A Comment from Richard F.
Richard is the director of development in the Rocky Mountain Region, of “Foundation Fighting Blindness”. I thought his words were very kind and, I decided to write it in my journal. His comment goes like this.
Carmen,I can tell that your blog is very personal and insightful to what it is like for Preston, you and your family. That's great! This will give others of visually challenged children an opportunity to see what it is like and how they can be empowered and rise above these challenges. Life goes on!Could you send me an outline or summary of your book and what it will cover and maybe even an excerpt from the book to read?That way I can get a flavor of how you write and your perspective.
Thanks for being a light in the darkness!
Richard
Shortly after his comment was posted on my blog, I became a board member of the Foundation.
I had attended a chapter meeting in the early summer time, and had so much respect for the people and the Doctor that I had meet. They are working so hard to make a difference.
I am honored to be on the board! I know that it does not directly deal with my son Preston’s eye issues, but it is still low vision and blindness.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mimi
Preston’s Grandmother Mimi
I just wanted to acknowledge Preston’s Grandmother Becky. We call her Mimi; she is my husband’s mother.
Mimi has been one of Preston’s strongest supporters and cheerleaders. Mimi sends Preston care packages as an incentive for him to patch everyday. She has been sending him packages for almost four years, right from the start! She truly does love her grandson!
I wanted to say Thank you for loving him so much and wanting him to get better!
When I first told Becky about my idea writing children’s books, and why I wanted to write them. It was because; I really want to help Preston and other children with the challenges and low vision. She was so happy for me and thought that it was a great Idea to write the Patch Land Books.
Becky wanted to let me know that her support was there in whatever it was that I needed to get started, as a children’s book author. I was very excited to hear the enthusiasm in her voice over the phone that it brought little tears I have to say. I could tell that she knew how important this is to me, to get these books out in print and start to bring awareness about Amplyopia and low vision, and also to help the children use the books as a patching tool.
Becky Lives in Indiana and comes to see us in Colorado as much as possible. She bought some mountain property, and we go there in the summer time and camp. Preston loves it there, because there is so much to do. I was able to bring some real life experiences into the book of Patch Land because of Mimi! Once my books are in print you will be able to read the stories and see how much fun Preston has on his adventures.
I could go on and on, I just wanted to make sure that people know she was a big part of putting all this together!
Thanks again Mimi we love ya!
I just wanted to acknowledge Preston’s Grandmother Becky. We call her Mimi; she is my husband’s mother.
Mimi has been one of Preston’s strongest supporters and cheerleaders. Mimi sends Preston care packages as an incentive for him to patch everyday. She has been sending him packages for almost four years, right from the start! She truly does love her grandson!
I wanted to say Thank you for loving him so much and wanting him to get better!
When I first told Becky about my idea writing children’s books, and why I wanted to write them. It was because; I really want to help Preston and other children with the challenges and low vision. She was so happy for me and thought that it was a great Idea to write the Patch Land Books.
Becky wanted to let me know that her support was there in whatever it was that I needed to get started, as a children’s book author. I was very excited to hear the enthusiasm in her voice over the phone that it brought little tears I have to say. I could tell that she knew how important this is to me, to get these books out in print and start to bring awareness about Amplyopia and low vision, and also to help the children use the books as a patching tool.
Becky Lives in Indiana and comes to see us in Colorado as much as possible. She bought some mountain property, and we go there in the summer time and camp. Preston loves it there, because there is so much to do. I was able to bring some real life experiences into the book of Patch Land because of Mimi! Once my books are in print you will be able to read the stories and see how much fun Preston has on his adventures.
I could go on and on, I just wanted to make sure that people know she was a big part of putting all this together!
Thanks again Mimi we love ya!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Preston Starts 2nd Grade!
