When Amy Holtzclaw was referred to Dr. Rick Graebe, a behavioral optometrist in Versailles, Kentucky, she was skeptical. Her daughter Emily, a fourth-grader struggling with math despite being a good reader and wearing corrective glasses, didn’t seem like a typical candidate for vision therapy. Amy thought she was getting the runaround. How could an eye doctor help her child excel in math?
Yet, a few years later, Emily was thriving in school, and Amy herself was working alongside Dr. Graebe. This transformation not only impacted Emily’s success but inspired Amy to become a Vision Therapy trainer. Here’s how their story unfolded.
A Mother’s Relentless Pursuit
Amy was determined not to give up on Emily. Her daughter was bright but clumsy, which Amy attributed to Emily being tall for her age. However, after testing with Dr. Graebe, it was discovered that Emily’s vision issues were far more complex. Emily was struggling with eye convergence and teaming, meaning her eyes were not working together properly. She was seeing double, but she didn’t even realize it.
Immediate Results from Vision Therapy
Dr. Graebe prescribed Emily a new pair of glasses and 30 sessions of Vision Therapy. The results were almost immediate. Emily noticed a change on the very first day, telling her mother, “I ran up the steps without looking at them, and I didn’t have to hold on to the railing.”
This newfound confidence spilled over into Emily’s academic life. Her grades quickly improved from C’s and D’s in math to consistent A’s. She also became more outgoing and engaged at school, shedding the shell she had hidden behind.
A Teacher Turned Vision Therapy Trainer
As an experienced elementary school teacher, Amy was deeply invested in children’s success. That’s why, when Dr. Graebe asked if she wanted to become a Vision Therapy trainer, she jumped at the opportunity. Although it meant driving 90 minutes from Lincoln County to the Children’s Vision and Learning Center in Versailles after a full day of teaching, Amy was motivated by a desire to help other parents and children facing similar struggles.
“My passion is to help children,” Amy says. “I know what it’s like as a parent to cry yourself to sleep because your child is struggling. If I can help another parent going through that, absolutely I will. This is a great job.”
Schedule an Eye Exam Today to Unlock Your Child’s Potential
Emily’s story is one of many examples that highlight the life-changing impact of Vision Therapy. Under the guidance of Dr. Rick Graebe, children like Emily can overcome challenges they didn’t even know they had and unlock their full potential both in and out of the classroom.
If your child is struggling with schoolwork, coordination, or confidence, a comprehensive eye exam could be the key to their success. To schedule an appointment at our Versailles or Somerset locations, call us at 859-879-0089 today!
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.