From Diagnosis to Community: Why I Share Our Story

When I first started this page @lifewithcateracts, my goal was simple: to show the reality of raising a child with a visual impairment. I wanted to help people see beyond a diagnosis and understand that blindness is not one-size-fits-all. Every child has their own personality, abilities and potential.

I also wanted to create a safe space for parents who are facing a diagnosis to find comfort, ask questions and know they are not alone. When you’re navigating something so life-changing, connecting with someone who truly understands can make all the difference.

Creating this page has connected us with so many incredible families across the world. Some are raising children with similar diagnoses, while others are visually impaired themselves and generously share their experiences and advice. Together, we celebrate every milestone, no matter how small it may seem to others, because we know just how much those moments mean.

If sharing our journey helps even one parent feel less alone, gives someone the confidence to ask questions, or changes the way people think about visual impairment, then this page is doing exactly what I hoped it would.

One of the biggest things this page has achieved is helping people understand that blindness isn’t the same for everyone. By sharing our everyday life, I’ve been able to challenge misconceptions and show that a blind child can still laugh, play, learn and achieve incredible things. A diagnosis doesn’t define a child’s future, and I hope our story encourages people to look beyond labels and see the child first.

One of the hardest parts of raising a blind child isn’t always the medical appointments or the diagnoses—it’s the emotional side that people don’t often see.

When we’re at soft play or the park, it’s often the looks and the curiosity that stand out. Children naturally ask questions like, “Why do her eyes turn like that?” or “Why is she holding things so close to her face?” I never mind children asking questions. In fact, I’d much rather they asked than made assumptions. Curiosity is natural, and those moments can become opportunities to teach understanding and acceptance.

But as a parent, it can still be a reminder that our journey is different.

Something else people don’t often talk about is how isolating it can feel. At playgroups or the park, many parents get the chance to sit with a coffee, chat and watch their children play. For me, that’s rarely possible. I’m constantly following Indie, helping her navigate unfamiliar spaces, encouraging her confidence and making sure she stays safe so she can enjoy herself just like every other child. It means I rarely get those moments to switch off or connect with other parents, and at times it can feel incredibly lonely.

Finding my people has been one of the most important parts of this journey.

Before creating this awareness page, I often felt like I was navigating a world that very few people truly understood. My friends and family have always been incredibly supportive, but it’s different talking to people who simply get it without you having to explain every feeling or every challenge.

This community has reminded me that I’m not alone. They’ve celebrated milestones that others might not realise are so significant, understood the worries that keep me awake at night, and reassured me that it’s okay to have difficult days too.

Having an online community hasn’t taken away the challenges, but it has made them feel so much less lonely. It has shown me the power of finding people who understand your journey, and why it’s so important that no parent feels they have to walk this path on their own.

If there’s one thing I hope people take away from our story, it’s this: blindness doesn’t define who a child is or what they’re capable of achieving. Every child deserves the opportunity to be seen for who they are, not just their diagnosis. And every parent deserves to know that, no matter how difficult the journey may feel, they never have to face it alone.

If you would like to read Sarah’s other blog post click here!

If you would like to follow Sarah and Indie’s awareness page click here!