Preston Starts 2nd Grade!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Preston started 2nd grade a little while ago, and he really likes his teacher Ms. Dey. She is a perfect match for Preston as an educator and person. She understands Preston’s personality and challenges and makes sure he gets the help that he needs. He does struggle a little bit with his reading so he gets the help that he needs a couple of times a week. During class time, he will have to leave for awhile, all to help him get to the reading level that he needs to be at. When he is done he will come back to class and join the rest of his classmates.
I have Preston read to me in the evenings as much as possible. He has shown improvement since he has started 2nd grade and that makes me so happy! I just hope with time he can get to the reading level he needs to be at. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
It is hard to figure out if he is having issues seeing the words or not, when he is reading in evening with his glasses on he puts the book right up to his face very close.
Preston will be going to see his eye Doctor the 1st week of Jan. before he tracks back on to school so, I will find out than and we will go from there. What ever it is we need to do we will.
I will keep you all posted on that!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A Review From A Great Friend!
Dear Carmen,
It is 6:33 am as I read your Blogs about this incredible journey little Preston You, and Yorkk have been on, I can barely contain myself as I am tearing up cause I love you all so much, The Doctors who made those incorrect diagnosis should be ashamed of they're incompetence, but sweetheart let me tell you that your writing of these Patchland books are a gift from GOD, Many Great things are born out of trials and I thank The Most High GOD that our Preston is showing improvement in his eyes (Hallelujah). Carmen this is my observations in reading your writings, first of all you are an Author whom writes children's books, not a writer of children's books.
Love You and I am very proud of you keep up the good work
Greg
Former NFL Defensive Linesman
It is 6:33 am as I read your Blogs about this incredible journey little Preston You, and Yorkk have been on, I can barely contain myself as I am tearing up cause I love you all so much, The Doctors who made those incorrect diagnosis should be ashamed of they're incompetence, but sweetheart let me tell you that your writing of these Patchland books are a gift from GOD, Many Great things are born out of trials and I thank The Most High GOD that our Preston is showing improvement in his eyes (Hallelujah). Carmen this is my observations in reading your writings, first of all you are an Author whom writes children's books, not a writer of children's books.
Love You and I am very proud of you keep up the good work
Greg
Former NFL Defensive Linesman
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Summer time fun!
My Personal Journey Part 2
Preston loves the summer time like any other child, because they get to play. NO school! Unfortunately for Preston he has to still continue to patch. We have to get creative sometimes because he is a very active child. He skate boards, rides his dirt bike, rides his regular bike, and those are just some of the things that he enjoys doing that are unsafe for him to patch and do. When he plays his video games that is a great time for him to patch. His eye really has to work hard and that is great! The Doctor recommends that, how fun! And he can play that with his father. I love that because they get the father son bonding time.
He also loves to swim, and he can not wear his patch while swimming, and by the time he gets home he is so tired. when he patches it makes it difficult for him to see even the TV. I try to make him wear it in the morning before we leave and in the car going, he will give me a good fight sometimes, and I feel bad and so I sometimes say okay Preston, but when we get home you need to patch, and that doesn’t always happen. I get so mad at myself I just have to remind him and me the reason I make him patch is because I love him!
Preston loves the summer time like any other child, because they get to play. NO school! Unfortunately for Preston he has to still continue to patch. We have to get creative sometimes because he is a very active child. He skate boards, rides his dirt bike, rides his regular bike, and those are just some of the things that he enjoys doing that are unsafe for him to patch and do. When he plays his video games that is a great time for him to patch. His eye really has to work hard and that is great! The Doctor recommends that, how fun! And he can play that with his father. I love that because they get the father son bonding time.
He also loves to swim, and he can not wear his patch while swimming, and by the time he gets home he is so tired. when he patches it makes it difficult for him to see even the TV. I try to make him wear it in the morning before we leave and in the car going, he will give me a good fight sometimes, and I feel bad and so I sometimes say okay Preston, but when we get home you need to patch, and that doesn’t always happen. I get so mad at myself I just have to remind him and me the reason I make him patch is because I love him!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Forward letter from Dr. DeSantis
Amblyopia is the leading cause of blindness in children. It is one hundred percent treatable with early detection and intervention. Successful intervention often depends on patching or occlusion of the better eye. By bringing awareness, understanding, and community support for amblyopia and its treatment, Carmen Swick’s books will hopefully help children to accept their own patches or encourage support of one another to patch faithfully when necessary, thus helping to improve amblyopia outcomes. I applaud Ms. Swick’s efforts to this end and congratulate her son Preston for being an inspiration to his mother and to children who are faced with amblyopia themselves or in a friend or family member.
