Antony's Christmas Gift

“Being with Can:Do 4Kids since Antony was a baby has been life changing. We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Can:Do team.”

Hi, my name is Christina and I am the proud mum of 16 year old Antony. Antony is legally blind and we have been part of the Can:Do family since he was born. Life would have been very different without Can:Do 4Kids in our lives, and we have supporters like you to thank for that.

It was my own son, Antony who inspired me to work with children like him in the blind and vision impairment education sector. However, it has not been an easy journey…

During my pregnancy with Antony, there was no indication of
any problem. I was so excited to meet my baby.

When Antony was born, my husband and I noticed he wasn’t opening his eyes like most other babies. Our world was instantly turned upside down, as we were thrust into a complex medical system. There were so many tests, we
were very anxious. He was just a tiny baby – 3 weeks old when he was diagnosed with Microphthalmia.

Microphthalmia is a condition where the eye doesn’t grow to its full size. Our precious baby boy was blind. Antony would live in this big world with no vision in his left eye and minimal vision in his right. Nothing could have prepared us for this.

Thankfully, Can:Do 4Kids were there with us, from diagnosis to today. Sixteen years ago if you had told me I would be sharing with you that my blind child is reaching their full potential and beyond, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Can:Do 4Kids has walked with us, side by side, for 16 years.

Supporting and encouraging Antony to be the best version of him as he grew up, and my goodness, I am so proud to be his Mum and witness him overcome every barrier in life.

At just 16, Antony is an accomplished composer who plays piano and flute, he famously gave a speech at the Can:Do 4Kids Dinner in the Dark, not leaving a dry eye in the room. Our young composer wrote the “Braille Minuet” in 2020 and came 1st Place in Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) Young Composers Awards – South Australian Chapter.

He has developed into a bright and motivated teenager, with high musical aspirations, and now suggesting to all a career in politics. Look out!

All of this he was able to achieve through access to the right assistive technology, for example a BrailleNote, which is like a braille smartphone and is what Antony uses instead of writing in an exercise book like a typical student.

However, perhaps his greatest passion, is his desire to advocate for accessibility within the community.

While out and about Antony can struggle when people jump over his white cane. That said, we know that Can:Do 4Kids has prepared him with the tools to cope with a multitude of scenarios wherever he is.

The Can:Do 4Kids orientation and mobility services support children with low vision or blindness to independently access and travel within their home and community, are really important to us (and Antony).

As is ensuring Antony can be a “normal” teenager. And we don’t just mean arguing with his siblings! Things like how to hold his body when having a photo taken – dancing in a TikTok video. Or gesturing – things other teenagers would simply mimic.

To us, Can:Do 4Kids means we’ve given Antony the best start in life possible. Thanks to them, we know anything is possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for supporting kids like Antony. We all hope you appreciate just how much your support means to South Australian families like mine.

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas,