Cortical Visual Impairment with The Red Balloon Foundation ( www.redballoon.org )

Christine Roman Lantzy, Ph.D.

Director, Pediatric VIEW Program, The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh

June 17, 2024

It is the first day of the CVI training. This will be a marathon with multiple forms of training occurring, some at the same time. There is a 6-day intro course that includes essential principles of assessment and intervention. Additionally, a follow up group from the 2021 training returning to demonstrate and refine their CVI Range skills. In week #2, there are a series of day-long workshops used to focus on CVI topics such as literacy, numeracy, parent support, and building interventions associated with CVI Range Phases. It is exciting and an honor to take on this important responsibility.

(Getting set up)

I had to chuckle to see the participants file into the conference center wearing winter jackets and even boots. It is the dead of winter here in South Africa with weather that is quite chilly in the morning and evening; it is dark by 5:30 PM. Lindsay and I begged to have the heat turned off, but many locals in the conference room were dressed like people watching a football game. The midday temperature was 65 degrees.

We began our presentations with an acknowledgement of our places of employment. It was with great pride that I talked about the history of Pediatric VIEW and its current home. The participants in the audience literally gasped as I described the unique programs of The Children’s Home including Pediatric VIEW. Professionals from another continent seemed genuinely interested in our PVP information brochures, CVI information cards, and business cards. The attendees include individuals who have backgrounds in physical/physio therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, educational psychology, optometry, and ophthalmology. Parents will be present for sessions in week 2. The start time is 9AM and ending time is 5PM, also known as 17:00. Lunch is cooked by local staff and there are 2 tea breaks in the day. Lovely.

During one of the breaks (tea) I had a chance to chat with a few women about the excitement of seeing animals in the national parks. I was flabbergasted to learn that many people who live in South Africa have a ho-hum attitude when it comes to seeing an elephant, rhino, giraffe and the rest. I told them how important it is to tell the truth, but I sort of “got it” when one woman asked me if I had ever seen a raccoon in real life. Elephant…racoon, hippo…racoon, leopard…racoon, sure, right, what????

(Some of the workshop participants)

I must update some of my presentation materials this evening, but it will be with the effort of a person who battles jet lag (I try to deny it), time zone confusion, and anxiety regarding power shut down. Tomorrow Lindsay and I will begin teaching The CVI Range. The mission is clear and so I will dig deep and get to work.

CVI Workshop 2024 Agenda Week 1

CVI Workshop 2024 Agenda Week 2