Mums come in all sorts of flavours – biological mums, step-mums, foster mums, carers, grannies, just-like-a mums – and we want to make sure this Mother’s Day is inclusive for all of them, whether they are blind and partially sighted or are caring for children with visual impairment.
We spoke to Lorna Davies, who was born with visual impairment, about how she and her two children make Mother’s Day special…
Can you share what Mother’s Day means to you personally?
Mother’s Day is really special. I didn’t think motherhood was in reach for me growing up. There wasn’t much representation growing up that mothers could be blind and be good mothers too, so when it comes round to celebrating Mother’s Day, I really cherish it, because I’m just so grateful, and thankful to be a mother to my little boys!
How has your experience as a blind mother shaped your approach to parenting?
I don’t necessarily think my blindness has shaped my parenting in any significant way as my sight loss is so normal to me. I, of course, have to take much more care with certain things, for example, when taking my children out alone, there is a lot more to navigate for myself,
My oldest son is visually impaired too, so in a way, this has really helped me accept my sight loss, as I really want to be a good blind role model to him. Before having children. I was quite embarrassed about my sight loss, but now it’s just a part of me that I am fully okay with and hopefully Rex will be as well.
I also think my sight loss has made my children very understanding and caring as they, for one, have to be very patient as things take me longer and also they sometimes have to help me out with the odd thing such as finding the correct tin of baked beans in the cupboard, or putting the washing machine on the right setting! They love helping me, which I am so grateful for.
Do you have any special Mother’s Day traditions with your family?
Our Mother’s Day traditions are fairly wholesome – usually I’m lucky enough to get breakfast in bed and we always like to go on a nice family walk if the weather is nice enough!
I also really love it, when the boys make me handmade Mother’s Day cards, they are usually tactile in some way, which is so special.
How do you navigate shopping for gifts and essentials as a blind parent?
Shopping for me as a blind parent is usually easiest online! The descriptions are so helpful, and I can do it completely independently which is nice not to rely on others for help,
What advice would you give to other blind or partially sighted parents or expecting mothers?
The advice I would give to other blind parents or parents-to-be is to just be confident in your parenting style. Just because you have sight loss, it doesn’t mean you are a bad parent in any other way. Don’t be scared to ask for help or guidance, especially from other blind parents that fully understand your circumstances
I also thought people would judge me for being a blind parent, but no one does. Just be the best you can, I feel like all parents have their struggles. Mine just happens to be sight loss.
