The Joy of Gifts
The holidays and other special occasions are an important part of our culture, but they can be stressful for children with visual impairments and blindness. Often, routines change and children find themselves in less familiar settings and around new people. How can you give your child the opportunity to experience the joy of giving and receiving gifts, without overwhelming their senses with wrapping paper, bows, and the excitement of Christmas morning?
 
HERE are some proven strategies from A Shared Vision's co-founder and EI-TVI Paula Landry to put the joy back into gift giving and receiving for you and your child.

Need a last-minute gift idea? Check out our teachers' recommendations HERE!
Bake Gingerbread Men Cookies
In the classic fairy tale a baker makes a gingerbread man, who jumps out of the oven and runs right out the door. Well, this sensory recipe makes these cookies also come alive with all the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of baking this holiday treat. You can even talk about the gingerbread man’s body parts as you decorate the cookies with frosting or candy.

With each step, we provide sensory suggestions for you to try with your child. Try the recipe HERE.
Girl Scouts Support A Shared Vision's Families
Girl Scout Troop 60035 is earning their Silver Award by supporting A Shared Vision’s families. They built 10 sensory boards, 10 toy bars, and 11 book bags which were presented to A Shared Vision’s families during the troop’s December 4th meeting in Aurora, CO.
 
The Silver Award is the highest award in scouting for sixth, seventh or eighth grade Cadettes. They chose to support A Shared Vision to make an impact in their community and learn how blindness and visual impairment affect very young children in Colorado.
 
“Very young children with blindness or visual impairment learn using all their senses. The sensory boards and toy bars encourage them to reach out and interact with their environment. Book bags include the book and objects related to the story so they can understand the words by listening to the story and touching the objects,” explained Janet Anderson from A Shared Vision. Janet coordinated the project with the Girl Scouts, and she and another teacher, Maggie Tutt, attended the presentation.
 
A Shared Vision parents were touched by these gifts. "This brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet and thoughtful project!” Thank you, Troop 60035!
Thank You to Our Donors

Thank you to everyone who donated to A Shared Vision on Colorado Gives Day! These gifts will help us ensure appropriate compensation and support for our teachers and further our impact of identifying and supporting families with young children who are blind or visually impaired.
 
"Our teacher from A Shared Vision has given us education, support, and tools so we can take control of our child's overwhelming vision diagnosis. We will forever be grateful for the positive impact that A Shared Vision has had in our lives."
 
It’s not too late to support A Shared Vision for the 2022 tax season! Remember, your cash gift qualifies for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. Half of your qualifying donation is offset dollar-for-dollar against your Colorado incomes taxes --- 50%! You may also deduct your fully qualifying contribution on your federal income taxes if you itemize deductions.
A Shared Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading provider of in-home and community early intervention vision services in Colorado. We inspire and empower families to nurture the development of their very young children who are blind or visually impaired so that all children may discover their brightest future.
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