New member - new photos

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone, I'm . I'm 21 years old and I have BPES. I never realized

there were so many other people out there who have eyes just like me! My mom

just told me about this group and I'm pretty excited about it. Since a lot of

people in this group seem to be curious parents who don't know what to expect

having a child with BPES, I'd like to share what my experiences have been.

For the majority of my life, having unique eyes hasn't even been an issue. I

wasn't brought up any differently because of it, and therefore I had no reason

to believe I was different than anyone else. I did have two surgeries (at ages

2 1/2 and 6), and I only remember the second one. I don't have any traumatic

memories or anything of that nature from it. I got a walkman as a gift, that's

really what I remember most. And I've always thought that it was pretty neat

that I have a scar on my leg from eye surgery. That one baffles people! Those

who are hesitant about surgery though, I would just like to say that just from

my own personal experiences, it's not really a huge deal. If it can eliminate

some of the chances of the dreaded " what's wrong with your eyes " question, then

I would seriously consider it. That is the only thing that I have really

struggled with at all regarding my eyes - I am sensitive to that question. I

recently started substitute teaching elementary students, and I have gotten

asked that exact question from my students at least eight times in two weeks.

Aside from a remark here or there, I haven't really been asked that question

since back when I was IN elementary school, and I would really be okay if no one

ever asked me that question ever again. But it is a reality that people seem to

feel the need to ask it, so I guess I would just say that that is really the

only negative thing that I have encountered having BPES. I was complaining

about the questions to my mother when I was visiting home this past weekend, and

she brought up a very good point. She asked, " has having eyes like this

prevented you from doing anything in your life? " The answer is, of course not.

I'm a senior in college right now, a few months away from student teaching and I

will graduate in April with a 3.80 GPA. I studied abroad in Spain for half a

year, because I'm a Spanish major. I was very active in high school with the

pom-pon squad and band. I've never had a problem making friends or fitting in,

and I would have to say that I'm pretty " normal. " So I guess I would just like

to offer a message of hope to all those who are worrying about the implications

of BPES right now.

I have uploaded a collection of photos entitled " - newborn to age 21 " and

I tried to show a progression of my eyes throughout my life. I do jump from age

8 to age 18, but my eyes didn't change a whole lot in those years.

I encourage anyone who has any questions at all to contact me.

McManus