Westport Lions Club

Harvey Blair “is proof that with early diagnosis and the right intervention, children with vision loss can be set up for success—and given every chance to shine alongside their peers.”Photo Credit: Stacy Murray

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

Helen Keller challenged Lions at the 1925 International Convention held in Cedar Point, Ohio, to be “Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”. Since then, Lions all over the world have been working to eradicate eye disease and improve people’s vision. 

The Westport Lions, under the initiative of Lion Jim McGlade, started screening students for vision problems at the two Westport elementary schools in 2007.  Since that time, the club has recommended to countless parents that they should seek an optometrist’s assessment for their child. The Lion team tests for colour blindness and examines students using a vision chart and the Stereo Fly Test, which determines gross stereopsis and fine depth perception. This year, the Lions will test grades one, five, and eight at St. Edward, and grades one, three, and six at Rideau Vista.  All three tests are administered in one room, and results are kept strictly confidential. 

Early detection of eye problems is crucial for the well-being of a child. If you suspect your child has eye issues, take action and schedule an appointment with an optometrist. The Westport Lions Club will provide financial assistance for an examination, glasses, or transportation to an optometrist if needed.

Stacy Murray, mother of Harvey Blair, shares how early intervention helped her son adapt to vision loss.  Here is her story: 

When Harvey was just two months old, we began to notice that his eyes were a little “shaky” and that he didn’t focus on objects the way we expected. During tummy time, unlike his twin brother Archie—who eagerly lifted his head and looked around—Harvey would simply rest his head on the pillow. His vision wasn’t drawing him toward curiosity the way it should have.

Our concerns led us from our regular optometrist to the ophthalmology department at CHEO, where we learned that those “shaky eyes” had a name: Nystagmus. Further testing revealed that Harvey’s retinas lacked pigment, resulting in a clinical diagnosis of ocular albinism. By the time he was a year old, Harvey began showing signs of esotropia (where his eyes turned inward at different times), which eventually led to double strabismus surgery at age 2.5. After the surgery, his doctor was able to prescribe glasses—now Harvey’s most treasured accessory. While his pale retinas mean his vision will never be crisp and clear (his vision is currently 20/125 with his glasses on), his glasses work like magnifiers, making objects bigger and easier for him to see.

Following our first CHEO visit, I reached out to CNIB to learn how I could best support Harvey in meeting milestones alongside Archie. Through their early intervention program with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, we were able to self-refer Harvey to low vision services. Almost immediately, he had a full team around him: a vision specialist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, social worker, and mobility specialist. This support has been truly life-changing—not only helping Harvey thrive, but also giving our entire family the tools and knowledge to understand his condition and embrace the different ways he experiences the world.

Today, Harvey is an energetic, determined four-year-old who has worked hard to adapt and grow. In fact, if you didn’t know about his vision challenges, you might never guess. His story is proof that with early diagnosis and the right intervention, children with vision loss can be set up for success—and given every chance to shine alongside their peers.