Meet Shaylee
Since she was four months old, Shaylee and her younger sister, Cheyenne, have been raised by their grandparents, Kimberly Griffin and William Murray. They are lucky girls!

Shaylee was diagnosed with cortical visual impairment due to a non-accidental head trauma that occurred while she was living with her birth parents. Kimberly is now raising Shaylee as if she were her own child.

She began working with her Early Intervention Teacher of the Visually Impaired from A Shared Vision in 2020. “Our teacher is so awesome. She gave us a light box to use during our telehealth visits, and I tell you, that’s the best thing ever. We put toys on it and Shaylee started grabbing the toys. Her attention was right on it,” explains Kimberly. In the beginning Kimberly would put too many toys on the light box, but her teacher taught Kimberly “how to allow Shaylee to make her own choice.” 

Because it’s a brain-based visual impairment, CVI can be an overwhelming diagnosis for many parents. Kimberly became more curious. “You don’t get discouraged if you empower yourself with the knowledge of what CVI is,” explains Kimberly. “It isn’t a terminal illness. It doesn’t mean your child is blind or they’ll never see. Once you’re not afraid of CVI, you can trust the process of your child’s development.”
NEW Sensory Recipe -- Cinnamon Apple Cake
When they first started cooking together, A Shared Vision’s co-founder and EI-TVI Paula Landry made this cake with her daughter Maddie, who is visually impaired. “She loved it!” said Paula. With only five ingredients, it’s easy to make and smells like cinnamon and apples. With each step, we provide sensory suggestions for you to try with your child. HERE is the recipe.
Our Favorite Holiday Gifts
A Shared Vision families often ask us for recommendations on what to buy their very young child who’s blind or visually impaired for Christmas. We’ve got the list of perfect sensory toys! HERE are some of our teachers’ favorites.

Although most can be bought online, don't forget the simple, unbreakable toys you already have in your kitchen cupboard, like metal bowls, spoons, measuring cups, and stackable bowls with covers. They’re great for teaching cause and effect, for banging and stacking, and for putting one object inside another or removing the object. Your child can work on sensory efficiency and their fine motor skills, too, while learning many important concepts. 
Colorado Gives Day Is December 7
A Shared Vision is proud to participate in Colorado Gives Day for the fourth year in a row! Join thousands of Coloradans who support local nonprofits on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. This annual statewide movement celebrates philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Schedule your donation NOW.
Turn Grocery Bills into Donations

Thanks to the families who shop at King Soopers and City Market in Colorado, A Shared Vision receives nearly $500 every three months from Kroger. We are grateful for all who have signed up for the King Soopers/City Market Community Awards program, which donates a percentage of your grocery purchases to A Shared Vision at no cost to you. Learn how to sign up for this program HERE and support Colorado’s children who are blind or visually impaired.
A Shared Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading provider of in-home and community early intervention vision services in Colorado. We inspire and empower families to nurture the development of their very young children who are blind or visually impaired so that all children may discover their brightest future.
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