When Lori Stone, a mother from Winchester, Kentucky, found herself in nightly battles with her six-year-old son Kyle over homework, she became increasingly worried about his academic future. Despite Kyle being able to answer spelling words correctly aloud, when it came time to write them down, he would fidget and become frustrated. Lori grew even more concerned when his teacher suggested that Kyle might need to repeat kindergarten.
Seeking answers, Lori took Kyle to two occupational therapists, but neither found any issues. Frustrated, Lori decided to move Kyle to Calvary Christian School, where his new teacher raised a simple yet pivotal question: “Have you checked his eyes?”
At first, Lori was taken aback. After all, Kyle had already passed a routine eye exam, and the optometrist had confirmed he had 20/20 vision. However, when Lori learned about Behavioral Optometrist Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, she decided to take a deeper look into Kyle’s vision.
A Surprising Discovery: More Than Just 20/20 Vision
During the examination, Dr. Graebe quickly noticed that Kyle’s right eye wasn’t properly tracking movements, which was likely contributing to his struggles with reading and writing. Although Kyle’s eyesight appeared fine on a basic level, his visual tracking—an essential skill for reading and learning—was impaired. Dr. Graebe explained that Kyle’s vision could be improved through a specialized program called Vision Therapy.
Lori was relieved to have found a solution, but there was one obstacle—the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute was located in Versailles, and the Stones lived in Winchester. Despite the long drive and a commitment to 30 therapy sessions, Lori knew she had to give it a try for Kyle’s sake.
Vision Therapy: A Life-Changing Journey
At first, Lori was skeptical. The drive from Winchester to Versailles was long, especially after a full day of work. But she knew Kyle needed help, and Dr. Graebe assured her that Vision Therapy could make a difference. Just eight sessions in, the results were already noticeable. Kyle’s teacher reported significant improvements in his reading, and Lori began to feel hopeful for the first time in months.
As Kyle continued through the program, his academic performance improved dramatically. By the end of the 30 sessions, his reading scores had soared, and his teacher was amazed at the transformation. Kyle, who once dreaded school and struggled with even the simplest assignments, was now thriving.
More Than Just Academic Success
The changes in Kyle weren’t limited to the classroom. Lori noticed that her son’s mood had shifted. The once cranky and frustrated child was now happier, more confident, and even excited about going to school. Before Vision Therapy, Kyle would often cry on the way to school, overwhelmed by the challenges he faced. Now, those tears were gone, replaced with a newfound joy for learning.
Kyle’s success even caught the attention of the teachers at Calvary Christian School, who were so impressed that they invited Dr. Graebe to speak to the staff about the benefits of Vision Therapy. His work has since made a lasting impact not just on Kyle but on many other children struggling with undiagnosed vision issues.
Help Your Child Thrive with Vision Therapy
For parents like Lori, Vision Therapy with Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD was the answer to solving her child’s academic struggles. If your child is having difficulty with reading, writing, or even paying attention in school, it may be more than just behavior or learning issues—it could be a vision problem.
Dr. Graebe and his team at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute have been helping children from across Central and Southern Kentucky for years, with locations in Versailles serving the greater Lexington area and Somerset. Don’t wait to get the help your child needs to reach their full potential.
Call us today at 859-879-0089 to learn more about how Vision Therapy can make a difference for your child.
Credit:
This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.