Dr. Diana DeSantis
Dr. Diana DeSantis
Friday, October 17, 2008
East Coast Aunt Sandy
I want to say that I decided to post this email as part of my blog instead of in the comment spot. My Aunt Sandy had wrote me this email. I just wanted to post it and let all of you have a chance to read it. She is a very warm kind person and it shows through her kind words. I have not heard or spoken to her in such a long time to long! She heard about Preston's eye issues through my blog. This email just made me want to get my book into print soon as possible! There are other children and adults that have to patch that have not been diagnosed with Ambloypia. Low vision can happen in so many differnt ways. I will make sure that when my books get published that Aaron gets a copy of Patch Land. Here is the email below.
Hi Carmen,
So sorry to hear about the trying times you and Yorkk have had to endear with your super trooper Preston. It must be very hard for you as parents to be forced to try and make progress while knowing it is creating pain and discomfort. I am sure you are on top of this and your little guy will overcome this bump in the road. It is great that he is given the opportunity to carry on with all of his activities right along with the rest of his friends. It is most important that you continue to search out the best pediatric doctors. It sounds like you have found a good match for Preston and research confirms if this diagnosis is treated before the age of 10 the results are very favorable-so hang in there!
Our little guy in Connecticut (Aaron) has also endured eye complications. He had a very bad eye injury when he was 4yrs old and now he is 6yrs and had 4 surgery's and the Doctors have decided it is the best it will be. He caught his eye on a hanger in the children's dept of Old Navy and it completely ripped his eye lid off--this involved surgery to reattach muscle, repair tear ducts, and of course many days of patch's and drops. He also is a super trooper and proving to be another resilient amazing young man. He will never have 20/20 in fact he is at 20/80 like Preston was. Well you be sure to patch if that is recommend by your new doctor. I am sure it is tough but it sounds like he has a wonderful Mom and Dad that will be cheering him on every step of the way.
I cant wait to read your books, It sounds like great therapy and a terrific idea!
Love Aunt Sandy
Hi Carmen,
So sorry to hear about the trying times you and Yorkk have had to endear with your super trooper Preston. It must be very hard for you as parents to be forced to try and make progress while knowing it is creating pain and discomfort. I am sure you are on top of this and your little guy will overcome this bump in the road. It is great that he is given the opportunity to carry on with all of his activities right along with the rest of his friends. It is most important that you continue to search out the best pediatric doctors. It sounds like you have found a good match for Preston and research confirms if this diagnosis is treated before the age of 10 the results are very favorable-so hang in there!
Our little guy in Connecticut (Aaron) has also endured eye complications. He had a very bad eye injury when he was 4yrs old and now he is 6yrs and had 4 surgery's and the Doctors have decided it is the best it will be. He caught his eye on a hanger in the children's dept of Old Navy and it completely ripped his eye lid off--this involved surgery to reattach muscle, repair tear ducts, and of course many days of patch's and drops. He also is a super trooper and proving to be another resilient amazing young man. He will never have 20/20 in fact he is at 20/80 like Preston was. Well you be sure to patch if that is recommend by your new doctor. I am sure it is tough but it sounds like he has a wonderful Mom and Dad that will be cheering him on every step of the way.
I cant wait to read your books, It sounds like great therapy and a terrific idea!
Love Aunt Sandy
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Our dog Beau
Preston's eye patch buddy
Preston and his eye Doctor
Eye Exam
Preston and Beau Eye Patching
Eye Patch Buddies