Deaf-Blindness Overview

Kase Dominic is 5 years old. His deaf-blindness is due to polymircogyria bilateral frontal lobes. He communicates primarily using American Sign Language and pictures on an iPad. He goes to a preschool school for the Deaf and hard of hearing.

Kase joined his family as a foster baby when he was 4 days old and they adopted him when he was 2 1/2. He loves Sesame Street, books, and his family. Kase is one of kind—quirky, funny, loving, caring, determined, strong, and courageous. Sometimes uncooperative, but nothing less than perfection.

Miles is a happy four-year-old who loves to cuddle, swing, swim, and hang out with his big brother Liam. He is deaf-blind as a result of a rare, randomly occurring genetic mutation called CDKL5. In Miles, the condition has caused epilepsy, cortical visual impairment, cortical hearing impairment, low muscle tone, and physical and cognitive delays.

Miles' mom and dad find ways to adapt family and peer activities to engage his senses and make sure he is always included. Trips to the zoo are opportunities to experience different smells and sensations. At trampoline parks, he can use his wheelchair on the trampoline (with permission) as his family jumps beside him to provide vestibular input. It's great for Miles and makes family activities meaningful and fun.

Laci, who is 13, has CHARGE syndrome. She lives in Texas with her mom and dad. Laci has a cochlear implant and communicates using spoken language. Her parents would love for her learn to sign in the future.

Laci's favorite hobbies are biking, exercising, swimming, hanging out with her cousin Abby, playing video games, Harry Potter, taking trips to the beach, and reading. She is proud to say she has had 30 surgeries and currently feels great!

Liam is in the 5th grade. He was born with typical vision and hearing and became deaf-blind after getting sick with meningitis when he was 2 1/2. He is a braille reader and his first language is American Sign Language (ASL). He uses tactile ASL receptively.  

Liam is a happy, social, and busy boy. You will always find him with a big smile on his face. He loves being around people, going to school, reading braille, and math. Some of his favorite activities are going for walks or swimming, and getting new braille books!

Devin is a 16-year-old high school sophomore. His deaf-blindness is due to Mosaic Trisomy 22. He is caring and loving and has a contagious smile that lights up a room. He is surrounded by family that includes cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and his mom!

Devin loves to be outside riding his AMBUCS bike or playing baseball, hanging out with his peers at school and home, and socializing and talking to other people (he uses sign language to communicate). He is very chatty! One day each week, he goes to the Sedgwick County Zoo where he works by cleaning statues and assisting with other tasks (and socializing!).

Krishangi, who lives in Texas, is 10 years old and in the 4th grade. She has Usher Syndrome Type 3B.

When you see this bubbly social butterfly, you will not know that the girly girl who loves singing, dancing, playing with her dolls, and mommy’s makeup aspires to meet Malala one day and work alongside her to promote education for each and every girl in this world. She believes she can achieve whatever she works hard for and isn't scared of challenges. Her hero is her brother Aryan. She gives world’s best hugs and loves making everyone laugh and feel happy.

Aryan, who lives in Texas, is 14 years old and in the 8th grade. He has Usher Syndrome Type 3B. He is a sweet, caring, kind soul who has always been the mature and responsible older brother to his younger sister Krishangi.

A sure way to become Aryan's friend is to engage him in trivia and ask his opinion on world events. He is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the video and broadcasting team at his school. He wants to become a lawyer, advocate for the special needs community, and work towards making the world a better place. Aryan is obsessed with "Hamilton" and when he's not rapping Hamilton lyrics, reading, or irritating his sister, he is playing with Legos or video games, or learning to cook from mom.

Parker, who has CHARGE syndrome is almost 12 years old and in the 6th grade. He has a sister, Piper (age 9), and brother, Pierson (age 5).  Both love playing with Parker and introducing him to new activities. Things Parker loves include drawing and an after school dance class called "Dancing Dreams," that provides dance classes and performance opportunities to children with medical and physical challenges.

Parker has opened up his family to a richness and diversity that surpasses their culture, religion, beliefs, and values. He has exposed them to a beautiful world of possibility through adversity and a bittersweet journey of strength through unexpected challenges. They celebrate every day the way he shows them how to stop and enjoy the littlest of things.