall we are extremely pleased with her progress in VT. Her handwriting is not always neat, but it’s not because she can’t write neatly, it’s because she doesn’t want to do it…. Preteens!!!
We can’t thank Cheri enough for the time and hard work she put in to helping Garrison.
I’m so glad we found Dr. Julie and the staff at Vision For Life. I don’t know where Garrison would be today if we didn’t come to vision therapy. Garrison's balance is so much better also, and he learned to ride his bike this past summer!
At his last eye exam appointment, his eye doctor told us that this was the first time in quite a few visits that his eye glass prescription hasn’t increased!
But now, thanks to vision therapy, I have been getting an A+.
Miranda
Miranda
The cost of the therapy was a shock to me and my husband; however our son’s eyesight and success in life were worth far more. It was definitely one of the best investments we have ever made. His range of vision has increased 10 fold and his vision overall has gotten better. He’s able to play sports and participate in activities without his glasses. He still uses his glasses to read, but at least he likes reading now.
Vision therapy also was a learning experience for my son. It helped him with his memory, eye movement, numbers, distinguishing items from one another, etc. This was a lot for a 4-year-old, but it definitely helped him prepare for kindergarten and his future. There are no regrets between my husband and myself for investing our money and time in vision therapy and our son.
Genaya C.
Genaya C.
Before vision therapy, I struggled with driving a lot. I had trouble judging distance and using my peripheral vision to see objects. Now, both those skills are much improved. I have since gotten my driver’s license and am able to comfortably drive myself and my siblings to different places.
I also had trouble reading. My eyes would get tired and I would often fall asleep whenever I tried to read. I can read now and I rarely fall asleep, unless I’m very tired.
Justine S.
Justine S.
Her printing/penmanship has improved as well.
She has been learning to ride a bike with success!
Kristine M.
Kristine M.
Ashley K.
Ashley K.
Lisa L.
Lisa L.
Rae H.
Rae H.
Jennifer W.
Jennifer W.
We express our concerns to his pediatrician and came to the conclusion that Occupational and Behavioral Therapy was in his best interest. While in OT it was recommended to us to have Jack see Dr. Julie Steinhauer at Vision For Life. The OT therapist seemed to think his problems were more vision related. Dr. Julie did a full vision exam on Jack and she began to explain to us Jack's vision problems. She told us that with vision therapy she believed these problems could be corrected. Dr. Julie then proceeded to have my wife and I put on a pair of glasses and see the world that Jack lives in. Our hearts dropped. Jack's world was nothing but visual confusion. From a lack of a visual field to double/triple images, no wonder tasks were so challenging to him. We knew that we had to give vision therapy a shot. Ms. JoAnne, who would lead Jack's therapy, showed us the training rooms and some various exercises that would be done.
As we close in our year long journey of therapy, the difference is outstanding. jack's vision has improved exactly like Dr. Julie said it would. jack has enjoyed great success at school with less stress and anxiety. He recently participated in the Triad Invitational Middle School Model United Nations with his 7th Grade class. He was excited to attend and tell us about meeting new students from other schools and how he participated on different committees. He is succeeding at his Martial Arts class and is regularly participating in group activities and mat chats where answering questions and speaking in front of his peers is required. With his vision success, we have seen his confidence level continue to grow and a new found sense of humor starting to blossom.
My wife and I fell Jack's success has started with Vision Therapy. The work that Dr. Julie and her staff are doing is not only AMAZING, it is life changing.
Todd & Heather
Todd & Heather
we found out through testing that Payten had double vision, which made it very difficult for her to see the words she was being asked to read. Payten had headaches every day, which made her feel very sick. Payten also had anxiety about school. She knew school was hard fro her, so she did not ever want to go.
After going through the Vision Therapy process, Payten is a completely different child. She loves school. her teacher even said that she is always telling Payten to put away her book because she constantly wants to read! She even asked if I would take her to the library a few weeks ago. We are both very thankful for Vision Therapy and what it has done for our family. Our ultimate goal was for Payten to like school and do well at it. She had all A's on her last report card and cannot wait to go to school each day! Thank you Dr. Julie and the Vision For Life Staff for everything you did for Payten and our family.
Jodi
Jodi
Sharon
Sharon
Rae
Rae
Lori
Lori
Melanie
Melanie
Bridgett
Bridgett
Michael
Michael
Natalie
Natalie
I’ll never be able to express our thanks to Dr. Julie and her staff. The encouragement and hope we got along the way of this journey was awesome. It was hard at times, but well worth the time and expense. May God continue to bless Dr. Julie and her staff as they help others. Thanks for being such a blessing to us!
Maria
Maria
Now, after Vision Therapy, I don’t skip words and I understand what I read much better. I can copy from one line to another and from the board to my paper much easier. In math, the problems are easier, because the columns are lined up better and I can understand word problems much better. I don’t throw a fit anymore and try to stall when doing word problems. My penmanship is better and the words are spaced much more consistently. I can now hit and catch baseballs much easier now, and I made many baskets last basketball season.
Trent
Trent
After vision therapy, our lives have completely changed. Katie loves school now! She does her homework as soon as she gets home without being told and rarely needs help. She is excelling to the point she has made the honor roll and is among the first to finish her work in class. Her self-esteem is up, and she feels good about herself, confident and proud that she is now one of the “smart kids”. She’s so proud of herself and enthusiastic about school, she no longer dreads going. In fact, she has been writing a children’s book on her own, and the school is going to have it published for her. Vision therapy has made all the difference in the world to her and us.
