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| Success Stories Our journey through vision therapy with our son began when he was in teh second grade. His teachers were helpful in getting him tested so he could get the help he needed. After running all the tests they could, he was found to be learning disabled. No ADD/ADHD or Dyslexia. He was able to have an IEP and go to the IRC room for help in reading, english and spelling. This was the end of the school year so summer school was a must, yet didn't really help. Layne started third grade the way he ended second grade, in the IRC room and frustrated he couldn't be at the same level the rest of his class was at. I once again took him to the eye doctor and was told his eyes were fine; he needed to be worked with more. Not the answer we wanted. I took it upon myself to get help for our son. With the help of the internet, I found a doctor in Kansas City who I contacted and she was more than willing to set up an exam. Right away, Layne was put in reading glasses and found out his learning problems was his vision, not that he was dumb. (It's hard to convince a child of that after so many failures in the classroom.) So in March of 2004, we began a weekly trip to Kansas City for vision therapy. We continued this for one year and had been thinking of taking Layne our of therapy because he seemed to be benefiting some but not showing it in the classroom. We had pretty much figured by the time he got out of school and arrived for therapy, he was too tired to get the whole benefit of therapy. Luckily, we were told about Dr. Metzger and after visiting with them, we wanted Layne to finish what he started and hoped the shorter trip to and from would be most helpful. He also was happy that it was only him in the session instead of three or four. By this time, he had gone through most of his fourth grade year in vision therapy and was showing progress in the IRC room, so we made the decision to pull him out of the IRC starting his fifth grade year. He had started with Jean in May so he had the whole summer to make improvements. And improvements he made. Being able to work one on one with Jean and bringing home work for us to help him with make a big difference. He didn't have that with the other doctor. We completed therapy in January 2006. Layne is keeping his grades where we feel he is able to do well in school. It is harder this year without an IEP and extra help, but he has been doing very good. Much more important is that he is proud of himself and has more confidence. He has himself, Jean, Dr. Metzger and us to thank for that! The Crabtree Family |
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| Jordan has gained improvement in several areas through the summer months - during which time he has been taking vision therapy. He frequently picks up the newspaper, catalogs and magazines to read and will answer his own questions by reading instead of asking someone else. He is spelling and pronouncing words more accurately, and in general, he spends much more time reading than he used to. He is also making an effort to become more skillful in playing ball games and shows more initiative in completing his homework and also doing chores at home. A big thank you to Jean, Dr. Metzger and other staff members for our kindness, diligence and enthusiasm while working with Jordan. Jordan's Mother |
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| I like that I learned to cross my eyes. I also like that things don't come off the page when I am reading anymore. In the beginning, my eyes watered on most of the activities and now they don't. I didn't like the stories I had to read at the first part. My favorite things to do at vision therapy were the trampoline, computer games and the lights. I have higher self-esteem, and I feel more confident. I am also able to handle stress better. Connor |
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| Being in college is enough of a challenge without having to worry about my eyes. I took V.T. mostly over the summer between my senior year in High School and freshman year in college. I don’t think I would be doing as well in college if it wasn’t for vision therapy. I love to read now and what I do read I comprehend. I also can finish whatever I’m reading in less than half the time it took me before V.T. I used to not really care about school (not that I did bad) and when I had to read, I’d try anyway to get out of it. Not I probably read an average an hour and a half every day (when I have the time). I love to read even if it is just for the pleasure of reading. However, I know that if it wasn’t for my mother, Dr. Metzger, and especially Jean, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I probably wouldn’t have made it though some of my classes without it. And to be honest, the first time I sat down (after my V.T. was done) and read a 200 page book in about 2 hours I cried. All because I didn’t think I’d ever be the person to say “I’ll be there in a minute. Let me finish reading.” And, I love saying that!! I know that may sound crazy coming from a college student but vision therapy changed my life. My eyes are my life because ¾ of my work and college homework is reading! I would definitely suggest it to anyone who has trouble like I had! Thanks you Dr. Metzger and Jean for not giving up on me! I can’t say that enough. Thanks a bunch, Jessica |
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| Before vision therapy, our son Kegan struggled terribly with reading and wouldn't dream of reading at home for fun. Now our son will pick up books and read to himself or even his little sister. Throughout the course of vision therapy, Kegan has said things like, "I can see so much better or I can read so much better." His self-confidence is much higher in the classroom and at home. His teacher this year has mentioned to me that she noticed that his anxiety and frustration level has all but diminished as the year has progressed. Another benefit of vision therapy has been Kegan's coordination has improved. Kegan loves sports and is very talented so he feels like this was the best thing about vision therapy. Kegan's Mom |
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| A Mom’s testimony on her son’s eye therapy journey Before therapy, J.T. wouldn’t ever pick up a book and read it without a huge melt down! Reading was very hard for him. He’d leave words out, loose his spot and his fluency was anything but fluent. Since therapy, his night stand is FILLED with devotions, books, comics and magazines. He is actually ASKING for an extended bed time so he can read. His fluency is still a bit choppy BUT he has a desire for learning not and confidence in his self. He went from a boy held back in 2nd grade to a boy who received two Exemplary Performance and one President’s Education awards in 4th grade. I’d say reading therapy is a blessing and helps so much! Thanks Metzgers for all you do! |
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| To read more vision therapy success stories, visit visiontherapystories.org. |
| Success Story Articles |
| A New Vision For Garrett |
| The New Hope Through Vision Therapy |
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| “25% of students in grades K-6 have visual problems that are serious enough to impede learning.” American Public Health Association |
| “When vision problems go undetected, children almost invariably have trouble reading and doing their schoolwork. They often display fatigue, fidgeting, and frustrations in the classroom—traits that can lead to a misdiagnosis of dyslexia or other learning disabilities.” American Optometric Association |