“I’m a pretty Brave Person”
My name is Ewan. I live in Chesapeake, Virginia and am 14 years old. When I was three days old, I had multiple strokes and almost died. People says it’s a miracle that I’m alive.
I have cortical visual impairment, also known as CVI. It’s a condition that affects the back of my brain. Sometimes, because of my CVI, I have trouble recognizing new objects, faces, and fast-moving objects. People look like blurry blobs or cartoon characters that I can identify by their hair.
My dad researched the best CVI resources in the country, and he found Dr. Christine Roman and The Children’s Home.
While some people mistake my CVI as autism or blindness, I have 20/20 sight and a photographic memory. I walk with a cane, so I don’t bump into things or fall, and drive my electric tricycle in my neighborhood. I have never crashed once. I want to try new things the best I can. Maybe even drive a car someday.
I am a pretty brave person. I traveled to Paris and climbed the Eifel Tower. I have an orange belt in karate. My favorite colors are green and yellow, which are the easiest for me to see. I love to visit my neighbor Ophelia, who gives me donuts. I am an extrovert. I talk to and text almost 30 people every day.
Large crowds are difficult for me, because I can’t see every single thing around me. I need help when I’m tired. Repetition helps make my CVI easier.
I want to go to college to study tsunamis and earthquakes so people can be safer. My goal is to be fluent in Japanese by 2030 and live near Mt. Fuji, the 9th prettiest place in the world, by 2032. I love to watch YouTube videos of the Japanese culture.
Dr. Roman and Jonathan Graves work with me every time we travel to Pittsburgh. Even when my visual fatigue makes my brain sleepy. I point out differences in colorful photos, practice walking up and down staircases, and play outside on the adaptive playground. Because of them, my functional vision continues to improve.
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