Amber
Amber
Brad
Brad
As you know he had been under several other doctors’ care and they all wanted to treat him with drugs, which all had terrible side effects. Ethan would even early on tell us it wasn’t helping, but out of desperation his parents felt it the only thing to do at the time although not liking the course it was taking him on. We feel you have been an answer to prayer and thank God daily for the change in Ethan.
You have given Ethan a new start on life and he feels it too. I am just sorry for all the children who are misdiagnosed and/or don’t have the money to go through your program. When I tell people about it they look very skeptical, but Ethan is living proof your program works. I am grateful to Brian, my son in law who dedicated much time into seeing Ethan’s therapy through. It is a big commitment, but the results are worth every effort.
I could tell by the time Ethan was eighteen months old that something wasn’t right as I was his caretaker for six years. I just wish we would have found you sooner, but the main thing is we did. Again I just wanted you to know we thank God for you. You were an answer to our prayers.
Jan
Jan
Kerri
Kerri
We stumbled across Brain balance in March of 2013 and where it led us…Vision For Life…has been life changing! They immediately identified vision issues. Keep in mind that Ethan was so uncooperative at this point he was not even able to complete his testing at Brain Balance.
Ethan had been through two schools, was difficult to manage even at home. He was very smart (reading at 5th grade level in Pre-K) but he had behavioral problems at school. He got frustrated very easily. He could not tie his shoes or ride a bike at age 6. We were at the end of our rope when he was suspended after less than 10days at public school. We had moved him from private to public thinking they had the resources to support his needs. We knew we had to find a solution and we found it via Brain Balance. He started Vision For Life in June 2013 and by mid August he was riding a bike and tying his shoes!! Major behavioral changes started taking place and the fabulous kid, that we only once in awhile saw glimmers of, finally emerged.
We tell everyone we can about all that Vision For Life has done for Ethan and our family. We hope and pray that others find you and quickly!! Our kids deserve solutions not medications and Vision For Life is an absolutely incredible solution!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
P.S. While Ethan is 95% better, our plan is to finish his “solution” at Brain Balance.
Jennifer D.
Jennifer D.
Now that we have completed therapy, Isabella is more willing at homework time AND it goes much faster. Her reading has improved greatly and she is reading lengthy chapter books and even enjoys it!!
We are so thankful for the staff at Vision for Life and have been blessed by all they have done to help Isabella.
Keri
Keri
There are many new things beginning to open up for Matthew. For the first time, he is getting compliments from his classmates for doing well in PE. He is starting to enjoy sports more and more. At age 11, that is a huge plus for a boy that was slightly clumsy. He is doing better in school! He is paying attention more and staying on task! How I have longed to hear these reports from his teachers.
His memory skills are starting to improve and he is having less and less trouble doing homework. He is also telling me more about his day at school and seems to be remembering more information so hopefully studying for tests will be easier. He also has matured in ways that have been wonderful to see. His coordination is much better. He has better sleep patterns now. He is less nervous and more confident. He is also more assertive.
In addition to this his visual skills have greatly improved. His eyes are working as a team now. His right eye doesn't cross when he reads. His tracking during reading is much better. For Matt his visual memory skills have been an issue and they too have been improved ( i.e.: math facts are getting easier).
We are very glad that we participated in the 32 week program. I would highly recommend to anyone who has a child that struggles in school due to a visual learning problem to call the office. Dr. Julie's program works!
Georgia W.
Georgia W.
When we moved to Glen Carbon, IL. Three years ago, we couldn’t understand why our daughter, Hannah, was struggling so much with reading and with school in general. Hannah had struggled in pre-school and kindergarten as well.
After an eye exam from a local eye doctor, we learned Hannah had no peripheral vision. We were referred to Dr. Julie Steinhauer. After testing with Dr. Julie we learned Hannah had some pretty significant issues and began vision therapy.
The vision therapy process was difficult and at times very frustrating.
I would like to go on to say proudly that Hannah has now graduated from vision therapy! She has decreased her eye glass prescription at least twice, has more confidence, and her peripheral vision is back! (That was HUGE for her safety and sports!)
I am also proud to say all of her grades have improved from C’s, D’s, and F’s to all A’s and B’s on her last two report cards and she now loves school!
Marcy H.
Marcy H.
During the exam, I was shocked at how big the letters needed to be on the wall in order for him to see them. Especially since he had known his alphabet for 2 years already. Then when he was asked to grab the fly wing on the stereo activity test and he could not see it at all. I started to get really concerned. We had not recognized any symptoms to his vision issues until he played t-ball and soccer his kindergartener year. He wasn’t catching the ball or chasing after it. He would not see his team mates running along side of him unless he turned his head to look directly at them.
We found Dr. Steinhauer and started vision therapy right away to correct his vision. Dr. Steinhauer, Jo Anne and the staff helped us to improve our son’s vision from 20/60 and 20/50 to 20/20 in both eyes. He can see all angles peripherally and can now grab the fly wing and much more! His self confidence has improved over the year and now is ready to give sports another try.
At such a young age of 6, and while it was a challenge to keep his focus- we were able to work together on activities required slight modifications and others he turned into games and family fun.
In the end, the hard work has really paid off and we are grateful for the results. Thank you Vision For Life!
The Nehrt Family
The Nehrt Family