Wilder Gets the Visual Support He Needs from VIPS and PDS Optical
Bethany, A VIPS mom, recently shared Wilder’s story with us as he is soon aging out of our program, where they have been working with Tammy Maynard, one of our Developmental Interventionists.
Wilder was one of the many VIPS kids who took advantage of a program offered by PDS Optical. In March, PDS visited VIPS and provided a free pair of prescription eyeglasses and free fittings to any children in our program. PDS also has a voucher program for those who can’t attend the fittings.
Thank you, Bethany, for sharing Wilder’s story. We love seeing our VIPS kids thrive!
Wilder was born at 36 weeks and spent 21 days in the NICU—this is where our journey began.
At just five months old, Wilder was diagnosed with concerns related to his head shape and facial alignment, requiring him to wear a cranial helmet until nine months of age. During this time, our schedule was intense. We traveled to Cincinnati three times a week for helmet adjustments, while also attending physical therapy twice a week at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana for torticollis, a condition that affects neck positioning.
Throughout these early appointments, additional concerns arose regarding Wilder’s eye alignment. Initially, providers believed this might be related to his head shape. However, after further evaluation and a second opinion at Shriners in Lexington, we learned that Wilder had significant farsightedness and required corrective lenses. Both of his eyes showed signs of misalignment, making early intervention critical. Since then, we have continued care with Shriners every six months and have been incredibly grateful for their expertise and compassion.
In addition to physical and vision-related care, Wilder has participated in multiple early intervention services, including speech therapy through Kentucky Early Intervention Services, as well as previous occupational, developmental, and feeding therapies. One of the most impactful additions to his care team has been vision therapy through VIPS.
Through VIPS, we were introduced to simple yet highly effective strategies to support Wilder’s visual development in everyday life. Activities like interactive games, visual organization tools, and adjustments to his AAC device have made a meaningful difference. These supports have helped us better understand how Wilder sees and interacts with the world.
As Wilder prepared to transition out of First Steps, VIPS connected us with PDS Optical to ensure he would continue receiving the visual support he needed. With their help, we were able to obtain customized glasses designed specifically for Wilder—including light-sensitive lenses to accommodate his sensitivity to bright environments. The process was seamless, and the level of care and coordination was exceptional.
Today, Wilder is thriving with the support of his therapies and adaptive tools. His glasses have made a noticeable difference in his comfort and engagement, especially outdoors and in brightly lit settings.
We are deeply grateful to the teams at VIPS and PDS Optical for their dedication, guidance, and genuine care. Their support has played a vital role in Wilder’s progress and continues to make a lasting impact on our family’s journey.
