Chip's story

“Some people label Chip as ‘disabled’... I say he’s a curious wanderer,” his mum Lori smiles.

But that smile wasn’t always as close to the surface for Lori, who describes her young family’s emotional journey as one of “grief, growth, and gratitude.”

By nine months old, genetic tests confirmed that Charles—or ‘Chip’ to his nearest and dearest—had Apert Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects how the bones grow. Next came an endless series of diagnoses and surgeries. 

Chip’s vision is one of many things impacted by his disabilities. “It’s like his eyes and brain aren’t talking to each other properly,” Lori says. “He reaches for things and misses. His brain misreads the signal.” At first, the diagnosis was a deep blow. “The certificate of vision impairment broke me,” she remembers. But Chip’s determination was infectious.

Lori quickly became a determined ‘go-getter’, always on the look out for new ways to support Chip. So, when a teacher mentioned Visably, Lori jumped at the chance to be part of our pilot project giving iPads to people living with sight loss in the North East of England with community health charity Healthworks.

It was a revelation. “We were thrilled,” she says, “it felt amazing.”

The iPad isn’t an add on, it’s built with and for Chip’s needs and has become part of who he is. With custom colour schemes, a direct link to his hearing aid, and personalised accessibility features, it helps Chip with everything from learning to settling to sleep.

With Visably by his side, Chip’s life is vibrant, full and connected.